How Much Clearance Should be Between Truck Bed Rail and Fifth Wheel Trailer Overhang

Question:

New fifth wheel/truck. Have 3.5 inch height difference between front and rear of fifth wheelnose being higher. Is this accceptable, as I’m getting it a little bit of sway? I have about 6 inch clearance on bed rails and at. 90 degree turn about 3inches. I have 16k Reese slider hitch- what should I do if anything ? Ordered Hellwig , it’s arriving today

asked by: Craig V

Expert Reply:

Ideally your trailer is sitting totally level when being towed and has a distance of 6 inches between the bed rails and the overhang of the trailer. Since your at 6 inches of clearance now and the trailer is 3.5 inches nose high only solution is to somehow add height to the trailer. You can do this by moving the axles below the leaf springs if they aren't already. Go with taller suspension hangers, or go with taller tires possibly.

Problem is you end up raising the center of gravity on the trailer which may not help with the sway you are experiencing. Does your truck have a lift on it or taller than stock tires? A lift or taller tires will make for a difficult time trying to tow a trailer level. You'd have to go back to stock height.

If moving the axles is an option you'd consider the diameter of your trailer axle will determine the size of the parts that you will need to order. If your axle is 3 inches diameter, the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit, # K71-385-00, would be a great choice and if your axle is 2-3/8 inch diameter you could use the Over-Under Kit, # K71-384-00. These kits can be installed without welding but the manufacturer strongly recommends having the new spring seat tacked in place on the other side of the trailer axle.

Some refer to this process as "flipping the axles," but since axle has a slight bow to it you can't just flip them and reinstall them under the springs using the same spring seats. You have to install new spring seats on the opposite side of the axle so that it can be moved below the spring.

expert reply by: Jameson C