How to Increase Clearance Between Truck Bed Rails and 5th Wheel Hitch Overhang

Question:

I have a 2008 F350 that I am pulling a 2006 Americamp 32’ 5th wheel. When I am hooked up I only have 2” of clearance between the truck bed sides and the trailer. I have ped the king pin as low as it can go and still using all 4 bolts on each side. How can I gain the additional clearance to get 5-6 “. I have searched and can not find taller 5th wheel hitches, nor taller king pin boxes. Any suggestions? Maybe you can find a product I need.

asked by: Brian A

Expert Reply:

You may have already done this but you will also want to make sure that the 5th wheel hitch itself on your 2008 Ford F-350 is adjusted to its highest setting.

The issue you are experiencing is becoming more and more common as truck bed rails seems to get taller with each subsequent model. If dropping the pin box on the trailer to its lowest setting and adjusting the hitch to its highest level does not give you any more clearance then a taller hitch might be the solution.

I am not sure how tall your current hitch is but the tallest fixed unit we have available is the Husky Silver Series 26K # HT31318-31325, which can be adjusted to up to 19-3/4 inches tall.

If this is still not enough to give you the 5-6 inches of recommended bed rail clearance then your next best option is to life the trailer. A great way to do this is with an Over-Under Conversion Kit as long as you have a 2-3/8 inch or 3 inch round axle with the leaf springs mounted underneath. This kit will allow you to move the leaf springs to the top of the axle which will lift the trailer by the combined height of the axle and leaf spring stack. This should give you the lift necessary to create enough clearance between the bed rails and trailer overhang.

If you have a 2-3/8 inch axle you will need the Over-Under Kit # K71-384-00 and for a 3 inch axle you need part # K71-385-00.

expert reply by: Chris R