Can Skid Wheels be Used to Help Keep 5th Wheel Trailer from Bottoming Out with Steep Driveway

Question

Question:

I have a 42 foot fifth wheel to park in a new driveway, according to my calculations, Ill be a couple of inches too low and Ill be bottoming out on my 10 sloped driveway. My fifth wheel is on dual axles, with a GVWR of 17,000. From the center of my front axle to the rear end of the frame is 168 inch and from the center of the rear axle is 127. When calculating pivot point Im going off the front axle which I hope is correct. I am hoping Item # UF48-979013 is a solution that will work in my case. It does not have a rating for fifth wheels but Im guessing the weight is within specs. Can you tell me if this item will work and/or if you have other options for me to consider?

asked by: Ron

0

Expert Reply:

You definitely can install the Ultra-Fab Skid Wheels # UF48-979013 on your 42' 5th wheel but it is worth noting that the wheel and caster plate measures 7-1/2" tall so if the 16-1/4" that you measured is from the frame rail then that means your ground clearance will be reduced to 8-3/4" which really isn't much at all.

If your frame sits below the skirting on your 5th wheel trailer then you should be able to use a shorter option like the Ultra-Fab Steel Micro-Roller # UF48-979021 which will only subtract about 4-3/16" then reducing your ground clearance to about 12".

Another option is to raise the height of your trailer. A great product to use for this (if your leaf springs sit under your axle) is the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit # K71-385-00 because it moves your leaf springs so they sit on top of your trailer axle which in turn increases your trailer height the equivalent of your axle diameter plus the height of your leaf spring stack. If your clearance is just a few inches then this added height will be more than enough clearance for you.

We also have suspension upgrades that can raise the height of your trailer like part # RR23QX or # LC1565391 which both raise the height 2".

Please keep in mind that if you do use something to lift your trailer then you will need to account for that at your 5th wheel hitch as well whether that means adjusting the pin box or 5th wheel hitch so that your trailer tows level.

expert reply by: Jon G

0

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Answer 1

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two…

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Answer 2

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from…

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Answer 3

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion…

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Answer 4

As long as the RBW Lil' Rocker mounts to industry standard base rails you'll need the Curt Adapter Rails #C29BR that fit in the OEM puck system on your 2019 Ram 2500 and give you a standard base rail connection. I'm attaching…

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Answer 5

The Ram OEM 5th wheel puck system, shown in the linked photo and article, was launched in 2013 so what you have in your truck is likely to be an aftermarket installation of some kind. These newer Ram trucks with the factory prep can directly accept…

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Answer 6

Hey John, Thanks for the purchases and you have everything you need except the wedge. I verified directly with Reese that the correct wedge to use with the Demco Recon 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch #DM8550043 and Reese Sidewinder #RP34FR is the…

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Answer 7

The Patriot Slider part #BWRVK3270 might be a bit more noisy than the Companion slider part #BWRVK3400 due to the increased number of mounting points, 4 at the corners vs. 1 in the center. Probably not that noticeable and certainly not something…

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Answer 8

So for your set up, a 2021 Ram 2500 short bed with the RamBoxes, you will need to use a Sidewinder in order to have the clearance to tow a 5th wheel. The Goose Box doesn't move the pivot point and an offset ball just won't be enough…

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Answer 9

Increasing the tire and wheel size can increase the height of the trailer but it's usually quite minimal. Before you do anything else you should see if the pin box can be adjusted. Although you have to be careful here since This will lower…

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Answer 10

The B and W Patriot slider is the only hitch unfortunately that can't be adapted to fit the OEM rails of your 2024 Ram 2500 as none of the adapters can work with it. So Mike what that means is that no matter how you slice it...it's…

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Answer 11

I recommend using a Lube Plate #16721 over covering the Demco Recon 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch #DM8550043 in Grease #L74FR. The lube plate is much cleaner and you will not have to constantly clean off the dirt and apply new grease over time.

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Answer 12

Hey David, from previous customers of ours who have the same 2020 Keystone Raptor 424 we have determined that your pin box style is the Lippert 1621 which means for a Gen-Y gooseneck adapter you'd want the #GY58GR that you referenced.

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