Correct Fifth Wheel Bed Rail Placement in 2004 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually LB
Question:
bought a truck with rails already installed 2004 chevy 3500 dually the rear rail is 35 1/2inch from rear of bed, that seems to be about 4 farther than the specs you show. is that going to make a big difference?
asked by: MARK L
Expert Reply:
You want the hitch rails installed so that the fifth wheel's king pin will sit directly atop or ahead of the truck's rear axle center line. Having the king pin fall behind the rear axle center line could negatively affect the truck's handling by unloading the truck's front suspension.
My concern is that the brackets might not be correctly bolted to the truck frame members, and that the extra 4 inches will compromise the clearance between the front of the fifth wheel and the truck cab corners during turns. If you can confirm that the brackets are securely fastened and the hardware properly torqued and that you'll have proper clearance between the truck cab and the fifth wheel, you'll most likely be okay.
To determine if you'll have enough clearance, there's some measurements you can take. Install the hitch in your rails, and measure the distance between the king pin and the rear of the truck cab. From that amount, subtract half the width of the fifth wheel at the front. The result will tell you how many inches of clearance you'll have at the front during turns. You'll want at least 4 inches of clearance.
Personally, I'd feel most comfortable if the rail kit were properly installed.
