Troubleshooting Lowering 2014 Hearland Cyclone 5th Wheel Toy Hauler To Fit Garage Door Opening

Question:

Our new fifth wheel is about 8 inches too tall with the air conditioning units to fit into our garage. Wondering if there’s a way to temporarily make it sit lower in the truck bed so I can back it in. Currently I have an Anderson Ultimate hitch already in the lowest position. If I could use a gooseneck adapter or something to make it so the trailer almost touches my bed rails I could probably sneak it in. Any thoughts or ideas? Also considered getting lower profile AC units, or even a trailer dolly if that would help the trailer sit lower.

asked by: Spencer

Expert Reply:

We get questions like this every once in a while. Getting 8 inches is not an easy, but let's explore some options.

The Anderson you have at the lowest point sits at 16-3/4 inches and then uses the adapter. You may gain 2 inches by using the Demco Recon Gooseneck-to-5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Single Jaw - 21,000 lbs # DM8550045 which has a lowest height at 15-1/2 inches. The more in depth installation of the Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter # AM3100 will give you a better height at 11-3/4 inches from the 5th wheel plate to the top of the hitch ball when collapsed so that is likely the best option for the bed height. Obviously it wouldn't be safe to tow at that height for you but backing in straight shouldn't be an issue. You'd want to adjust the height up for clearance over your bed rails when turning.

From there you most likely will either need to deflate your tires to low psi or swap your tires with a smaller size to get the height difference needed at that point. Your ST235/80R16E really can't drop to a smaller size based on your bolt pattern, so some people just get rims they can use without tires like # AM20750 for that situation and just put down carpet or plywood to protect the garage floor.

Unfortunately the creative aspects always come with some risk or compromises you'll need to consider. There isn't a trailer dolly we carry for the weight or height of the 5th wheel trailer.

expert reply by: Jason S