Clearance Concerns For Fifth Wheel On 2015 Ford F-350 Super-Duty With 8 Ft Bed

Question:

I have a 2006 f250 diesel and am about to get a2015 f 350. I have read these trucks sit two inches higher and I am planning to use my existing hitch with the new ford but I will need the adapter to connect the hitch to the new puck system, My question is if the truck is two inches higher and the adapter is two inches tall is that going to make my fifthwheel that has about 9 inches of clearance between it and the bed rails not ride level or if I lower the hitch will there not be enough clearance

asked by: Robert T

Expert Reply:

I don't think you are going to have an issue with your new 2015 Ford F-350.

Since you have a fifth-wheel hitch already installed in your 2006 F-250, the above bed rails will normally sit about 2 inches above the bed of the truck. The adapter I recommend, part # RP30156, measures about 3 inches to the top of the adapter when installed in the pucks on your new truck. That would be a difference of about an inch. This adapter has a weight capacity of 20,000 lbs, and can work with standard fifth wheel hitches. I have attached a product review video for this adapter you can check out.

You said the new truck sits about 2 inches higher than your old truck. Most fifth-wheel hitches are adjustable from a height of 13 to 17 inches, so you have 4 inches of adjustments you can make on you hitch when you install it.

It seems that the total difference will be about 3 inches from your old truck to the new F-350. With the 9 inches you say you have on your setup for clearance, you may be a little closer to 6 inches, which is the minimum distance we recommend for clearance from the top of the bed rails to the bottom of the trailer.

Many fifth wheel pin boxes are adjustable as well, so you may be able to gain additional clearance there. I have also included a link to a helpful article about fifth wheel hitches you can take a look at.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L