Looking for some advice. We were looking at upgrading to a fifth wheel, had an 2014 Open Range Ultra light in the works with a dealer. Turns out the truck which sits 60 1/2" to the top of tailgate was too tall to pull the Fiver as there was not enough clearance and it would ride nose high if adjusted. They put the blocks in the truck bed and lowered the fifth wheel, it squatted the truck bed at all. I understand the Open Range Ultra Lights have a pretty light pin weight. It appears to me the the fifth wheels with taller ground clearance seem to be the bigger/heaver models that would be too much weight for our 3.73 rear end. I believe we are rated at 12,300. Also to note, the truck does not have a lift kit but does have 35" tires, not stock, but after measuring we found that this only made the bed sit 1/2 to 1" higher. We would like to keep our same tires/wheels if possible. All of the light models we have looked at already have the springs riding on top of the axle. Just wondering if anyone has any advice in a lighter model that may work without us doing modifications. Thanks for any input.

The first thing other than bed height you need to look at is payload. Look at your sticker in door jamb. The amount of weight the truck can carry as it left factory will tell you a lot. The loaded pin of any fifth wheel rv you choose will weigh around 20 percent of the fifth wheel gvwr. If you want to tow fiver, you should consider pin weight first then consider putting stock tires/wheels on the truck. With a 3/4 ton gasser especially with 3:73 axle I would keep fifth wheel gvwr at 10k or less.

therink wrote:The first thing other than bed height you need to look at is payload. Look at your sticker in door jamb. The amount of weight the truck can carry as it left factory will tell you a lot. The loaded pin of any fifth wheel rv you choose will weigh around 20 percent of the fifth wheel gvwr. If you want to tow fiver, you should consider pin weight first then consider putting stock tires/wheels on the truck. With a 3/4 ton gasser especially with 3:73 axle I would keep fifth wheel gvwr at 10k or less.Payload is 3048. We are looking at ultra lights and light models with dry weight of 7 to 9000 lbs. The problem seems to be in the bed height and not getting enough clearance from bed to fiver. I can't be the only one with a stock 4x4 dodge that is have this issue. I have the stock wheels on the truck, just changed to a more aggressive tread, gave us no more than an inch change.

Many people have the same problem. My truck is completely stock. My new Open Range sits nose high. I put on a larger diameter tire to make the trailer taller. That gave me a half inch. I am now just under 2" higher measuring frame to ground at the landing gear compared to frame to ground at the first axle.I believe my tailgate is 59" to the top.Next step is to put a lift on the fifth wheel if I decide to tow completely level.

There are several ways to raise the FW to fit the truck. The best is to add a subframe, made from square tubing. They do make blocks to go under the trailer springs, but I would not go more than an inch or two, using this method. You may be able to change FW tire/wheel size if you have enough wheel well clearance. There is a correct track system that will raise the trailer also.IMO, it does not matter all that much to be a little nose high. I would say 2 inches or less.Another thing to consider with the taller tires on the truck, is gearing. Even though the tall tires only raise the truck an inch, they can change your overall gearing from 3.73, to closer to 3.55. For towing purposes you'd be better off with the 4.10 ratio.Jerry

I had towed my Open Range 337RLS for over 6 years with a 2005 Dodge 2500 4x4 with the 5.7 Hemi and 3.73 gears with no trouble. It took me where ever we wanted to go. Probably towed close to 40000 miles. The Dodge was getting some mileage on it and I had the chance to get a great deal on a used '14 Chevy crew cab with the 6.0 and 4.10 gears so I traded. Every now and again I see the Dodge around still going strong.I know this does not say anything for the 6.4 but if I could do it with the 5.7 the 6.4 should be even better. I had looked at the Dodge with the 6.4 but couldn't get a great deal. Good Luck and Happy Camping.

Anyone towing a fifth wheel with Dodge 2500 6.4 Hemi 4x4?

NWKomfort350
Explorer
Apr 17, 2016
Many people have the same problem. My truck is completely stock. My new Open Range sits nose high. I put on a larger diameter tire to make the trailer taller. That gave me a half inch. I am now just under 2" higher measuring frame to ground at the landing gear compared to frame to ground at the first axle.
I believe my tailgate is 59" to the top.
Next step is to put a lift on the fifth wheel if I decide to tow completely level.
LuvMyNewfs
Explorer
Apr 17, 2016
therink wrote:
The first thing other than bed height you need to look at is payload. Look at your sticker in door jamb. The amount of weight the truck can carry as it left factory will tell you a lot. The loaded pin of any fifth wheel rv you choose will weigh around 20 percent of the fifth wheel gvwr. If you want to tow fiver, you should consider pin weight first then consider putting stock tires/wheels on the truck. With a 3/4 ton gasser especially with 3:73 axle I would keep fifth wheel gvwr at 10k or less.

Payload is 3048. We are looking at ultra lights and light models with dry weight of 7 to 9000 lbs. The problem seems to be in the bed height and not getting enough clearance from bed to fiver. I can't be the only one with a stock 4x4 dodge that is have this issue. I have the stock wheels on the truck, just changed to a more aggressive tread, gave us no more than an inch change.
therink
Explorer
Apr 17, 2016
The first thing other than bed height you need to look at is payload. Look at your sticker in door jamb. The amount of weight the truck can carry as it left factory will tell you a lot. The loaded pin of any fifth wheel rv you choose will weigh around 20 percent of the fifth wheel gvwr. If you want to tow fiver, you should consider pin weight first then consider putting stock tires/wheels on the truck. With a 3/4 ton gasser especially with 3:73 axle I would keep fifth wheel gvwr at 10k or less.

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