We just purchased a 2005 HitchHiker DA 31.5LKTG that we'll pick up in a couple weeks. I'm looking for advice on hitch installation, and clearance to the truck sides.We have a 2013 Silverado 3500 4WD Crew Cab std bed. I plan on putting a 16K Pullrite Superglide hitch in it. Does anyone have this configuration (TV, 5er, hitch), and how are clearances etc?I know that current pick-ups have higher sides than 10yrs ago and so I'm concerned about the height clearance. Will the 5er tow level with a standard set-up? How much bed rail clearance will I have? Will I need to consider any special issues (pullrite has a 3" height extender, or worse would I need to consider raising the trailer on the axels)?Since the FW is a few hundred miles away it would be nice to understand these issues from someone with a similar set-up to avoid changes etc when I pick it up.As always, thanks for the advice received on this forum.Ronps - looking forward to moving from the TT to 5er forum :)

You won't really know for sure until you hook up.You may need to adjust hitch/pin box for initial tow home.Best to have 6" bedrail clearance min. and 5vr tow level.Check 5vr spring shackles for adjustment holes. My bedrail clearance was great (7") but was nose high. My HH has adjustment holes in spring shackles and I was able to reposition springs/center equalizer down (raising) trailer for level tow. Congrats on the 'new' HH!NUWA has an 'archive' section for specs/info on their trailers......LINK

Thanks for the link Old-Biscuit. Sounds like the HitchHiker might have some adjustment so hopefully I can get that all set up to tow properly before I leave Chanute. Looking forward to a 5er, and to the HitchHiker the more I read about them.

Only thing I can relate to is the same slider.I had to buy the pullright height extenders for my truck.( 2011 f350 srw)I only had three inches clearence which is not enough.You wont know that till you know that (or hear it)..I now have 6-7 clearence and where I park mine and the lay of the land I come within 1-11/2 inches of my rails when parking and pulling out.But you never know what road you might end up on with a bump in the right place that will bring you close to your rails.Make sure you have 5-6 inches imo..

MNRon wrote:Thanks for the link Old-Biscuit. Sounds like the HitchHiker might have some adjustment so hopefully I can get that all set up to tow properly before I leave Chanute. Looking forward to a 5er, and to the HitchHiker the more I read about them.Picking up at the factory?If so.....they will help set you up. Great group of folks.Also there is a city park not far from factory where you can stay first 48 hours FREE and then $10/night (water & electric).Great way to fine tune/check out RV.Santa Fe Safari RV Campground......LINK

OB - yes. We stopped at the factory with our TT after a month in TX (decided that a larger 5er would be nearer in our future than had previously planned). The NuWa guys seemed great as you mentioned. We stayed in the city campground right nearby and spent the morning looking at a bunch of used HitchHikers - narrowing it down took longer than expected but they were very patient with us. We needed to be in MN so after signing on the dotted line we dropped the TT off and headed home. We'll go back in a few weeks and pick up the 5er.Looking forward to the new (to us) trailer, and am VERY happy with the Kansas RV Center experience thus far.

Bed Rail Clearance | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

RDS33
Explorer
Mar 20, 2014
Register on the Nuwa forumn and ask your question there. Very likley someone will be able to help you.
http://nuwaowners.org/forum/
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 19, 2014
Scott, look at where the spring eyes fasten, to see if you have extra length shackles, with a hole or two extra.

Jerry
Scott_85
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
I think I am in the same boat. If my 5er has adjustable shackles what would it look like?
Racine96
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
I do not know about your brand, but Reese asks for 6".
RECVEH2005
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
Yeah, the "big 3" truck manufacturers really messed things up for us "fiver drivers" when they decided to raise their bed heights several years ago. I've never figured out why they did it - anybody know? I wonder if they talked to the fiver manufacturers at all, being that towing these is a big part of the reason folks buy light trucks. It's the only reason I own one.

Mike
sayoung
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
Just a heads up,I have a 2012 Chevy 1T crew and my REESE hitch only goes to 18in,looking at another hitch that is taller but they are few and far between.These newer tall beds were not made with us 5er drivers in mind.Get as tall a hitch as you can if buying a new one.
Blackcell
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
Agree, you won't know for sure till its hitched. I made this part of the deal after learning the hard way with our first fiver. You guys get me at least 7" and the trailer level or the whole deal is off and I walk. I drove away with 9" and level :B.
Bill1374
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
You are going to love the HH, I'vs had three caused by a severe case of twofootitis.
There should be enough adjustment on the spring plates/equalizer to get you to level towing.

Bill
MNRon
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
OB - yes. We stopped at the factory with our TT after a month in TX (decided that a larger 5er would be nearer in our future than had previously planned).

The NuWa guys seemed great as you mentioned. We stayed in the city campground right nearby and spent the morning looking at a bunch of used HitchHikers - narrowing it down took longer than expected but they were very patient with us. We needed to be in MN so after signing on the dotted line we dropped the TT off and headed home. We'll go back in a few weeks and pick up the 5er.

Looking forward to the new (to us) trailer, and am VERY happy with the Kansas RV Center experience thus far.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 09, 2014
MNRon wrote:
Thanks for the link Old-Biscuit. Sounds like the HitchHiker might have some adjustment so hopefully I can get that all set up to tow properly before I leave Chanute. Looking forward to a 5er, and to the HitchHiker the more I read about them.

Picking up at the factory?

If so.....they will help set you up. Great group of folks.

Also there is a city park not far from factory where you can stay first 48 hours FREE and then $10/night (water & electric).
Great way to fine tune/check out RV.

Santa Fe Safari RV Campground......LINK