Forum Discussion

Explorer

Oct 07, 2017

Lifted truck towing 5er

Looking for help. My wife and I have fallen in love with a new fifth wheel, the Cougar 326RDS. We spent a lot of time going through the trailer and we know we want to buy this new unit. But, I have a lifted truck. I have a 2011 F350 6.7 Powerstroke with a 4" lift on 35" tires. We bought the truck 2 1/2 years ago and have been towing a 32' Hideout travel trailer. My problem is I know the trailer will be nose high with the stock trailer and lifted truck. I plan to use the Anderson Ultimate hitch. If I put a 4" subframe lift on the trailer, will that be enough? I'm worried about stability of the trailer while towing if I lift the trailer. Will it be safe and stable with a 4" lift? What about bed rail clearance? How much rail clearance should I have? The last thing I want is truck/5er damage for not enough clearance. Any and all advice is welcome. I have been reading these forums for years but this is the first time I have posted. Thank you in advance!

13 Replies

Me_Again
Explorer III
Oct 07, 2017
Remember the 13'6" is the height limit for a travel trailer. I raised my 2005 Cardinal 29WBLX 3.5" and handling was fine with shocks and all steel ply LT trailers.

However your truck is 3" or 4" higher.

Chris
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Oct 07, 2017
I Have a 97 F350 and it's 4 over stock with an axle flip on 35 x 12.5's. It's high. I did it back in 97 when I bought it so it's no going back. I run a truck camper but I also pull a tandem axle goose neck equipment trailer on the road and I've never had an issue. My goose neck has an adjustable leg however. I just set the leg so the trailer rides level unloaded. When I load it (and I overload it regularly), I crank the air up in the airbags to level the truck.

Don't know if you can adjust a 5er like that however.
MFL
Nomad II
Oct 07, 2017
Most figure 6"s bedrail clearance as the minimum. Normally, lifted trucks don't make good FW haulers. Raising the trailer will help. You need to do the measuring on the FW you are interested in. Myself, I'd lower the truck for best towing results.

Jerry