Forum Discussion

Beau_Bo's avatar
Beau_Bo
Explorer
Nov 09, 2018

oldest 5er that wouldn't need to be lifted for 2016 RAM

Starting to spend some time in this forum in hopes of getting smarter before I purchase a used 5er in the next year or so. Been reading of folks with newer trucks and older trailers that need to lift the trailers to sit level and/or clear side rails when attached to the taller, newer trucks.

What would be the oldest 5er that I should be looking for that would sit level with my 2016 RAM 3500 dually, without modification. I understand that there's probably no hard fast rule, I'm just looking for a general model year range across all brands that I can focus on without worrying too much.

Thanks
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Nov 09, 2018
    My old 2005 Titanium was fine other than that I can't say. Take a tape measure with you to look at older models and you'll figure something out.
  • 4x4ord's avatar
    4x4ord
    Explorer III
    Nov 09, 2018
    My 08 Citation works without lifting but it would need to be lifted about 5 inches to make it perfect.
  • Charley67's avatar
    Charley67
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2018
    I have a 2005 Jayco Designer with a 3500 Ram DRW. IM 6’2” and my truck bed is shoulder high at the tailgate. Everything wiorks good. You can always hook to it before you buy it.
  • Wills6_4_Hemi's avatar
    Wills6_4_Hemi
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2018
    I had to lower my 2016 ram 3500 DRW and will still need to raise the 5er a little to be perfect . My 5er is a 2013 keystone sprinter that is taller than any other 5er I ever owned ( under the pin box) it set nose low on previous 2008 f 250. Pm me if you need info on what was done to truck to lower it 3-31/2 inches which helped a lot 5er still needs to go up 2 inches to be perfect.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Nov 09, 2018
    Well our 2005 Keystone Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS needed to be raised 2" to tow level with 6" of clearance to the bed rails on our 2001 Ram 2500. I was looking at a 2012 Ram 3500 DRW and measured both the 3500 was about 1.5" taller at the TG than the 2500.



  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Nov 09, 2018
    Beau Bo wrote:
    Starting to spend some time in this forum in hopes of getting smarter before I purchase a used 5er in the next year or so. Been reading of folks with newer trucks and older trailers that need to lift the trailers to sit level and/or clear side rails when attached to the taller, newer trucks.

    What would be the oldest 5er that I should be looking for that would sit level with my 2016 RAM 3500 dually, without modification. I understand that there's probably no hard fast rule, I'm just looking for a general model year range across all brands that I can focus on without worrying too much.

    Thanks


    You likely have blocks in the truck suspension that can be removed to lower it. Good, and cheap, place to start. Between that and a Correct Track on the FW, you likely can get upwards of 5" net "lift" to the FW.

    Lyle
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2018
    I have an 18 2500 Ram (59.5" bed ht) and have no problem with my smaller mid profile 5th wheel.
    It really just depends on the 5th wheel you choose. Pick your floor plan then look for that floor plan in the brands you like. Next measure the overhang. Your biggest issue will be the stiff rear suspension not sagging enough with a pin weight. I thought the Ram DRW was a little lower on the bed height? They seemed to be when standing next to one. OEM tires on a DRW are 1.4" shorter than SRW tires. Thats 3/4" on bed height. Not much but would help.
    Assuming you have 17" DRW vs 18" SRW
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Nov 09, 2018
    I had to raise a '97 5th wheel trailer 2" so I could go with 16" LT E tires.
    I had a weld shop add longer adjustable side plates made from 5/16 t X 3" wide heavy steel channel (shor leg) and holes for height adjustments.
    There is no cutoff date so to speak when all trailers didn't have to be lifted .

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