Picking up our new Voltage 5th wheel toy hauler next week. This is our first 5th wheel. Our Ram 3500 is a SB and has the OEM 5th wheel prep group. Purchased a new universal mount 5th wheel slider hitch which we'll be mounting on top of a Ram OEM "picture frame" adapter.Question:I'm assuming most 5th wheels have different height requirements in terms of clearing the top of the bed. However, I'm hoping to reduce my chance of having to adjust my 5th wheel hitch at the dealer at the last minute. Is there a generally acceptable distance between the top of the bed and the top of the hitch assembly that I should strive for?Initially, I suppose it's ok to error on the side of being too high vs. being too low, right?Thanks!

6 inches between box rail and 5th is all you need..

MudChucker wrote:6 inches between box rail and 5th is all you need..Appreciate the reply. When I initially install/adjust my 5th wheel hitch I won't have my toy hauler handy. Was hoping someone might know the general distance between the two bed rails and the TOP of the 5th wheel hitch that I can use to make a good initial adjustment before I head to the dealer to pickup our new 5th wheel. Thanks again!

The pin box is also adjustable, so it is hard to say xx" for hitch height. Take your tools along. Chris

Me Again wrote:The pin box is also adjustable, so it is hard to say xx" for hitch height. Take your tools along. ChrisThanks, Me Again. I do seem to remember seeing some adjustment bolts on the pin box. Is there any disadvantage to having the 5th wheel hitch adjusted to its maximum height while the pin box is in its lowest position, or vice versa?

otrfun wrote:Me Again wrote:The pin box is also adjustable, so it is hard to say xx" for hitch height. Take your tools along. ChrisThanks, Me Again. I do seem to remember seeing some adjustment bolts on the pin box. Is there any disadvantage to having the 5th wheel hitch adjusted to its maximum height while the pin box is in its lowest position, or vice versa? I have my fifth wheel hitch adjusted as high as it will go and adjusted my pin box accordingly so that I have more room in the bed of the truck for firewood and such. With the fifth wheel hitch lower the pin box will sit lower in the better limiting my space. I would rather have it up as high as it would go and adjust the pin box to try and level the trailer or give me adequate bed rail clearance.

Advice on Adjusting New 5th Wheel Hitch | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 27, 2016
otrfun wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Ideally if you could get an accurate dimension from your dealer as in bottom of overhang to bottom of kingpin plate. That is your ideal answer.
Good idea. Have to drive out to the dealership and finish up some paperwork, Monday. Good time to make this measurement before we pick it up Wed.

Take a straight edge with you in case your kingpin is in front of the cap.
45Ricochet
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
You had better take tools cause each TV - RV will be different.
But this is where our last hitch head was compared to the rails
otrfun
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2016
phillyg wrote:
I recommend you have the necessary tools to adjust your hitch height if possible. You should really have two people available to adjust the pin box because of its weight. OTOH, I would try to have the dealer make the hitch/pin box adjustments when you go in to pick up the brand new FW you bought from him.
Thanks. Might give the service manager a call tomorrow to make sure they can make these adjustments (if need be) on Wed when we pick it up.
otrfun
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2016
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Ideally if you could get an accurate dimension from your dealer as in bottom of overhang to bottom of kingpin plate. That is your ideal answer.
Good idea. Have to drive out to the dealership and finish up some paperwork, Monday. Good time to make this measurement before we pick it up Wed.
phillyg
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2016
Thanks, Me Again. I do seem to remember seeing some adjustment bolts on the pin box. Is there any disadvantage to having the 5th wheel hitch adjusted to its maximum height while the pin box is in its lowest position, or vice versa?

I recommend you have the necessary tools to adjust your hitch height if possible. You should really have two people available to adjust the pin box because of its weight. OTOH, I would try to have the dealer make the hitch/pin box adjustments when you go in to pick up the brand new FW you bought from him.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 27, 2016
Ideally if you could get an accurate dimension from your dealer as in bottom of overhang to bottom of kingpin plate. That is your ideal answer.
MudChucker
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
best to have your 5th wheel hitch plate as high as possible while using your pin box to level things out. this gives you room for cargo around your hitch while providing clearance for the pin box on those hard corners.

we have several farm trucks with 5th wheel hitches, I had everybody quickly run out and measure our hitch heights relative to the box sides, all of us have gmc trucks from 1500 to 2500. Mine is set at 4.5 inches, bro in law is 3.5 inches, father in law is 3 inches.

all measured via 2x4 across box and down to the mostly level hitch plate.
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 27, 2016
Cummins12V98 wrote:
A lot of pin boxes when adjusted up or down may have less holes for bolts to go into making the rating much less. Best to set hitch at highest setting tow the RV home and adjust hitch height so you have a minimum of 6" bed clearance at the tailgate.

Good advice here!

With the added height of the picture frame, you may not need to set hitch to highest position. I would set it just below the bed rail level to start. This should give you the 6"s or more clearance needed.

Jerry
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 27, 2016
A lot of pin boxes when adjusted up or down may have less holes for bolts to go into making the rating much less. Best to set hitch at highest setting tow the RV home and adjust hitch height so you have a minimum of 6" bed clearance at the tailgate.
Brisk
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2016
otrfun wrote:
Me Again wrote:
The pin box is also adjustable, so it is hard to say xx" for hitch height. Take your tools along. Chris
Thanks, Me Again. I do seem to remember seeing some adjustment bolts on the pin box. Is there any disadvantage to having the 5th wheel hitch adjusted to its maximum height while the pin box is in its lowest position, or vice versa?

I have my fifth wheel hitch adjusted as high as it will go and adjusted my pin box accordingly so that I have more room in the bed of the truck for firewood and such. With the fifth wheel hitch lower the pin box will sit lower in the better limiting my space. I would rather have it up as high as it would go and adjust the pin box to try and level the trailer or give me adequate bed rail clearance.