New HD truck bed rails too tall for 5th wheel
Options: tow with the trailer nose high, or spend the money to lower the truck (easy on a Ford, tough on a RAM and with resulting possible drive train/warranty issues), or raise the trailer (with resu...
Forum Discussion
MFL - the Correct Track Alignment System looks very promising.
I have had trouble finding a decent shop to do specialized suspension work in Tucson. What kind of shop would install that Correct System?
Ford person from day 1 (1st car was post war Ford convertible - my dad painted it turquoise and put on new white top). Been in FCA singe 2006 as friend was dealer. Had to buy new truck last year and went right back to Fords when I found my 2021 F-250 with 2600 miles. It has the worst ride of any vehicle including D-9 Cats that I have ever sat in. But the deal breaker is my still growing 75-pound Standard Poodle can not turn around in the back seat. I had no clue that seat was so small and feel like a fool for not checking stuff better. Oh well. Ford super cab back seat is 33.5 MAX - when the auto adjust seat goes back there is a lot less. Ram crew cab is 40.2 (Ram is .6 inches longer and bed is 5 inches shorter). Also, the RAM fold flat floor is awesome - was going to build custom one for the Ford.
Cummins - both my f250 and the ram 2500 4x4 have bed rail heights around 59+”. My trailer’s overhang is also 59”. Truck would have to squat 5 inches to get the bare minimum 5 inch clearance and truck would almost surely be unacceptably unlevel. Currently getting about 2-3 inches squat on my Ford, that would have left me with the trailer 2-3 inches nose high (more than I was willing to accept) with 5 inches clearance (less than acceptable). Reducing the spacers gave me a marginally ok system - only 5 inches clearance, but both vehicles close enough to level.
Durb - creative suggestion on the tires. Stock tires are 275/70R18 for the RAM. The used truck I’m looking at has brand new Wrangler Adventure AT’s, my favorite tire. Would be painful to throw those away (no time or patience to sell). And I’ve always been reluctant to go away from stock sizing. Considering the trucks prices, what’s another grand, though. This certainly could be part of the solution and will look into it.
My first 3/4 ton (RAM Big Horn Hemi 2006) was 2WD (because of the bed rail height issue). Only needed 4WD twice but when you need it you need it and those two situations took a number of years off my life. My two subsequent trucks were Jeep GC Hemi 4x4s with bumper pulls and saved my butt and the rig a couple times.
This new rig will be full time. I boondock most of the time, many times not unhooking. And am prone to having to see around the next corner or hill. I must have the 4x4 and want a level (plus or. minus an inch) truck and trailer going down the road and particularly when I’m parked.
Looks like the Correct system and maybe smaller profile tires are a solution.
Thank you guys very much.
PS Cummins - thanks for the correction on generations. Get confused cuz 1500 went 5th gen in 2019 but HDs didn’t though had some pretty major redesigns. Like your 4.5 name. And then we still have the 4th gen 1500 "classic." Oh and the Cummins went 5th gen in 2019/20 also (as gasser person I don’t keep up on diesels).
I have had trouble finding a decent shop to do specialized suspension work in Tucson. What kind of shop would install that Correct System?
Ford person from day 1 (1st car was post war Ford convertible - my dad painted it turquoise and put on new white top). Been in FCA singe 2006 as friend was dealer. Had to buy new truck last year and went right back to Fords when I found my 2021 F-250 with 2600 miles. It has the worst ride of any vehicle including D-9 Cats that I have ever sat in. But the deal breaker is my still growing 75-pound Standard Poodle can not turn around in the back seat. I had no clue that seat was so small and feel like a fool for not checking stuff better. Oh well. Ford super cab back seat is 33.5 MAX - when the auto adjust seat goes back there is a lot less. Ram crew cab is 40.2 (Ram is .6 inches longer and bed is 5 inches shorter). Also, the RAM fold flat floor is awesome - was going to build custom one for the Ford.
Cummins - both my f250 and the ram 2500 4x4 have bed rail heights around 59+”. My trailer’s overhang is also 59”. Truck would have to squat 5 inches to get the bare minimum 5 inch clearance and truck would almost surely be unacceptably unlevel. Currently getting about 2-3 inches squat on my Ford, that would have left me with the trailer 2-3 inches nose high (more than I was willing to accept) with 5 inches clearance (less than acceptable). Reducing the spacers gave me a marginally ok system - only 5 inches clearance, but both vehicles close enough to level.
Durb - creative suggestion on the tires. Stock tires are 275/70R18 for the RAM. The used truck I’m looking at has brand new Wrangler Adventure AT’s, my favorite tire. Would be painful to throw those away (no time or patience to sell). And I’ve always been reluctant to go away from stock sizing. Considering the trucks prices, what’s another grand, though. This certainly could be part of the solution and will look into it.
My first 3/4 ton (RAM Big Horn Hemi 2006) was 2WD (because of the bed rail height issue). Only needed 4WD twice but when you need it you need it and those two situations took a number of years off my life. My two subsequent trucks were Jeep GC Hemi 4x4s with bumper pulls and saved my butt and the rig a couple times.
This new rig will be full time. I boondock most of the time, many times not unhooking. And am prone to having to see around the next corner or hill. I must have the 4x4 and want a level (plus or. minus an inch) truck and trailer going down the road and particularly when I’m parked.
Looks like the Correct system and maybe smaller profile tires are a solution.
Thank you guys very much.
PS Cummins - thanks for the correction on generations. Get confused cuz 1500 went 5th gen in 2019 but HDs didn’t though had some pretty major redesigns. Like your 4.5 name. And then we still have the 4th gen 1500 "classic." Oh and the Cummins went 5th gen in 2019/20 also (as gasser person I don’t keep up on diesels).
