Anyone running with 5.5" bed rail clearance?

[grampscamper]

I'm curious to know if anyone is running with 5.5" bed rail clearance. I've always had at least 6" or more clearance in the past. I have a 2017 F350 Super Duty. Hooked up to our 5th wheel yesterday and have 5.5" of clearance & the trailer is 1-1/2" nose high. If I raise my hitch I will be 2.5" off level. We typically stay in resort style campgrounds and stay on major highways. Dealer said I won't have any problems.

[grampscamper]

JIMNLIN wrote:
Suspension blocks under heavy multi axle trailers are not the best idea.
Axle mfg and trailer mfg do no offer suspension blocks for a std leaf spring set up nor are they offered as a option.
Of course folks will do what ever they choose ignorant of any down side to their actions.

I think most folks know and understand suspension on a trailer with close spaced multi axles in the center of a heavy boxy vehicle create tremendous side stress issues to its tires....wheels.....axle bearings.....suspension U bolts....spring keepers....suspension top plate as the trailer is dragged around corners or backing maneuvers.
Rear suspension with just one axle on our trucks don't have these type side stress issues so suspension blocks work fine and even come OEM from the vehicle mfg unlike a trailer with std leaf suspension.

My current short bed Dodge has around 5"-5.5" clearance. Most short bed trucks can get by with a bit less clearance as the top of the bed isn't as far aft as most long beds. Much depends on pin location
We do a lot of primitive camp ground camping and have never had end of the bed contact the trailer when at steep angles.

Thanks for the information. I definitely prefer not to lift the trailer. I have a short box so I should be good with 5.5" of clearance. I will only be 1-1/2" nose high on a 35.5' 5th wheel. I doubt it will negatively effect handling.

[JIMNLIN]

Suspension blocks under heavy multi axle trailers are not the best idea.
Axle mfg and trailer mfg do no offer suspension blocks for a std leaf spring set up nor are they offered as a option.
Of course folks will do what ever they choose ignorant of any down side to their actions.

I think most folks know and understand suspension on a trailer with close spaced multi axles in the center of a heavy boxy vehicle create tremendous side stress issues to its tires....wheels.....axle bearings.....suspension U bolts....spring keepers....suspension top plate as the trailer is dragged around corners or backing maneuvers.
Rear suspension with just one axle on our trucks don't have these type side stress issues so suspension blocks work fine and even come OEM from the vehicle mfg unlike a trailer with std leaf suspension.

My current short bed Dodge has around 5"-5.5" clearance. Most short bed trucks can get by with a bit less clearance as the top of the bed isn't as far aft as most long beds. Much depends on pin location
We do a lot of primitive camp ground camping and have never had end of the bed contact the trailer when at steep angles.

[Wild_Card]

Blocks are under the rear of your truck arent they?

[grampscamper]

Hammerboy wrote:

garyp4951 wrote:

grampscamper wrote:
Trailer blocks

Here's an option I may consider if I decide to lift our 5th wheel.

I installed these in a 2" with u bolts, and it is a very high quality product.

Aren't blocks of any height frowned upon? IDK

I am running about 5" between mine and my roll up cover rails and a couple inches nose high. Been considering a sub frame for mine.

I know several members on the Grand Design forum have installed them without issue. Many have driven thousands of miles. I haven't seem any reported problems.

[Hammerboy]

garyp4951 wrote:

grampscamper wrote:
Trailer blocks

Here's an option I may consider if I decide to lift our 5th wheel.

I installed these in a 2" with u bolts, and it is a very high quality product.

Aren't blocks of any height frowned upon? IDK

I am running about 5" between mine and my roll up cover rails and a couple inches nose high. Been considering a sub frame for mine.

[grampscamper]

Izzy211 wrote:
I have a quick obervation. I had a 2013 F150 CC with 6.5' bed. I purchased my first 5th wheel. I know, I know I am one of those who fell for the 1/2 ton can handle this unit. Anyway, I just bought a F350 CC with the 6.9 bed. I also have the 6.7 PSD. Now my measurements from the 1/2 ton were ground to floor of bed was 34.5" and the height of the box was 22.5" which gave me 57" to the bed rail. I had 6" of clearance to 5 th wheel. Now new 1 ton has 37.9" from ground to floor of box and the box height is 20" which gives me 57.9" to bed rail. I have not hooked to 5th wheel with new truck. Based on my measurements I should have no problem with clearance. Am I missing something? Everyone is saying the new 1 tons are too high. I look forward to comments!

It looks like you could be at least an inch higher. Based on your measurements you're starting .9" higher. The F350 won't sag as much from the weight of the 5th wheel. I'm thinking you'll be close to 1-1/2", maybe 2" higher when hooked to your 5th wheel. Hopefully I'm wrong and you won't have the same problem I have.

[mtofell1]

2014 Ram 2500 4X4 and 2016 Keystone Hideout came out fine with respect to clearance. I see these threads go around all the time and can't offer much since my RV sits on a slope with the nose dropped to be level while parked. But today I happen to be out camping and am sitting with it and my truck level.

Just took measurements and the underside of the 5th comes out to 61" and the truck bed rails (unloaded) is 57" (this measurement isn't super precise since the high point is inward from the curved rear fender).

When rolling I have about 7" of clearance. I'm a touch nose high and the truck squats a couple inches (about 3-4" with stock springs, about 2" with my Firestone bags filled to 50#). The squatting and slight nose high setup is what explains the 7" when the numbers show only 4" when measuring truck and trailer sitting level unattached.

Point in all this being that some of you worrying might be okay. I went through this exact same angst and was pleasantly surprised. So, don't go buying any 5th wheel "lift kits" before you set things up. You just might be okay.

[grampscamper]

garyp4951 wrote:

grampscamper wrote:
Trailer blocks

Here's an option I may consider if I decide to lift our 5th wheel.

I installed these in a 2" with u bolts, and it is a very high quality product.

I've heard it's a high quality product.

[garyp4951]

grampscamper wrote:
Trailer blocks

Here's an option I may consider if I decide to lift our 5th wheel.

I installed these in a 2" with u bolts, and it is a very high quality product.

[Izzy211]

I have a quick obervation. I had a 2013 F150 CC with 6.5' bed. I purchased my first 5th wheel. I know, I know I am one of those who fell for the 1/2 ton can handle this unit. Anyway, I just bought a F350 CC with the 6.9 bed. I also have the 6.7 PSD. Now my measurements from the 1/2 ton were ground to floor of bed was 34.5" and the height of the box was 22.5" which gave me 57" to the bed rail. I had 6" of clearance to 5 th wheel. Now new 1 ton has 37.9" from ground to floor of box and the box height is 20" which gives me 57.9" to bed rail. I have not hooked to 5th wheel with new truck. Based on my measurements I should have no problem with clearance. Am I missing something? Everyone is saying the new 1 tons are too high. I look forward to comments!

[grampscamper]

Trailer blocks

Here's an option I may consider if I decide to lift our 5th wheel.

[jeb5]

I have a 2011 F350 4x4, long bed pulling a Newmar Kountry Star. I have 5 in. at the nose of the rv and 5.5 at gate. I have an issue when I unhook and pull forward. I have never hit the rv, but it is not the way I prefer. The rv is only slightly nose high. I have adjustment to raise the rv, but then I am not pulling level. I will watch for ideas on this posting.

[Cummins12V98]

One cure for being nose high!

[grampscamper]

campinghut wrote:
I am going to have the same issue I think with my 2017 the is on the way. I think I am going to put shorter blocks on the back of the truck to start.

I may have to lift our trailer. It's around 13' now. Would prefer not to go higher.

[campinghut]

I am going to have the same issue I think with my 2017 the is on the way. I think I am going to put shorter blocks on the back of the truck to start.