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bed rail height

boingram
Explorer
Explorer
Just took delivery of a new gmc 3500 denali cc duramax 4x4. Bed rail height just over 57 inches. Never occurred to me i might have a clearance problem...I'm new to fivers.
Looking at new 36 foot fw's speced at 12500 dry...16000 gvw...2300 to 2500 pin wt. Probably grand design...am i gonna have a clearance issue...thx..bo
25 REPLIES 25

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
Mopar_Mudder wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
57" is on the low side. IIRC the new Rams are around 60-61". Should be fine.


Not so, just got a new 3500 Dually and it is 56-1/2" to the rail. Well maybe it depends on where you are measuring, that is directly above the wheel. If you are measuring at the tailgate then yes it will be higher.

I think as long as you are getting a new trailer you should be fine as they are made with the current trucks in mind. Older trailers on the other hand can be an issue.


I was measuring at the very rear of the bed. All things being equal you're right. Assuming the truck levels out under load then the number at the fender would work. I know some guys over on the Grand Design forum had some issues with IIRC the 303RLS and getting the nose down with the newer 2015 2500-3500.

NC_Hauler
Explorer
Explorer
boingram wrote:
Just took delivery of a new gmc 3500 denali cc duramax 4x4. Bed rail height just over 57 inches. Never occurred to me i might have a clearance problem...I'm new to fivers.
Looking at new 36 foot fw's speced at 12500 dry...16000 gvw...2300 to 2500 pin wt. Probably grand design...am i gonna have a clearance issue...thx..bo


You won't have any issues, but with a GVW of 16,000#, expect a pin weight of closer to 3,000# than a 2300-to 2500# pin weight, which is what it would be closer to if you actually towed a 12,500# 5er..."dry"....If you load to 15,000#, pin weight would be closer to 3,000..again, won't be an issue with the 3500, but think you might want to look at the pin weight figuring on loading your 5er.
Jim & Kathy, (Boxers, Buddy & Sheba)
2016 Ram 3500 DRW Longhorn 4X4/CC/LB/Aisin/4.10/rear air assist ...Pearl White.
2016 DRV MS 36RSSB3/ W&D/ slide toppers/ DTV satellite/ 5.5K Onan propane gen.
B&W RVK3600 Hitch
Fulltiming in WV & TX
USAF 71-75 Viet Nam Vet

Mopar_Mudder
Explorer
Explorer
goducks10 wrote:
57" is on the low side. IIRC the new Rams are around 60-61". Should be fine.


Not so, just got a new 3500 Dually and it is 56-1/2" to the rail. Well maybe it depends on where you are measuring, that is directly above the wheel. If you are measuring at the tailgate then yes it will be higher.

I think as long as you are getting a new trailer you should be fine as they are made with the current trucks in mind. Older trailers on the other hand can be an issue.
2008 Dodge Dually Mega Cab - Resitol Edition
1999 Jayco Designer 3710

kohai
Explorer
Explorer
boingram wrote:
Just took delivery of a new gmc 3500 denali cc duramax 4x4. Bed rail height just over 57 inches. Never occurred to me i might have a clearance problem...I'm new to fivers.
Looking at new 36 foot fw's speced at 12500 dry...16000 gvw...2300 to 2500 pin wt. Probably grand design...am i gonna have a clearance issue...thx..bo


I have the same truck, but the 2500 version (2015 yr). I added a 1.5" lift to my trailer and I'm still towing nose high. This is a brand new trailer as well that already had the axle flipped. So, the answer is that it depends on the trailer and the trailer manufacturer.
2014 Primetime Crusader 296BHS
2015 GMC 2500HD Denali

I am also looking at the Solitude line... been watching the videos of them for a week.... very interesting...
Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet

boingram
Explorer
Explorer
Tucson Jim...seriously lookin at the 337 and the solitude...15k difference!

Howz the 337 working for u....thx...bo

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
57" is on the low side. IIRC the new Rams are around 60-61". Should be fine.

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Heck that is the height of my 2001 Ram 4X4 I am going to install a correct track kit to get 2' lift on my 05 Copper Canyon so i am right at level.

Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

TucsonJim
Explorer II
Explorer II
No worries. I pull a Grand Design Reflection 337RLS with my '13 F350. My bed rails are at 56.5" and my FW is towing level. I have approximately 7 inches of clearance at the bed rails. I've put on 11K miles so far and I've never had a clearance issue. Please note that my 337 has 16" rims. Some of the smaller Grand Design Reflections have 15" rims and smaller tires which could result in a little less clearance.
2016 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel SRW 4x4
2017 Grand Design Reflection 297RSTS
2013 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel SRW 4x4 (Destroyed by fire - 8/29/16)
2014 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS (Destroyed by fire - 8/29/16)

rskeans
Explorer
Explorer
I sweated my Bed Rail height. I also ended up with 57". I have 8.5" clearance between the bed rail and 5ver overhang. A lot will probably depend upon the 5ver design. Spend time with a tape measure. Measure from the King Pin to the 5ver overhang. Then determine how high the King Pin will be in the truck bed. This will give you an idea if you will be OK.
'14 RAM CTD,Aisin,CC,DRW,4.10 Longhorn, LB
Aerotanks.com 70 gal underbed fuel tank.
Lifestyle LS36FW, Andersen Ultimate AL hitch

therink
Explorer
Explorer
You will be fine. I have 6 to 8 in bed rail clearance and my trailer rides level.
Steve Rinker
Rochester, NY
2013 Keystone Sydney 340FBH 5th Wheel, 12,280 lbs loaded (scale)
2015.5 GMC Sierra Denali 3500, SRW, Duramax, CC, Payload 3,700 (sticker- not scaled yet)

Take my posts for what they are, opinions based on my own experiences.