Fifth wheel hitch for F350 with truch camper suspension

[fjrjohnny]

After owning a truck camper for a number of years, were are changing over to a smaller fifth wheel tow hauler. Will be getting a 2009 KZ Sportsman 29P, and currently drive a '09 F350 PSD with the optional truck camper package and air bags. Would like to buy the hitch yet this year, but before doing so, have a question in regards to the fifth wheel hitch height.

With the Lance 915 truck camper on the truck, the suspension does not even cause the override spring to come in contact with the frame. The gap between the spring and the truck is usually about 1", with the minimum amount of air in the bags.

Am questioning whether there will be any difficulty matching-up a fifth wheel hitch to my truck, which because of the suspension, sits rather high when unloaded.

The TW on the camper will be around 1700#, while its GVW will be about 7200#. Both of these figures are dry, and the gross is closer to 10,000#.

Has anyone ran into a situation like this, or can someone provide me with some advice?

Thanks

[fjrjohnny]

Thanks to everyone for your responses and advice. They were quite useful, and there is now a better understanding on my end as to how things are supposed to work and look with a fiver.

Am having the unit delivered tomorrow, and will place both it and my truck on a level surface with a ton of pellets in the long bed. This should give me an idea as how things might match up.

[Hvyhauler]

My Dodge dually is also used to haul our heavy Lance 1130 truck camper.I do not have any hitch height problems at all. The Lance will load it down to touch the overloads.

I use 2" blocks to space the overload bumpers to engage the overload springs sooner with the Lance on the truck ( sits level /handles great ) Either way with or without the spacers there is no hitch height problems on my set up.

I don't use the spacer blocks when towing the 5er,the ride is much smoother without the blocks and the overloads are "not" engaged with the 5er pin weight on the truck.

My truck unloaded sits considerable higher in the back like yours. I use a Pullrite Superglide hitch from my Dodge short box daily driver that pivots side to side and front to back.

There are several made in the USA hitches available that will do a good job for you. Good luck with your new hitch choice and 5er.

[kennethwooster]

I have a F350 4X4 dually 2014 with camper option, and off road option. Had a B&W with the pucks installed and pull a 2011 Cameo. Everything is perfect. Camper is level, and have exact clearance between bedrail and trailer. I would think you would be fine. I you can't make anymore adjustments guess you can flip your trailer axles.

[laknox]

fjrjohnny wrote:
After owning a truck camper for a number of years, were are changing over to a smaller fifth wheel tow hauler. Will be getting a 2009 KZ Sportsman 29P, and currently drive a '09 F350 PSD with the optional truck camper package and air bags. Would like to buy the hitch yet this year, but before doing so, have a question in regards to the fifth wheel hitch height.

With the Lance 915 truck camper on the truck, the suspension does not even cause the override spring to come in contact with the frame. The gap between the spring and the truck is usually about 1", with the minimum amount of air in the bags.

Am questioning whether there will be any difficulty matching-up a fifth wheel hitch to my truck, which because of the suspension, sits rather high when unloaded.

The TW on the camper will be around 1700#, while its GVW will be about 7200#. Both of these figures are dry, and the gross is closer to 10,000#.

Has anyone ran into a situation like this, or can someone provide me with some advice?

Thanks

Since I'm a B&W "fanboy", according to some, I'll recommend any of the B&W Companion hitches. FWIW, I have mine set as high and as far forward as it will go. I do tow 2-3" nose-high and have not had any issues doing so. I run about 8" of bed clearance and need nearly all of it to get into my usual boondock camping site. I also can not hit my truck when turning either direction with my very square-front FW, while going forward. If you have a SWB truck, a slider may be preferable; if LWB, then a slider isn't needed.

Lyle

[Second_Chance]

fjrjohnny,

You might want to look on-line at the Andersen Ultimate Fifth Wheel Connection (there are some YouTube videos that show it in action, as well). We chose it because of the weight savings over a conventional hitch (and it has a 16K capacity), but because of its design, it articulates in all directions and eliminates chucking. The height of the hitch is adjustable up and down and you can install the hitch to put the pivot point either slightly behind or slightly in front of the rear axle of the truck. There are versions that mount either on a turnover ball or standard bed rails. You'll find some bad-mouthing of the Andersen system on the internet - but I've seen none from people who actually own and use one (which includes me).

Rob

[RustyJC]

fjrjohnny wrote:
Thanks Rusty, will make sure to stay between that 6-8" range. Am assuming that this is a rather light, or lighter fiver. Would you still recommend a hitch that flexs both ways, and what carrying capacity would you go with (ie....15k etc.)?

Yes, I'd certainly recommend a double pivot (fore/aft and side-to-side) hitch. You're probably not going to find one worth having rated for any less than 16K lbs.

Rusty

[fjrjohnny]

Thanks to everyone. Would love to continue this discuss now, but am heading out to work. Will check in later. Much appreciated!

[CWSWine]

I have F350 and have my B&W hitch in the lowest position and the pin on the 5er at the highest position which gives me about 5 1/2 clearance on the bed rails. The axles are flipped already on the 5er and I'm still less than 1 inch high in the front. Yes it can be problem and only way you going know is hook the 5er up and see where you are, there is no generic answer to your question.

[fjrjohnny]

Thanks Rusty, will make sure to stay between that 6-8" range. Am assuming that this is a rather light, or lighter fiver. Would you still recommend a hitch that flexs both ways, and what carrying capacity would you go with (ie....15k etc.)?

[MFL]

With 2,000 lbs. of pellets loaded, would be an ideal time to measure from ground to bed height, and ground to bed rail height (should be about 20"s more).

Now you just need to park trailer level, then measure to bottom of the over hang.

Many hitches are adjustable. I know the B&W Patriot is adjustable up/down, and ahead/back. It is one of the best hitches for the money. Take a look at e-trailer, or tweety's.

Jerry

[RustyJC]

fjrjohnny wrote:
We are due to pick up a ton of pellets for our stove, and suppose that could give me an idea of where it might sit. Some fifth wheel hitches are listed as being shorter that others as well.

The limitation on how low you can go in adjusting the hitch or the pin box is the 5th wheel overhang to top of bed rail clearance. A good rule of thumb is 6" minimum, 8" preferred. Yes, you can run with less, but the chances of 5th wheel to bed rail contact when entering sloped driveways, crossing ditches, etc. goes up proportionately.

Rusty

[fjrjohnny]

Thanks for your reply Don. My main concern was that with the 2k TW on the truck, that it may still be too high even with the hitch set at it lowest setting. This might cause the front of the fiver to be too high?

We are due to pick up a ton of pellets for our stove, and suppose that could give me an idea of where it might sit. Some fifth wheel hitches are listed as being shorter that others as well.

[donn0128]

10K fiver is going to place approx 2000 pounds directly over your rear axle. Want to get a good feel for ride height? Place 2000 pounds of something in the truck bed. Otherwise, buy your favorite hitch brand and go. Most hitches and fiver pins have height adjustments so you can level your trailer out. Some have multiple holes in the spring hangers for more adjustments.