Forum Discussion

Dandy_Dan's avatar
Dandy_Dan
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015

Hitch Help

I need assistance from those that may have had the same problem. I have a 5er that used to be towed with a 2005 Dodge Quad Long bed. Recently I snagged a "used" 2014 Chevy 3500HD dually.(only 7000 miles and also long bed)) I need to get more clearance when hooked. I was backing into my parking space and not cranked off very far and something around the pin box bumped the top of the bed rail. This truck has the covered bed rails.
I was too ignorant to stop and look to see exactly what got into the tonneau cover rail as it just scuffed it. I have had my hitch rails from the Dodge reinstalled with new brand specific hardware. I installed the A frame and then the 5er hitch plate. The hitch is set in the highest hole. It is a Reese Pro Series 5th wheel hitch. I am open for suggestions on how to raise the hitch height of the 5th wheel plate. I have had suggestion to drop the pin box down to raise the height of the hitch plate and pin, then cut off the part of the angle. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
  • C_B_'s avatar
    C_B_
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2015
    I have a customer storing by me that had the same problem when he went to a new GM truck.
    the solution was as you've stated. Drop the pin box and cut the angle.


    C.B.
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Nov 13, 2015
    I have the same problem. It's not because of the truck. The pinbox on the trailer is too long. I've noticed that on some trailers the mount for the pinbox is farther ahead and they can use a shorter pinbox. I have some excess on the rear of mine after the box is bolted on. Doesn't look like it does anything. Thinking about cutting it off also..

    B.O.
  • Michelle_S's avatar
    Michelle_S
    Explorer III
    Nov 14, 2015
    Measure from the center of the King Pin to the rear corner of the pin box assembly, then measure the distance between the TV bed rails and divide that number by 2. You will most likely find that the Pin Box is longer the half the bed rails distance. So the only real solution is to remove some of that material on the rear of the pin box, because if you try to raise the Hitch and Lower the pin box to gain clearance you will find yourself Nose High.
    I've had the same issues with a 2005 3500 Dually and current 2011 3500 Dually and three different fifthwheels.
  • Dayle1's avatar
    Dayle1
    Explorer II
    Nov 14, 2015
    The Sidewinder or Revolution pin box totally solves the problem. While it is the same length and keeps the pin weight over the truck's rear axle, the pivot point moves back under the fiver and there is nothing to rotate into the truck bed side rails.
  • Rich1961's avatar
    Rich1961
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2015
    OP,

    You have the same issue I had with mine. I ended up cutting the corner of the pin box to get the clearance needed to not hit the bed rail. I had less than 1/2" between the pin box and bed rail when turning before I trimmed the corner.



    It wasn't hard to do, took about an hour including painting the raw edges.

    Rich

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