Proper 5th Wheel Hitch Position

[RudiH]

I recently bought a new 5th wheel (Crossroads Cruiser Aire - 31.5') and a new Ford 250 Super Duty truck. The truck bed is higher than that of my last truck, and I am concerned about being able to level the rig without doing some modification to the pin box. I have not been able to hitch up yet because I left for Florida for 3 months for the winter right after the purchase. Is anyone towing a 5th wheel with the truck mentioned above? Did you have to make any modifications in order to tow properly?
I would like to be prepared for what I need to do when I return home.
Thank you in advance for your time and advice!

[azrving]

You have two issues, leveling and rail clearance . You can adjust the pin box, adjust the hitch and adjust the height of the FW. First thing is to shim the the FW up on scrap wood to get the rail clearance right first. You have to start with the rail clearance. Mocking it up is the best thing. Don't worry about a bunch of angles and math, you aren't going to figure it out and apply X fix to it. Also consider while mocking it up that your true travel condition is loaded.

You can go about all ofit in several ways from lowering the truck to an axle flip to tire size to subframes 2 axle alignment kits and shackle position. the main thing is knowing exactly where it is and where you want to go and how you want to get it there before you buy or do anything. when you are mocking it up you will also be able to see how your stabilizers are and your step. I ended up buying I believe 30 inch stabilizers and a torklift four step.

With it mocked up you can stand back and look at it and put a level in RV and see where it's at. if you need to raise or lower the pin or raise or lower the hitch to get the rail clearance correct you then re-adjust the wood shims under the fifth wheel tires to relevel it.

When the rail clearance is correct and the rig is level you will then know how much the fifth wheel needs to be raised or truck lowered

[RudiH]

Correction.....to raise the pin box.

[RudiH]

I only have 0ne hole left to raise the hitch. That might not be enough to solve the problem.

I don't think I would want the trailer to tow unevenly (even a little bit) with more weight on one axle than on the other. That can cause a lot of problems. Axle wear, tire wear, tire blow-out, because of too much pressure on one axle.

[Super_Dave]

And there are more than a few of us that have felt the trailer was a little nose high but hauls great. So, not jumping through a lot of hoops right now for what might be a negligible gain.

[lee_worsdell]

I found it easier to raise pin box , then I could adjust my hitch a hole or 2 to make it level

[RudiH]

Thank you, gentlemen! Your comments are very helpful. It gives me much to consider.
I was also contemplating having a steel plate configuration welded and bolted to the pin box to allow for greater adjustment (after making all other possible adjustments first of course). Has anyone used this approach?

[1Wheeldrive]

I ran in to the same problem when I upgraded my truck from a 2003 Silverado 2500 HD to a 2015 Sierra 3500 DRW. In order to maintain bed rail clearance and keep the trailer as level as possible while towing, I had a 2 inch lift installed on the trailer. As you found out, the OEM steps became and issue, making getting in the trailer more of a challenge. I ended up replacing the OEM 3 step assembly with a Torklift Glow Step 4 step assembly - problems solved. The Torklift steps are great. Because the bottom of the step assembly is supported on the ground by adjustable feet, the trailer bouncing motion while leaving or entering the trailer is eliminated.

[azrving]

I will add that if you do end up lifting the FW the step may then be too tall and the stabilizers too short. But, if enough money is thrown at it all those issues can be resolved. 🙂

[azrving]

Pull the FW onto enough scrap lumber so that it is level. You will then know the rail clearance and what adjustments are needed. After you know that the rail clearance is ok you will also know what needs to be done with the rig.

My auto slide hitch needed low profile feet/mounts and raised the pin box yet also went to 16 inch lt tires and an axle flip on FW. There are endless threads in here about it depending on how it's searched for.

[twodownzero]

All of the newer trucks are pretty tall and there are so many spring, block, drive type, tire size, and other considerations that you really will have to see in person. Fortunately, there's quite a range of heights where you'll be able to tow, even if it's not ideal.

I'm in somewhat the same position. I'm going to lower my truck about 2 inches, which should help, but I'd also like some additional bed rail clearance. I am hoping to avoid flipping the axles because fifth wheels are already boxy and tall enough, but that may end up being the solution for me.

Is your truck 4wd? Are there blocks in the rear under the leaf springs and above the axle?