Forum Discussion

philaura's avatar
philaura
Explorer
Jan 21, 2019

Question about 5th wheel rail clearance with Andersen Hitch

I have a Genesis 32CR Fifth Wheel Toyhauler pulled by a 2017 Chevy 3500 LTZ CC 4x4 dually. We like to go Boondocking where we can ride our four wheelers. While going from a gravel road to a campsite we often encounter rough, bumpy roads with ruts. My Andersen Hitch allows almost lots of side to side articulating of the trailer on the ball, where a regular side to side fifth wheel hitch limits the side to side articulation because the hitch plate side to side motion is limited. So in a nutshell - I am concerned about the side rails of my truck coming in contact with the bottom of the fifth wheel cap overhang. By the way, I'm not giving up my Andersen Hitch. I am an old fart who would much rather lift a 35 pound hitch than a 150 pound hitch out of the truck.

I have read where some folks reverse their Andersen Hitch in the truck so the hitch point is closer to the cab, claiming that this results in more clearance between the truck bed rails and the bottom of the fifth wheel front overhang.

Is this really true? Can you increase the bed rail clearance just by reversing the Andersen Hitch where their hitch ball is closer to the cab? I have taken a tape measure out to the truck and imagined the truck and trailer at a ninety degree angle, and I can not for the life of me determine how moving your trailer turning point closer to the cab will result in more clearance. Can anyone explain to me how this is possible????

Idahotruckman
  • Call Andersen in Idaho Falls ID. They are very good to work with and can answer your questions and concerns better than relying on some of us. When I have called them they are very happy to talk hitch issues.
  • Sorry I have nothing useful to add to your post.

    However, I have to ask... Who lifts the hitch in and out? Leave it hooked to your camper and drive out from under it ;)

    Happy trails :)
  • Since we have a double post I'm going to clsoe this thread, please continue this discussion here.