Towing a 5'r with a 4X4

[GertiesTravels]

We are looking for a new (to us)TV and would like to go with a 2500 4x4 crew cab short bed to tow our Cruiser. We are looking in the 2008 to 2011 range and got a Big shock at the height of the rails on these trucks! Fords seem to run about 57 inches and Chevy/GMC or Dodge are hovering in the 60" range. Problem is our 5'r is 58" under the nose and I have already done the axle flip.Surely people must be hauling 5'rs with 4x4's, how is it done?
Any advise would be surely appreciated.
Thanks
Jim D

[GertiesTravels]

goducks10 wrote:
12 Ram 2500 CC LB 4x4. 58" at top of bed. 6" clearance on 5'er. If you've done the flip you must have something else going on to only be 58" at the overhang. That's an extremely low 5'er. Do you have 2 or 3 steps to get in the 5'er?

Three steps going into the main quarters and two steps up into the nose bedroom. The Crossroads Cruiser is built with a low roof line, only 11'-6" to the top of the AC (highest point) The nose sits lower than many 5'rs. I am also looking at going with 16" wheels with truck tires to give me a couple of more inches. Biggest problem is that I am currently 2500 miles from the Cruiser. We left it back in Wisconsin when we moved to Washington State late last year so I do not have it to make direct comparisons to. Hate to spend all those retirement $$$ on a new truck only to find that I will have to make mods to truck and/or trailer before I can haul it to its new home!

[jerem0621]

OP I like that western hauler you have there! Those are getting rare!

[goducks10]

12 Ram 2500 CC LB 4x4. 58" at top of bed. 6" clearance on 5'er. If you've done the flip you must have something else going on to only be 58" at the overhang. That's an extremely low 5'er. Do you have 2 or 3 steps to get in the 5'er?

[j2catfish]

I installed three (3) inch lower shackles on the rear of my 2008 Chebbie crew cab, long bed, 4X4 dually. Was an easy do it your self install. Still a little nose high but my 5er manual says a "little" nose high when hooked up is OK. Have had no problems so far, including during the boondock time in the Q.

[kroghville]

WE pull a Montana with a 2011 F-350 SRW and it tows level. No Problem!!!

[Gunship_Guy]

I posted this pic on another thread where this topic came up. We have a 4x4 with no suspension mods to truck or 5'er. Ample clearance.

[rhagfo]

We have an 01 Ran 4X4 and it is 58" at the TG, I think I measured the 5er at the nose once , but don't remember the measurement. We tow a tad nose high, not so much it is an issue. I am looking at ways to get it 100% level.

[Grey_Sailor]

I have a F350 4x4 and Cedar Creek with front A/C. In order to get the rig down to legal height (13' 6" in most states), I had to adjust my pin box shorter and lower the mounting arms on my B&W Companion hitch. Don't know if your equipment allows for this, but something to look at.

GertiesTravels wrote:
We are looking for a new (to us)TV and would like to go with a 2500 4x4 crew cab short bed to tow our Cruiser. We are looking in the 2008 to 2011 range and got a Big shock at the height of the rails on these trucks! Fords seem to run about 57 inches and Chevy/GMC or Dodge are hovering in the 60" range. Problem is our 5'r is 58" under the nose and I have already done the axle flip.Surely people must be hauling 5'rs with 4x4's, how is it done?
Any advise would be surely appreciated.
Thanks
Jim D

[AZ_T_T]

I had to have my FW lifted 4" to have enough clearance to go into some of the unimproved areas. Before the lift we had 5 inches of clearance and now we have 9 inches.

[DavisK]

When I hitch mine up, the truck settles down a little so it is not too high. It still tows a little nose high. I wish someone made airbags for 5th wheels, so I could raise it after I hitch it up.

[ReneeG]

Same here with the long bed. Ours is a 4x4 F30 DRW. Fiver rides level with plenty of clearance.

[powderman426]

The truck must be lifted. I have the same height on my trailer and I have enough clearance. The only difference is I have a long bed.

[BB_TX]

Many of the 5ers do ride a little nose high, including mine. But, at least in my case, it is not enough to be a concern. A couple inches nose high is not going to shift any significant amount of weight to the rear axle.

[donn0128]

Thats one reason I got a 4X2. But you do have to remember that the rear end is going to drop maybe 2 inches to level.