Truck Bed Clearance

[lowfly]

I just traded in my 2005 4wd F350 for a Ram 2500 4wd and love it. But, I didn't realized the bed, therefore hitch, was that much higher than what I had. I will be dropping the hitch a hole or two but I'm concerned that beyond that point I might be compromising distance between the bed and the 5er. Anyone else run into this since I'm guessing I should maintain at least a 3" space.

[RustyJC]

Nope - our truck is a 4x2. Generally speaking, getting the required bed rail clearance is less of a problem on the lower-riding 4x2 trucks.

Rusty

[mr68gto]

Hello, I am new to RV camping and in fact don't have one yet. I am currently looking at 5th wheels but have a question concerning TV. My truck is a 2011 F350 DRW 6.7 CC LB but is NOT 4x4. Everything I see posted seems to be with a 4x4 TV. So will that present a problem with having proper bed clearance and level 5th? I have a B&W hitch that adjusts 2 inches. Specs indicate the bed should be about 2.5 inches lower than the same Ford 4x4. Don't know how much it will settle. I'm looking at around 2k hitch weight. Payload is ~5700 lbs max so I'm guessing its fairly stiff.

thks

[Glenn_West]

A hauler bed was only way to level mine. Anyone not level should get tire temps. If you have more weight on rear it will run hotter. I do have a 3 axle unit but we were not level with box bed and had 20 degrees high temp on rear axle tires. This is not acceptable and installed hauler bed and air ride hitch. Problem solved.

[lowfly]

Thank you everyone for your great comments. The weather has prevented trying your solutions but this weekend I hope to give it a shot. Let you know how it goes.

[AZ_T_T]

rhagfo wrote:

AZ T&T wrote:
I have 9 inches of clearance and wish I had a little more.

WHY!!!!:h

I have about 5-1/2" and have gone over some silly twisted driveway and never had an issue. Having 9" of bed clearance on a 4X4 will bring up overhead clearance issues, not to mention possible nose high condition.

We almost exclusively go boondocking in some pretty rough areas. Even with a 9" clearance I have gotten very close to making contact.

[AZ_T_T]

up2nogood wrote:

AZ T&T wrote:
I have 9 inches of clearance and wish I had a little more.

Wow, I guess a few things here, a fifth wheel that is sitting pretty tall on the frame, or an awfully short truck or a way out of level fifth wheel.

I had the FW lifted 4 inches. It rides level now.

[rhagfo]

AZ T&T wrote:
I have 9 inches of clearance and wish I had a little more.

WHY!!!!:h

I have about 5-1/2" and have gone over some silly twisted driveway and never had an issue. Having 9" of bed clearance on a 4X4 will bring up overhead clearance issues, not to mention possible nose high condition.

[chevor]

Lose the box and go flatbed,

[cummins2014]

AZ T&T wrote:
I have 9 inches of clearance and wish I had a little more.

Wow, I guess a few things here, a fifth wheel that is sitting pretty tall on the frame, or an awfully short truck or a way out of level fifth wheel.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

up2nogood wrote:

cbconway wrote:

RustyJC wrote:

mountainsam wrote:
I drove to the storage lot today for the first hook up to my 5er and 2014 Ram 2500. I could not see the hitch over the back seat headrest.

I removed the center rear seat headrest - problem solved!

Rusty

X2 With the center seat headrest removed I can even hookup using the rear view mirror.

I guess the rear seats don't fold down ?? I just fold mine down on my 2014 Ram, but its the megacab.

Bragger!

Hey, just wait and get the Megacab dully when they come out with the long bed instead of just the shorbed

[AZ_T_T]

I have 9 inches of clearance and wish I had a little more.

[Cummins12V98]

up2nogood wrote:

cbconway wrote:

RustyJC wrote:

mountainsam wrote:
I drove to the storage lot today for the first hook up to my 5er and 2014 Ram 2500. I could not see the hitch over the back seat headrest.

I removed the center rear seat headrest - problem solved!

Rusty

X2 With the center seat headrest removed I can even hookup using the rear view mirror.

I guess the rear seats don't fold down ?? I just fold mine down on my 2014 Ram, but its the megacab.

Bragger!

[kaydeejay]

whistlebritches wrote:
Don't understand why the truck manufacturers don't understand that these heavy duties will be towing a lot of 5th wheel RVs and make the bed height accordingly.

Because we want to carry a heavy load AND ride nice they have to provide soft springs with a lot of travel.
This make the unloaded bed high, but they settle a lot once loaded up.
The other point is that only a very small percentage of owners hook up a fifth wheel compared to total volume. The larger market will be the focus all the time and we are left holding the bag!

[mountainsam]

Back to the lot this morning with the lowered hitch and the little ball guides for hook up. The guides worked great. Never had to twist to look back. hooked up with just looking in the rear view mirror. Easiest hook up I have ever had and this way I don't forget to lower the tail gate (hasn't happened yet but....). As for the lowered hitch, math doesn't lie. Lowered the hitch 2-1/2 inches and the rear of the trailer came up 1-1/2 inches and the front came down 2" The gap on the bed rails closed to 5-1/2 to 6". After a short drive I think I will be ok with that. I have torsion suspension on the trailer so raising it isn't an option at this time. Trailer sits 5-1/2" high in the front. That I think I can live with.