Truck/trailer height question

[work2much]

He all, new to this forum. My wife and I have been truck campers for many years. Now that we are retired and looking to do more and longer trips we are considering adding a 5th wheel trailer to our camping arsenal . We would use the TC for more primitive trips and the 5er for longer trips.

I'm sure I will have many questions as I get up to speed but one initial question I have is the trailer being level when pulled. I see quite a few setups where the trailer isn't level, usually the front too high. I am assuming that has to do with the bed of the truck being too high?

The setup we are looking at would be a 2017ish Dodge Ram Diesel 3500 dually 4x4 and a Grand Design 303RLS. We are pretty sure on the Truck but open on the trailer. Trailer shopping is tiresome and confusing. Not very impressed with the quality of any of them for fit and finish.The GD seemed like a decent/affordable unit and my wife loves the floorpan. Looking to buy later this year after a long trip we have planned to Alaska for the summer.

Does anyone run a similar set-up? Would we have to lift the trailer or is there enough adjustment in the hitch to make a level ride?

Also looking for any advice/experience with the Ram puck system. Recommendations on hitches for the factory prep is appreciated.

Thanks!

[KKELLER14K]

B & W is by far a better made and yes, heavier hitch. The Head of the hitch is also detachable. Note the smaller lever and hitch head lock. The head of the hitch has a lot of adjustment not only up and down but forward and Aft. More than the Curt if I'm not mistaken. American made. Go touch and feel this for yourself...you will not be disappointed. Trucks of the 3500 and up have extreme bed heights. Lighter and smaller 5th wheels (tandems) just don't have the tongue weight. So you might be looking at that axle lift if this is where your going. Now the larger triple axle types are way heavier on the kingpin, so is the overall weight. Which in turn plays with MPG. The pin box also adjustable but not all are going to give you a level ride. Your tow truck will also come with these questions...OK can of worms here....you already said diesel which I totally agree but... Gear ratio? Auto or manual? yada yada. It is a different thread...do your research. These are big ticket items...take your time ask and learn. It will make a difference in your tow ratings on which combo you go with...I'm guessing you don't want to be shifting...it's a lot of work but that rear end gear ratio is a big one depending on the load you want to carry. Good luck...and welcome to our forum.

[Cummins12V98]

work2much wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


The Curt/RAM 5er hitches are all Made in China. B&W are all Made in USA.

That's good enough for me. B&W it is.

To be clear their bumper pull hitches are Made in USA use along with their loaded ball mounts, I just bought one to haul my MC trailer. Their website is a bit deceiving about their product origins. Best to contact Curt to be sure if it's an important buying decision. I can tell you they will not respond to an email.

[work2much]

Cummins12V98 wrote:


The Curt/RAM 5er hitches are all Made in China. B&W are all Made in USA.

That's good enough for me. B&W it is.

[MFL]

djgodden wrote:

Jim102 wrote:
I have a 2016 GMC Serria 2400HD (short bed) 6.0 and a new 2017 Wildcat 29RLX (32ft) I am going to get a PullRight slide hitch. What do you think? Thdo Reese 16K slider looked like a pain to have to deal with. We are new to the 5th wheel, but have been camping since 78 and have gone through a few trailers but no 5th till now.....We are looking for an easy transition
Thanks, Jim

From my experience... don't get the slider before towing for a while and seeing if you really need it. I have a 6.5 ft bed Ram 2500 towing a 5er and have a slider but its never been used. Was a waste of money IMHO.

This standard bed Ford guy has no slider. If the above Ram guy does not need one, Ram being the shortest from axle to cab, the GM guy will not need a slider. GM has the longest distance from the axle to cab.

Jerry

[Cummins12V98]

"Only one choice in hitches for the RAM puck system. B&W RVK3600. Rock solid no slop, no question if hitched."

"Thanks, I have heard good things about the B&W hitches. I have also heard good things about the Curt hitches. Also considering this one."

Curt Hitch for Ram puck

My in-law has the RAM/CURT, 25K hitch in his 3500 2015 RAM Dually. He does NOT like it because when unhitching it binds a high percentage of times. He watched me unhook a couple weeks ago in Laughlin, NV and said "I wish I had your hitch". His came with his truck.

The Curt/RAM 5er hitches are all Made in China. B&W are all Made in USA.

Curt 25K hitch has only 2 bolts on each side holding hitch head to base. B&W has four 1/2" grade 8 bolts on each side.

The B&W jaws are fully enclosed and machined 1" thick. CURT has 1/2" thick jaws.

The CURT locking handle has a very flimsy locking device with color coding. B&W has a simple lever to latch, no question if you are latched.

Yes B&W is MORE $$$ but YA get what YA pay for!

[Jim102]

Digodden,
I traded in a 5th, Open Range that didn't need a slider because of the configuration on the nose. Well, the Wildcat wasn't like that it needed a slider, so while backing the Wildcat into the driveway I popped the back window on my truck...... The dealer, to their credit, paid for the back window and gave me a Reese 16K slider....The Reese slider adds a few steps to the process for backing up that I really didn't want, trading it for the Pullright which looks real easy to use.....

Jim

[work2much]

Only one choice in hitches for the RAM puck system. B&W RVK3600. Rock solid no slop, no question if hitched.

Thanks, I have heard good things about the B&W hitches. I have also heard good things about the Curt hitches. Also considering this one.

Curt Hitch for Ram puck

[djgodden]

Jim102 wrote:
I have a 2016 GMC Serria 2400HD (short bed) 6.0 and a new 2017 Wildcat 29RLX (32ft) I am going to get a PullRight slide hitch. What do you think? Thdo Reese 16K slider looked like a pain to have to deal with. We are new to the 5th wheel, but have been camping since 78 and have gone through a few trailers but no 5th till now.....We are looking for an easy transition
Thanks, Jim

From my experience... don't get the slider before towing for a while and seeing if you really need it. I have a 6.5 ft bed Ram 2500 towing a 5er and have a slider but its never been used. Was a waste of money IMHO.

[Jim102]

I have a 2016 GMC Serria 2400HD (short bed) 6.0 and a new 2017 Wildcat 29RLX (32ft) I am going to get a PullRight slide hitch. What do you think? Thdo Reese 16K slider looked like a pain to have to deal with. We are new to the 5th wheel, but have been camping since 78 and have gone through a few trailers but no 5th till now.....We are looking for an easy transition
Thanks, Jim

[Wild_Card]

j2catfish wrote:
Some manufacturers say it is OK to have a "slight" nose up attitude on the 5er. Define "slight". Any way, I lowered my truck using 3" lowering shackles and got the clearance I needed. I don't run the desert roads as much as I used to so I am not worried about the Monster Truck look. YMMV
Catfish

Ever pay attention to an 18 wheeler rolling down the road? There all nose high. 2-3" nose high is not a problem

[j2catfish]

Some manufacturers say it is OK to have a "slight" nose up attitude on the 5er. Define "slight". Any way, I lowered my truck using 3" lowering shackles and got the clearance I needed. I don't run the desert roads as much as I used to so I am not worried about the Monster Truck look. YMMV
Catfish

[CJW8]

Mine looked a little low in front and my bed clearance was a little over 4 inches. I have the Pullrite superglide with super rails. Pullrite makes a 3" lift kit for the superglide that I just installed. Now it looks just a tad high in front and my bed clearance is just over 7". Cost of lift kit was $143. I am installing 1" blocks and longer U bolts which will give me the extra clearance since I installed 1" taller tires and all will be well.

[tinner12002]

work2much wrote:

Jhurk wrote:
I have a 2014 Dodge Ram 3500 Reg box pulling a 2009 Cardinal 34'. I used the Anderson Ulitmate Aluminum hitch (35lbs) great hitchmfor a short box and 200 lbs lighter than some heavy hitches. I had to raise my Cardinal 5 " to make level but all is good. I believe the newer FW are taller to accommodate the newer TV.

Thanks. Is raising the trailer as simple as blocks and longer u bolts?

It can be as that's how I've raised both my toy haulers. If done properly, by upgrading to heavier u-bolts and not going over 2" blocks, I feel its just as safe as some of the longer shackle systems out there. Ultimately having an a subframe installed and welded in by a competent welder and reinstalling the spring hangers and axles would be the ultimate setup but for 1-2" rise that might be needed I would/have used blocks. If your only two or three inches out of level I wouldn't worry about it and go camping!
As for a hitch, definitely get the 5th wheel prep on your Ram. I use the 25K B&W in mine and I feel its a great hitch, very simple to install and remove. As for air ride, I opted out of that for mine when I ordered it, just didn't like the idea of having 4K on my truck and then a bag deciding to go south so I stayed with the leaf spring setup.

[john_bet]

The 5th's that I measured a couple of weeks ago at an Indy show were 60" at the over hang. I have measured a few Ford and Chevy 44x4 heights and they were 60". There were no Rams locally to measure. So how do they fit? I ask a Ram salesman for the height info on a 3500srw 2wd with air ride and he can not find it.