2016 Ram 3500 Hitch Height issue

minnow wrote:

MSGTRETIREDCSP wrote:

minnow wrote:
Do you have the Air auto level option ?

No. I thought I might want it, but after looking at the truck, I decided I didn't need it. I did install air bags on my F-350. Not because I needed them, but because I wanted the truck to ride completely level. The suspension on this Ram is stiff enough that when the truck squats, it only squats to a level position.

With the Ram air suspension, there is no to little squat from what I've seen. The rear goes down and then right back up as the air suspension kicks in so that impacts the clearance between the rail and the fiver as well as the levelness of the truck and fiver. That's why I need to get a hitch that I can have some adjustment too. It appears I need a hitch that starts at around 13", which precludes looking at a B&W as they are too tall.

We have a '16 Ram 3500 SRW SB with no OEM or aftermarket air suspension. A 13" high hitch positions our 5th wheel about 6" above the bed rails and approx. 1 - 1 1/2" nose high (barely noticeable). King pin cannot be adjusted any lower. The axles came already flipped from the factory. The unit is already 13' 4" high, so not interested in making any suspension mods and risk making it even higher or potentially unstable in crosswinds. In our situation, an OEM air suspension would have aggravated our situation considerably---we need that rear sag--lol!

If you're confident you need a 13" hitch height (and you have a gooseneck capability), you may want to look at the Andersen Ultimate #3221 hitch which sits about 4" lower than the other Andersen hitches, including the popular Andersen Ultimate #3220. It's my understanding that Andersen sells various gooseneck adapters (for the bottom assembly) that will allow use of the Andersen Ultimate #3221, advertised for use in a "flatbed" truck, in a regular pickup truck with a gooseneck.

Do you have the OEM 5th Wheel Prep Package? If you use the OEM RAM or Reese "picture frame" adapter, it's approx. 1 3/4" to 2" high. A universal rail system is typically 3/4 - 1" high. Anyhow, depending on your setup, it could be important to note that the OEM Ram or Reese "picture frame" adapter will add approx. 1" to your hitch height vs. use of a universal rail.

As for rear-end sag/squat/drop, I can tell you our '16 Ram 3500 SRW SB suspension (with a payload rating of 3960 lbs.) drops about 3" - 3 1/2" with approx. 3000-3200 lbs. of payload (pin weight, hitch, and gear). Total suspension travel EMPTY is 5 1/2" (measured from the bottom of the rubber frame stop to the top of the axle tube).