Forum Discussion

butdoit's avatar
butdoit
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014

Fifth Wheel Towing on 20" Wheels

I have been RVing for a while and have a 2012 Keystone Cougar XL 28SGS
I was towing with a 2005 Chevey Duramax Silverado, it had 18" wheels and a long bed. The 5th wheel has 15" wheels.
Just bought 2014 Ram Laramie Longhorn and did not think of or consider differences until too late, I have the Ram and now realize things are not the same. I am having the Ram Dealer install their Super Glide Hitch System to cover the short bed issue but now the difference in height issue I am stuck....now what?
Anyone been thru this have any answers or suggestions as to what else needs to be done?
Thanks you for your help
Butdoit
Tow Vehicles
  • larry_kruzan's avatar
    larry_kruzan
    Explorer
    Mar 23, 2014
    Once you hook thing up, you'll see if you are way out of level or not. Changing the pin box could be one way to handle it or flipping the axles if you are way off level.
  • outwestbound's avatar
    outwestbound
    Explorer
    Mar 22, 2014
    butdoit wrote:
    I have been RVing for a while and have a 2012 Keystone Cougar XL 28SGS
    I was towing with a 2005 Chevey Duramax Silverado, it had 18" wheels and a long bed. The 5th wheel has 15" wheels.
    Just bought 2014 Ram Laramie Longhorn and did not think of or consider differences until too late, I have the Ram and now realize things are not the same. I am having the Ram Dealer install their Super Glide Hitch System to cover the short bed issue but now the difference in height issue I am stuck....now what?
    Anyone been thru this have any answers or suggestions as to what else needs to be done?
    Thanks you for your help
    Butdoit


    butdoit, may I ask what you learned about this? I'm evaluating the 2014 F250, GM/Chevy 2500s and the RAM 2500, all diesels. I haven't decided yet. I noticed a post in this thread indicating only a .3" difference in the 18" vs. 20" wheels, so getting 18" on the RAM 2500 is no solution.

    I'm considering used travel trailers vs. fifth wheels. I'm concerned that 2-5 year old 5ers may be problematic if there is an elevation mismatch. I'd appreciate hearing about that. Thanks
  • Blackcell's avatar
    Blackcell
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2014
    I've always had 20" wheels and this was never an issue. As already mentioned its the bed and suspension on newer trucks that raise the height. My 2012 bed height is higher than my 2006 F350; same wheels and tires. There are several adjustments options to have it work and set level and depending on the fiver you may need to make adjustments on both the hitch and fiver. Our previous fiver we just had the axle springs flipped. With my current fiver I swapped out the hitch for one that has more adjustment play for raising or lowering.
  • AH64ID's avatar
    AH64ID
    Explorer
    Mar 19, 2014
    Dodge's ride a lot higher than GM products, always have. The 2013+ Ram's are also higher than previous trucks.

    You might have to either flip the axles on the 5er or raise it with larger tires to accommodate.

    Is there a difference in the Super Glide and OEM options in terms of height?
  • ib516's avatar
    ib516
    Explorer II
    Mar 19, 2014
    The 275/70/18s that come on the new RAM 2500 and 3500 SRW trucks are 33.16" tall.

    The 285/60/20s that are optional are 33.46" tall.

    There is 0.3" difference in tire height.
  • N-Trouble's avatar
    N-Trouble
    Explorer
    Mar 19, 2014
    Wheel diameter does not affect vehicle ride height. YOu will find the same truck on the lot with smaller diameter wheel option sits just as high since the overall TIRE diameter will generally the same. WHeel size has nothing to do with it. ITs a fact that all new HD trucks sit higher (both suspension and truck bed) then they did a few years back.
  • 720Deere's avatar
    720Deere
    Explorer
    Mar 19, 2014
    Have you measured the actual height? Typically the 20" optioned tires are less than 2" taller than the 18" tires which results in less than 1" of additional height.

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