Options: tow with the trailer nose high, or spend the money to lower the truck (easy on a Ford, tough on a RAM and with resulting possible drive train/warranty issues), or raise the trailer (with resulting possible height/suspension issues).How are people getting enough bed-rail-to-overhang-clearance without having the fifth wheel be too nose high?Want to hear from people who have done one of those three things and how it worked out for them. Also welcome ideas and suppositions and recommendations and thoughts:)Trailer (Cougar 23mls) is already very high on flipped axles with frame to ground at 23-24 inches. I would hesitate to raise the trailer more, not to mention the cost., but could be done.Am getting a 5th gen Ram 2500 Hemi 4x4 CC. RAM’s have coil springs in back. Lowering kits are sold, but not recommended? What to do?The solution for my current rig was to replace the F-250’s OEM 2.25/2.50 inch rear leaf spring spacers with 1 inch spacers (after assurance from two Ford Service Managers that it was okay). That resulted in about 5 inches clearance with trailer slightly nose high and truck squatted slightly - livable. (No issues with drive train or suspension on truck).

I have not raised my FW, but tow about 1 1/2"s nose high. I have my hitch set to allow about 6 1/2"s of bed clearance. Works great for me, no issues. I'm sure you've noticed many FWs being towed very nose high, too much IMO, but they are doing it.The Correct track alignment system, has been used by many, to help raise the trailer with similar issue to yours. It will raise your trailer, just over 2"s, and allow for alignment, likely better than OEM. It is not expensive...can be seen/reviewed at E-trailer.I'm curious why you are going from the 21 Ford with 7.3, to the Ram with Hemi?Jerry

Not really a 5th gen, 4.5 is what the newest are called as they are NOT totally new.How do you know the RAM won't settle in at the correct height??? Unloaded bed height has nothing to do with loaded bed height.

That little trailer won’t sink a Ram2500 “that” much. I’d expect 2-3” drop. Since they have a fairly compliant initial spring rate. Or if you’re getting an air ride model, alt trailer height gains you an inch in clearance. Although you could crank down the height a little on an air ride by adjusting the sensor rods. Not too much, don’t want to run out of susp travel, but your load is light unless you’re carrying a bunch of extra weight. If I “had” to lower the rear I’d want a leaf spring suspension to play with if you’re reverse leveling.

Expensive - If you swap out your 225/75 15" tires to 235/80 16" tires it will give you 1 1/4" more in trailer height. Of course you will need the clearances as your tires will be 2 1/2" closer together.My trailer has extremely low overhang height; one of the reasons I tow with a 2WD dually. I also tow with 5 to 5 1//2" of bedrail clearance which doesn't give me problems running forward. If backing tight uphill the overhang will kiss my trifold bed cover. In that case, I can pull out my Makita cordless inflator and pump up my air hitch to give me a temporary extra 2" of clearance. I don't think I would have any issues if I didn't have the tonneau. Then again, my rig never goes off road.Your trailer has really light pin weight. Maybe loaded up will cause your truck to squat sufficiently to level things up. Good luck.

New HD truck bed rails too tall for 5th wheel | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2023
fj12ryder wrote:
FWIW, I measured the distance on my 2018 Ram Tradesman 2WD from the ground to the top back corner of the bed. It measured 59" without the trailer hooked up. It probably sags about 2-4 inches with the Momentum on board, and tows perfectly level.

They are designed to settle in at near "LEVEL" as my truck sets in the ALT ride mode.

Both pics are with my rear air ride set to ALT mode that is near level with top corner bed at 55". Loaded is with 6k pin weight.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Feb 25, 2023
FWIW, I measured the distance on my 2018 Ram Tradesman 2WD from the ground to the top back corner of the bed. It measured 59" without the trailer hooked up. It probably sags about 2-4 inches with the Momentum on board, and tows perfectly level.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 24, 2023
rhagfo wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
After looking at the photos I can see why they are the same height. The amount of distance from the rear tire to the fender on the 2001 is huge, compared to my 2001 2WD dually. My fenders barely gave me enough room to reach in to pull the handle for the turnover ball release. Those are easily 8-10 inches more than mine.

Yes, the 2001 had the Camper Package, which looks to have the same spring pack as the 3500 DRW. It also has 16" wheels and 265/75 tires.

My 01 2500 Sport has a hell of a spring pack also and carries a nice load.

When you have time I am curious as to the height from ground to top back corner of your DRW's bed. Mine sets 55" with the air ride loaded or not.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 22, 2023
fj12ryder wrote:
After looking at the photos I can see why they are the same height. The amount of distance from the rear tire to the fender on the 2001 is huge, compared to my 2001 2WD dually. My fenders barely gave me enough room to reach in to pull the handle for the turnover ball release. Those are easily 8-10 inches more than mine.

Yes, the 2001 had the Camper Package, which looks to have the same spring pack as the 3500 DRW. It also has 16" wheels and 265/75 tires.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Feb 22, 2023
After looking at the photos I can see why they are the same height. The amount of distance from the rear tire to the fender on the 2001 is huge, compared to my 2001 2WD dually. My fenders barely gave me enough room to reach in to pull the handle for the turnover ball release. Those are easily 8-10 inches more than mine.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 22, 2023
MFL wrote:
Obviously the truck beds are higher now, than as mentioned, a 2000 model. In the years that trucks moved from 16" wheels, to 17", then 18/20" wheels, with tall tires, some things had to change. Taller tires, required suspension spacers to allow fit, and room for squat when loaded. Add heavier, or extra springs, to allow for increasing RAWR.

DRW trucks stayed with smaller tires/wheels, so often times lower bed height than SRW. Some trucks have factory air suspension to keep bed level, and may allow for lower bed height.

The OP can raise the trailer, find a truck with similar height, or just tow more nose high. IMO, towing a small FW, up to 3"s nose high, would be acceptable, but not my personal choice.

Jerry

There might be some truth to the SRW and DRW difference in height. When we bought our 2016 Ram 3500 4X4,Laramie, DRW,CTD the last day of 2018, we traded our car and kept our 2001 Ram 2500, 4X4, CTD to sell as felt it would sell quicker. So I had the opportunity to compare size a bit, and I was a bit surprised!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 22, 2023
Btw, complaining aboot this is akin to complaining that your 4wd 1 ton need a drop hitch to pull a uHaul trailer.
OP has a purpose built “1/2 ton” towable 5ver. It only stands to reason it may be a little short for a big boy truck….
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 22, 2023
mkirsch wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
And to dispell the typical rvnet rumors, new trucks haven’t gotten “so much taller.” Unless you’re comparing to, idk, 25-40 years ago models.
You probably weren’t trying to hook an old school 5ver to your bullnose F350 4x4 or 2nd gen Ram in the 80s or 90s or you wouldn’t be complaining like this is something new.

PS, you have a small 5ver with small wheels, marketed for a 1/2 ton. Did you expect it would have a Diesel Brothers off road makeover?

There's quite a jump in height from 2000 to 2015 on a Chevy 2500. Sold my Dad's old truck or I'd measure. Just firing from the hip, I'd say at least 6" difference. On his 2000, you could easily reach into the bed over the side. On his 2015, you can easily peer into the bed over the side, but you're not going to reach anything without opening the tailgate and climbing in. Both stock height.

4wd Chebbys were typically “shorter” than their F and D counterparts thru the 70s-90s. So since you cherry picked the 2000 model year, 1 year before the GMT 800 chassis started for the HDs, you’d be 100% correct.

I can’t count how many times people asked if my wife’s bone stock 02 Duramax had a lift kit. Why? Because they got appreciably taller in 2001.
But GMs of the GMT 400 and earlier vintage aside, the height hasn’t grown much.
Remember @rhfago post comparing his 2nd gen srw to 4th gen dually? I recall same height. That 2nd gen chassis started in ‘94 and the trucks haven’t gained appreciable height since then.
Old OBS and bullnose F350s and even the 250s were tall as fck. Even the bump side and dent side Fords, aka the Highboy era weren’t short.
Bet @spectra truck is close to new 3/4ton 4x4s.
cummins2014
Explorer
Feb 22, 2023
MFL wrote:
Obviously the truck beds are higher now, than as mentioned, a 2000 model. In the years that trucks moved from 16" wheels, to 17", then 18/20" wheels, with tall tires, some things had to change. Taller tires, required suspension spacers to allow fit, and room for squat when loaded. Add heavier, or extra springs, to allow for increasing RAWR.

DRW trucks stayed with smaller tires/wheels, so often times lower bed height than SRW. Some trucks have factory air suspension to keep bed level, and may allow for lower bed height.

The OP can raise the trailer, find a truck with similar height, or just tow more nose high. IMO, towing a small FW, up to 3"s nose high, would be acceptable, but not my personal choice.

Jerry

My sons new 2022 Ford 350 , and new 2022 fifth wheel runs a bit nose high ,he is as low as he can get on the bedrails. It's either lower the truck or raise the fifth wheel .

My 1999 Ford Superduty 350, and my 2008 Montana fifth wheel was pretty close to level. Same fifth wheel behind my 2014 Ram 3500 was a bit nose high . My present fifth wheel is a bit better ,but still slightly nose high . I was okay with them all. I would not of wanted to be any higher .
MFL
Nomad II
Feb 22, 2023
Obviously the truck beds are higher now, than as mentioned, a 2000 model. In the years that trucks moved from 16" wheels, to 17", then 18/20" wheels, with tall tires, some things had to change. Taller tires, required suspension spacers to allow fit, and room for squat when loaded. Add heavier, or extra springs, to allow for increasing RAWR.

DRW trucks stayed with smaller tires/wheels, so often times lower bed height than SRW. Some trucks have factory air suspension to keep bed level, and may allow for lower bed height.

The OP can raise the trailer, find a truck with similar height, or just tow more nose high. IMO, towing a small FW, up to 3"s nose high, would be acceptable, but not my personal choice.

Jerry