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Some thoughts

okiejoe
Explorer
Explorer
Just replaced my tow vehicle with a new to me 2013 Duramax RWD 3500, I had a 2006 Dodge Ram with the 5.9 Cummins, Well, the dodge bedrail sat at 55 inches tall the Duramax sits at 57 inches so what do you think? It's 2 inches higher but when I hooked up with the dodge and raised the legs on my 5er it sagged to the helper spring (barely) then I would have to run the air bags I had on it to level the trailer and truck for towing then I also have a trailersaver airride hitch that I air up to raise the trailer nose another inch or so. So my question is what do you think, do you think the 2 inches higher on my new to me truck will make much difference? Before I had about 5 inches between bedrail and trailer.

Oh the reason I haven't hooked it up a tried it yet is I had back surgery and my hitch is in the other truck which I get the hitch tomorrow but just wondering, I think it will be fine when I put the weight of the trailer onto the truck.
10 REPLIES 10

alboy
Explorer
Explorer
I went from a 06 ram 3500 to a 15 gmc 3500 ,same hitch set up ,i lost about 2 inches of clearance at a level tow.

okiejoe
Explorer
Explorer
Yea I've thought about seeing if there is a block to remove between rear axle and spring and bed depth is the same as previous truck, yes I did air hitch to gain some space but mostly for cushion, yes I ask know I can get risers from trailer saver and I also have a little adjustment left on the hitch. The problem with my trailer is it has the MoRyde IS Suspension System, no axles to flip but I could take it back to MoRyde and have them put a bigger spacer in it to get it to hieght.

4x4ord
Explorer III
Explorer III
The F350's have about a 3" block between the rear leaf spring and axle that the F250 doesn't have. I suspect the 3500 GM is the same. I wonder if you could lower the rear of your new truck by removing that axle block?
2023 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
B&W Companion
2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5

Huntindog
Explorer
Explorer
The newer trucks have deeper beds, That allows them to claim more cubic feet for payload.

Most recommend at least 6" of clearance between the 5ver and the bed rail. So you need to fix this. Most will raise the 5ver to do it.
Huntindog
100% boondocking
2021 Grand Design Momentum 398M
2 bathrooms, no waiting
104 gal grey, 104 black,158 fresh
FullBodyPaint, 3,8Kaxles, DiscBrakes
17.5LRH commercial tires
1860watts solar,800 AH Battleborn batterys
2020 Silverado HighCountry CC DA 4X4 DRW

Durb
Explorer
Explorer
Chance of some added chucking but your hitch will take care of that. One thing to consider: If the new truck's height is due to additional bed height (bed to rail) then you might run into clearance issues since you started with 5" to begin with. Do you air up your hitch higher for bed clearance reasons or just up to the towing line? I believe Trailersaver can supply you with mounting risers to raise your hitch if necessary.

Hope the new truck squats the right amount and you are good to go.

okiejoe
Explorer
Explorer
No that's with no trailer on it, stock hieght. My previous truck a Dodhe Ram 3500 RWD was at 55 inches, I think I can make some adjustments to either the hitch pin or the 5th wheel hitch itself.

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
okiejoe are you saying the GM is at 57" AFTER the RV is attached? That seems high.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

azdryheat
Explorer
Explorer
I have a Curt 20K hitch and it sits in the highest setting and my toy hauler rides fine with no clearance issues.
2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE

azdryheat
Explorer
Explorer
I have a Curt 20K hitch and it sits in the highest setting and my toy hauler rides fine with no clearance issues.
2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE

IdaD
Explorer
Explorer
I don't personally think 5" is enough rail clearance and I doubt you'll have even that if your new truck is 2" higher. There are a variety of ways you could go about lifting the trailer up a bit so it rides level with adequate clearance.
2015 Cummins Ram 4wd CC/SB