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Old 10-15-2013, 12:56 PM   #1
Nick & Gia's Trailer
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leveling tow vehicle and 5th wheel

I would like to know what is the acceptable clearance between the bed rails of the tv and the 5th wheel. I currently have approximately 12" at this point.

Second part of question: I have noticed that the 5th wheel is higher in the front then rear. I cannot lower the hitch (Reese 16K with slide) as there are no more holes for adjustment up or down. The hitch comes with the square bed attachment that fits the "Pucks" in my 2013 Ford F-250 4X4 Super Duty Short Bed. After measuring the bed attachment, it raises the hitch by 5".

Third part of question: The pin box on the 5th Wheel (2013 Cougar Xlite 29RBS) still has three available bolt holes going up.

I have air bags on tv not for weight but I like the truck level when 5th wheel is attached. I only have approximately 25 -30 lbs of air in bags.

I think I covered all the bases on TV and RV information. (Approximately 6" higher in front then rear on level ground

So if I raise the pin box how will that affect the level.
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Old 10-15-2013, 01:38 PM   #2
hankpage
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6" or more is ideal for bed-rail clearance. I think raising the pinbox one hole and dropping the pressure in you air bags 10 lbs should get you just about level and still maintain good clearance. Good luck, Hank
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Old 10-15-2013, 02:55 PM   #3
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If you already have 12" of clearance that is plenty! I'd follow Hank's suggestion of raising the pin box on the 5ver which will lower its front end. Try 1 notch first and if it still isn't the way you want it, try raising it another one. You have lots of clearance to play with!
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Old 10-15-2013, 03:30 PM   #4
LittleJoe
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If you have 12" at bed rails you can go down up to 6". Measure the distance Center to center of pinbox bolt holes (about 2" I think). Raise your pinbox 2 bolt holes if there is room.

When you say there is no room to move your 5th wheel up or down..........There must be room either up or down. Normally there is a choice of 3 height positions on a Reese?
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Old 10-15-2013, 04:47 PM   #5
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Thank you for your reply. I may not have stated it clearly, there are no more bolt holes on the reese hitch . It is at its lowest height. Only option is raising the pin box.
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Old 10-16-2013, 05:16 AM   #6
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I would raise the pin box up as high as it will go and then raise the hitch until you end up with 6" of clearance.
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Old 10-16-2013, 08:48 AM   #7
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After reading your original post I may not be fully understanding what you're doing although I think I know what you want to do.

Try this...

Drop the air pressure in your air bags to 5 psi... Park the truck on level ground and measure from the ground to the top of the wheel well and write this measurement down.

Now back under the trailer and hook up as normal, raise the front jacks and then making sure you are on level ground again measure from the ground to the same place on the top of the wheel well.

Now add air as needed to bring the wheel well back to the original measurement, stop there....

Now measure the distance between the bed and the trailer, it should be at least 6" at the lowest point. Since you state that the hitch is already in its lowest position you will need to adjust the pin box.

Once you have the clearance between the bed and the trailer to 6" then and only then see how the trailer is sitting... nose high or low. At this point there is nothing left to do except flip axles or get a leveling kit for the trailer.

If your truck hasn't been raised you should be able to get this.
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Old 10-17-2013, 08:05 AM   #8
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Measure the length of the trailer from the kingpin to the center of the axles, and from the center of the axles to the rear bumper. The ratio of this (2 to 1 for example) is what will happen if/when you adjust the pinbox. In this example raise the pinbox 4 inches, to lower the front end 4 inches, and the rear end raises up 2 inches - your bed clearance goes from 12 inches to 8 inches, and the trailer is level.
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