Hitch height

[Shasta Bob]

I have a 2018 GMC 3500 HD and a 2019 Cougar 315 fifth wheel how much height should I have between the truck bed and the overhang? I can raise the hitch in the bed one more hole higher.

[notanlines]

Opinions will probably vary between 5 and 8 inches. We have 7" and never any trouble.

[Shasta Bob]

I have about 4" of clearance is this safe?

[K_N_L]

I would be a bit nervous at 4 inches. A off camber turn might might bring contact. If you raise the hitch and its still close, the pin boxes have adjustments as well. Most are in the middle position at delivery.

[GHen]

I have 6” and I have come very close to touching on some uneven ground. I just keep watch closely. If I would have had 4” It would have caused some damage.

[Tbos]

My dealer set mine up for 6”. They were nervous at anything less.

[xrated]

Mine is running at a bit over 8" and the turn from the blacktop road onto the gravel road(which is downhill) leading to our house, causes that 8" of clearance to be reduced down to about 2". A 6" clearance would be too close for comfort for me.

[Big1]

I think mines is at 8".

[CaptnJohn]

I’m at 6”. My last 2 were at 5”. Never had a problem with either.

[Shasta Bob]

I raised the hitch in the 2018 GMC 3500 up to the last set of holes it looks better and tows fine. I do have holes on the kingpin hitch I could lower but for now I have about 6" Of clearance. thanks for the help.

[Big1]

Great, this is good to hear and you shouldn’t have no problem.

[avalanchehd]

About 7.5 inches on my 3500, but the short box truck is a bit more forgiving. And remember you should not use blocks that are taller the bed clearance just incase you bump it of the blocks when hitching.

[rlperry]

I have a 2018 RAM 3500 SRW and a Cougar 244 RLS. The 5th wheel cap sits higher than normal and I learned it is because the truck sit high and the Cougar has 15" tires.

[Big1]

I have a 2018 RAM 3500 SRW and a Cougar 244 RLS. The 5th wheel cap sits higher than normal and I learned it is because the truck sit high and the Cougar has 15" tires.


What kind of hitch you have?

[rlperry]

I currently have a B & W Companion Slider hitch specifically for the RAM puck system.

[Big1]

Oh, I started to buy that one when I bought my new 2018 because the one I had before (slider) I never use it, it is heavy so I was trying to save myself and not get that one, I guess I will see whether I did the right thing or not.

[7Iron]

Bob,

I wished I had 6 inches on my 315RLS and F350 with a companion hitch....the dealer swears that I am level and the 5er is where it should be. During our 8k mile trip earlier this year , the top of my F350 bed and the bottom of the 5er crashed into each other during a backing in maneuver with seriously uneven road, ditch, and site pad.

put a gouge in the truck and removed about 3 inches of the black molding on the drivers side of the 5er.