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Old 10-24-2020, 03:35 PM   #21
rhagfo
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Originally Posted by turbo View Post
HI all - appreciate your replies here! I just picked up a 2019 F350 SRW Diesel 4x4 and looking at swapping my old travel trailer for a 2019 Cougar 315RLS this weekend. I note that the height of the rear of the new truck (top of tailgate) is exactly 60" from the ground, which is 3-4 inches higher than my prior 2015 F150. How do 5th wheels accomodate the extra height of the larger tow vehicles? Will there still be about 6" clearance between the truck bed and the Cougar? Anyone have a similar combo that can share their experience? thanks in advance
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Well it is 60" unloaded, there will be some squat once you place the weight of the pin on it.
Sometimes it is better top be lucky that smart (I did measure both before) the height difference between our old 2001 Ram 2500 4X4 and the new to us 2016 Ram 3500 DRW was about 1". Now the sidewall was about 1" or so taller, well we got a picture frame adapter for our hitch to use the puck system and the result was no change necessary. The tailgate height on the 3500 is 58".

This is a comparison of the 2001 to the 2016, same 2005 Keystone Sprinter Copper Canyon.







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Old 02-21-2021, 08:18 AM   #22
Aron Julian
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Truck height

My truck height is 63 1/2 inches from ground to top of bed rails is this too high for a fifth wheel please help I can’t get a straight answer from anyone
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Old 02-21-2021, 08:34 AM   #23
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Hi Aron, welcome aboard! That's a difficult question to answer without more information. What truck do you have? Someone here will have the same truck and can advise. What 5er are you looking at? There will be a variable in the pin height depending on model and year.

People are pulling 5ers of all models with a wide range of truck makes, models, and years. Typically, you will want a stock truck, not lifted, and without oversized wheels/tires, in order to fit under a 5er.

Give us the details and you will get some help.
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Old 02-21-2021, 09:02 AM   #24
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Aron, youve got some lift to the truck, probably in excess of 5”. Lifted trucks dont take to fivers very well. Fill us in on the tv and rv specifics and we’ll go from there.
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Old 02-21-2021, 09:11 AM   #25
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Hi Aron and
First I would level the 5th wheel, take a measurement from the bottom of the over hang to the ground. You know the truck is 63 1/2" to the top of the rails, once you subtract the truck measurement from the 5er measurement your remainder should tell you what is left, I think 6" to 8" is good. Then I would hook up the trailer and get a visual once the pin weight is fully on the truck, this could drop the unladen measurement by a few inches.
Use a good reliable level to ensure the trailer is still level.

Your pin box should have some +/- room for adjustment if you're slightly off.
This if nothing else will let you know where you stand, as finding exact measurements from other rv'ers will be different from yours.

Good luck
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Old 02-21-2021, 10:13 AM   #26
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This is Aron my truck is a 2018 2500 Denali 4x4 it’s 63 1/2 inches from ground to top of bed rails is this too high for a fifth wheel I’m thinking about doing RV transportation for a living and can’t get any answers please help me
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Old 02-21-2021, 10:39 AM   #27
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This is Aron my truck is a 2018 2500 Denali 4x4 it’s 63 1/2 inches from ground to top of bed rails is this too high for a fifth wheel I’m thinking about doing RV transportation for a living and can’t get any answers please help me
First, with a 2500 (3/4 ton diesel) you're going to be critically limited when it comes to commercial towing of nearly any fifth wheel. As a "commercial operator" you will be required to enter every DOT inspection facility for weight/safety inspections. I'm guessing the first time you tow a fifth wheel longer than about 30' across the scales, you're going to be "shut down and told to call your dispatcher for instructions on whether to unhitch and come home or stay with the trailer until another driver arrives to pick up the trailer"....

I don't know of any fifth wheel commercial delivery driver that's towing fifth wheels with a 250/2500 diesel. Now, if you're considering delivery of "conventional travel trailers" (with a tongue hitch) that's a different story....
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Old 02-21-2021, 10:48 AM   #28
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I have a class A CDL so I’m not sure about that and I’ve seen plenty of 2500 and 250s pulling fifth wheels both private and commercial
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Old 02-21-2021, 12:22 PM   #29
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I have a class A CDL so I’m not sure about that and I’ve seen plenty of 2500 and 250s pulling fifth wheels both private and commercial
Because you've seen it doesn't make it safe or legal doing it commercially.
I've seen folks that don't have a clue hauling 5th wheels with 1/2 ton trucks, they're not anywhere near legal or safe doing so regardless of what drivers license they may have.
Most rv delivery/hotshot drivers are using 1 ton duallies & typically, probably legally required, have placards with the allowable weights posted on the truck.
A class A CDL WILL be mandatory, as will stopping at ALL weigh stations & commercial check points, some of which you could be camped out in til someone with a suitable tow vehicle arrives if you're overweight.
I agree you're going to be limited to hauling TTs rather than most any 5th wheel with a 3/4 ton truck.
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Old 02-21-2021, 12:26 PM   #30
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Been there also. If you buy a height adjustable fifth wheel hitch, take measurements and adjust the height accordingly. When I went from a F250 4WD to a F350 2WD I had to increase the Curt Q20 hitch height from the lowest to the highest. It is adjustable from 13" to 17".from the pickup bed to the top of its skid plate. Adjustment is attained by adjusting the mid-section up or down, in relation to the legs, in 2" increments. Typical clearance between the pickup bed rails and the trailer should be a minimum of 5 1/2". Many fifth wheel kingpin boxes are height adjustable, as well.
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Old 02-21-2021, 12:30 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by rhagfo View Post
Well it is 60" unloaded, there will be some squat once you place the weight of the pin on it.
Sometimes it is better top be lucky that smart (I did measure both before) the height difference between our old 2001 Ram 2500 4X4 and the new to us 2016 Ram 3500 DRW was about 1". Now the sidewall was about 1" or so taller, well we got a picture frame adapter for our hitch to use the puck system and the result was no change necessary. The tailgate height on the 3500 is 58".

This is a comparison of the 2001 to the 2016, same 2005 Keystone Sprinter Copper Canyon.







That is a nice looking rig combination with the dually and the bike rack
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Old 02-21-2021, 01:57 PM   #32
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Truck height

Okay besides the truck being a 2500 is it too high that’s the question never mind all the other stuff that is the question
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Old 02-21-2021, 02:06 PM   #33
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I couldn't help myself....y'all are being too kind.
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Old 02-21-2021, 02:44 PM   #34
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Okay besides the truck being a 2500 is it too high that’s the question never mind all the other stuff that is the question
Unless you've got a lift kit in the truck there should be enough adjustments between the rv king pin box & the hitch in the truck to be able to hitch up to those 5th wheels that are too much for your 2500 to carry.
As for being a universal fit with sufficient bed clearance for any 5th wheel you're trying to move commercially is anybody's guess. Personally wouldn't want to continually be adjusting pin boxes or my hitch for different RVs nor would I think about becoming a commercial delivery driver with a 3/4 truck.
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Old 02-21-2021, 03:01 PM   #35
Aron Julian
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Truck height

Okay thanks I’m done
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Old 02-21-2021, 03:58 PM   #36
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I think I can see why Aron can never get "straight" answers to fit what he wants to hear...... And I AM trying to be kind...
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Old 02-22-2021, 10:02 AM   #37
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Year

My rig is a 2014.
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Old 02-22-2021, 12:03 PM   #38
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Some info on the bike rack please...

Off topic I know...but never seen one like that for a 5er.
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Old 02-22-2021, 12:42 PM   #39
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My truck height is 63 1/2 inches from ground to top of bed rails is this too high for a fifth wheel please help I can’t get a straight answer from anyone
Yes.........
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Old 02-22-2021, 01:37 PM   #40
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Some info on the bike rack please...

Off topic I know...but never seen one like that for a 5er.
Is this the rack you're asking about?

Post 4 of the following link.
https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=39933
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