Carbon 357 Cap length

[mxdad559]

Just purchased my first 5th wheel, it is a 2015 Carbon 357 model. The wife and I fell in love with the layout and everything about this unit. I am still waiting for PDI and am scheduled to pick the trailer up this Saturday the 27th. Last week I wanted to do a test fit with my tow vehicle as I have a lifted F250 Crew cab short bed. I backed the truck under the unit and lined the pin up with the center hole for the goose neck attachment. I seemed to me that the cap of the unit sticks out much farther than other brands. I started looking around online and at friends rigs and it seem like the point of this cap is a good 12-15" past the king pin. That got me thinking and talking with my local truck shop about options. I looked at goose neck conversions, offset balls etc... I read that converting is a bad idea and will void warranty so I decided to go with the B&W slider companion as I just installed the turnover ball mount. My question is (weights and everything else aside) does anyone have experience towing the raptor or carbon with this extended front cap with a short bed truck? The slider was a given for backing, but will I have clearance problems for normal forward towing? I called Keystone and tried to ask if there were any known problems towing with a short bed or if this trailer was a long bed only trail and all I got was, "we cannot provide any information regarding a tow vehicle". Thanks keystone. My slider hitch comes in tomorrow, and I will do a hook up test at the dealership for the final word, but just throwing it out there to the experts. If this unit doesn't cut it I will be forced to go with the cyclone 310 which we didn't like as much, but it was shorter and lighter with a smaller front cap. Thanks in advance for any input. See pic for reference.

-JW

[Festus2]

While we don't have that particular RV model, we do tow with a short bed truck. The hitch can be manually moved back allowing more room to maneuver and swing but we have not had to use it in 5 years of towing with our Cougar 5th wheel. It does have the "rounded and recessed" corners which does allow for some extra tolerance and distance between the cab rear window and the corner of the Cougar.

I don't know how much of a recessed front you have on the Carbon but I would think that with the slider, you would be ok. As far as towing forward, you should be fine there - it's just the tight turns you need to be concerned about - going in both directions.

Is it possible for you to make a deal that hinges on you being able to maneuver your Carbon with enough clearance before you sign the papers or are you past that point?

[mxdad559]

Thanks for the reply. I won't be taking the trailer off the lot until I am 100% sure I can tow it without having clearance issues. We haven't signed anything yet, just gave deposit to start prepping the trailer.

[gearhead]

Maybe this with a regular 5th hitch if they will take the slider back.
http://www.reeseprod.com/products/pi...W5HrcuGlg!ABL9

[Major105bc]

I pulled my carbon 357 home on 13 December. I had no problems with the front cap. That includes maneuvering in and around gas stations.

[Major105bc]

I do have a slider hitch. I thought I might have to use it to get in my driveway. But I made it without having to use it.

[mxdad559]

@Major, and assuming you TV is a short bed? That makes me feel more comfortable, I think I am worrying for no reason, I just don't want any issues. Do you have any pics with your rig hooked up?

[Major105bc]

mxdad,

TV is 6.5 ft bed. I don't have any good pictures yet. This is the best I got so far.

[notanlines]

I don't normally bring this up, but are you a little close on your weight limits and towing ability with your 250? Be careful with that setup.

[mxdad559]

Ok, got the Companion Slider installed and did a test hookup at the dealership. full hookup weight off the jacks. I feel much better about the clearance now that this hitch is in. I do need to drop it 1" and that will still give me 7" between the bed and the overhang. Truck sag was 1" with the weight on.

[CarbonFun]

I have a Carbon 327 and had a 2010 F250 Short bed with airbags and a pulrite Superglide hitch. I did not have any problems with clearance going forward or back. The day I picked it up I went to a large empty parking lot to test the turning radius. I was able to get it to 90° with about 2 inches of clearence with the sliding hitch.
However, because I was close to or exceeding some weight ratings in the F250 I traded in for a 2015 F350 DRW longbed. The comfort and security are so much more appealing in the new truck.
I would suggest you consider ALL your weight ratings especially since your truck is lifted. As you know, a lifted truck puts additional stress on the suspension and drivetrain.

[Bman916]

mxdad559, looks like you and I bought the 357 from the guys in Rocklin. I sent you a PM with my number, I also have been up late all week stressing about my 2500 pulling this thing. When I called Keystone they told me the listed hitch weight was @ 16,500 so dry it should be less?

[bpyle311]

Well Gents I understand your dilemma's, I too have a short bed F250 but like Carbon Fun I installed the Pullrite superglide hitch (18k) and firestone airbags on my F250 and have had no issues to date. I have pulled from So. Cal- Wyoming with absolutely no problem. With that said, my truck is not lifted and is stock other than the airbags and I do not tow any true "toys" other than mountain bikes and kids toys.

One other thing I would like to pass along is please do yourself a favor and inspect your roof thoroughly!! While in Wyoming last year on our maiden voyage my roof completely delaminated due to the rubber "Dycor" sealant being defective. Check your roof's sealant and reinsure that it is plyable like gum, not hard. This has been an issue for a few Keystone owners and I would hate for you to have to go through what I have in the past 6 mos. on an expensive investment like this.

[Bman916]

Originally Posted by bpyle311

Well Gents I understand your dilemma's, I too have a short bed F250 but like Carbon Fun I installed the Pullrite superglide hitch (18k) and firestone airbags on my F250 and have had no issues to date. I have pulled from So. Cal- Wyoming with absolutely no problem. With that said, my truck is not lifted and is stock other than the airbags and I do not tow any true "toys" other than mountain bikes and kids toys.

One other thing I would like to pass along is please do yourself a favor and inspect your roof thoroughly!! While in Wyoming last year on our maiden voyage my roof completely delaminated due to the rubber "Dycor" sealant being defective. Check your roof's sealant and reinsure that it is plyable like gum, not hard. This has been an issue for a few Keystone owners and I would hate for you to have to go through what I have in the past 6 mos. on an expensive investment like this.

I also have a 2014 ram 2500 6.7L with the 18k superglide and firestone air bags. Pulling the Carbon 357 with no issues

[Major105bc]

Originally Posted by notanlines

I don't normally bring this up, but are you a little close on your weight limits and towing ability with your 250? Be careful with that setup.

Right. I ended up trading to a Chevy 3500hd drw. Pulled to FL this past weekend and it pulled & stopped like a dream. I also put Firestone air bags on the 3500.

[CarbonFun]

It's amazing how much more comfortable it is to tow with the 1 ton dully. My F350 DRW gave my wife and I a very pleasurable and secure feeling while towing over 8000 miles last year. With new new trailers getting longer, bigger and heavier, the need for bigger tow vehicles is a must.

[Major105bc]

True statement. My dually is a 2008 bought in early January 2015. Much to my surprise, they had trouble with the integrated trailer brake controller. So did I. I replaced the rear plug harness, but it didn't solve the problem. I relented and took it to the Chevy dealer. It was the brake light switch. In and out for under $400. Pulled and stops like a dream now.

[firekat96]

Are air bags a must?? We pick up our new 357 this Thursday and yall have gotten me a little worried. My TV is a 2006 Dodge 3500 4x4 mega cab SRW.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by firekat96

Are air bags a must?? We pick up our new 357 this Thursday and yall have gotten me a little worried. My TV is a 2006 Dodge 3500 4x4 mega cab SRW.

What is the GVWR, the payload and the weight (when loaded with passengers, fuel and gear, ready for camping) of your 2006 Dodge 3500 4x4 mega cab SRW ?

[firekat96]

I have never put the truck on the scale so I couldn't even tell you .