Buying new truck questions?

[HAUL-A-FIFTH]

I am thinking of buying a 2009 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4, my question is will I have to raise my 5th wheel camper. The camper is a 35 foot Carriage Cameo. We are currently towing the camper with a 2005 GMC Sierra DRW 4x4 with no modifications to the height of either the camper or truck. I cannot check the trailer with the truck due to the fact that the camper is at my sons house which is 600 miles away.

Any help would be appreciated. I really due not want to raise the trailer because it has Moore ride, and the dealer tells me it cannot be done.

[Shaun and Amy]

Not sure if this will help you, but my Dad has a 2008 Ford 4x4 F-350 and just bought a 2008 Carriage Domani and the two fit together very well. He did not have to modify anything. I know this isn't the same comparison, but thought it could might help you to know that a new, taller truck, was working fine.

Good luck!

[jrcnlc]

Mine has holes for raizing up look under neath at springs see if ther is holes by hanger.One hole raize 2 in.

[CD]

Can you compare the heigth (from the ground to the PU box sides) of the GMC and the Dodge?

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

I had a 97 patio hauler and 03 dodge. I had to raise the 5th wheel to have it tow level with adequate clearance above the bedrails.

Now I have an 06 Dually, and 01 patio hauler. It tows level stock, fine.

I think it was around 01-03 that the big 3 started making trucks with higher bedrails, and 5th wheel makers seem to have compensated at about the same time.


Anyway, maybe your son could measure from the ground to the bottom of the overhang on your 5th wheel with the 5er level and on flat ground. Then you could compare that to what the pickup measures. Pin weight is likely to settle the picup a couple inches lower than it's unloaded weight.

[450Donn]

If I remember correctly when I was shopping to replace my 2500HD General junk I took a tape measure and the 4X4 Dodge was a good six inches higher in the rear than the Chevy./ That was one of my motives for going with a 4X2 this time around. That and the fact that a dually is terrible in bad weather where you would normally need/want a 4X4. so why spend the extra dollars for a once in a life time use?

[gearman]

Chevys are short, dodge and Ford are Tall. I bet you will need to adjust for the new taller truck, or sacrifice bed rail clearance and risk trailer and bed kissing.

[K-Star]

when I replaced my `02 GMC 3500 the Ford sat about 3 inches higher. My 5th wheel hitch has adjustment holes where I could raise or lower the hitch height. I lowered the hitch height to where the combo sat level. I still had my 6" clearance.

So I think you will probably be able to make other adjustments to compensate for the higher truck.

[WindRVer]

Another dodge owner here. I have the 4x4 and raising the trailer was a must. Took the RV Dealer about 40 minutes to lift the camper to the right height. I just went ahead and had them raise the new camper I'm buying without even bothering to do a match up. The bed of the Dodge is just too high. RWD only dodges are much lower.

Good Luck