 |
07-10-2024, 01:16 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 102
|
Bumper to 5th wheel clearance
So this probably won't be an "ideal" thread, but hoping I can get away with it. Running a GM 3500 dually. Literally taking the 5th 5 miles. I did not pull the camper yet, I simply backed into it and sat it down for testing.
When truck/trailer are straight, I have clearance but certainly cannot drop the tailgate. I came back under trailer at various angles to test and at about a 45*, which should be worst case for bumper/trailer contact, I had about 8" clearance..
I don't really like it and trying to think about scenarios that could close that gap like going over a small hill.
Any thoughts? All other clearances are fine.
|
|
|
 |
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
07-10-2024, 02:23 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 870
|
I feel confident going over a hill will not make 8" of difference where you are talking about with bumper to fw contact. How far forward of the axle is the hitch mounted that you cannot open the tailgate?
__________________
2021 Ram 3500 HO DRW Megacab 4wd 3.73
2022 Riverstone 42FSKG | GenY Executive 6.5k
Airlift 7500XL Airbags w Wireless One Compressor
|
|
|
07-10-2024, 04:47 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 786
|
If you cannot drop the tailgate, when backed straight to FW, it tells me that you are improvising, with however you are connecting. OTOH, if bumper clears by 8"s, when at 45 degrees, it should not be a problem. Certainly, under the right circumstance, a problem could develop, but an experienced tow person recognizes problems, before they happen.
|
|
|
07-10-2024, 08:54 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,579
|
Our 1st 5th wheel the front of the trailer was like 8” maybe a foot when backed in square! Never hit the bumper.
Before you would close that 8” you would hit the rails with the 5 th wheel.
__________________
Russ & Paula, Portland, OR. The Beagle Gus.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW Aisin 4X4 14,000# GVWR.
2005 Keystone Copper Canyon 293FWSLS Rear Kitchen 12,360 GVWR
|
|
|
07-10-2024, 09:35 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 102
|
Hitch in bed is 2" front of axle CL. Actually is a replacement bed I bought with the exact same hitch, and the exact same spot.
Just measured things with the tape measure. If I back the truck to the 5th with the gate down, if I go ahead and just smack the 5th with the tailgate, we good! The measurement is 73" needed and I have 74".. I do everything in life by myself now so help is not an option.
Obviously I just get out and close the damn gate, not the end of the world since I rarely use the thing.
Other math I show is straight on, bumper to 5th clearance should be 17" and reduces to 8" at 45*.
This truck has been a problem ONLY for 5th wheels from day one. I watched a Dodge hook right up to the same trailer. Their wheelbase is obviously longer or relation of axle to rear of bed is different. I was annoyed.
|
|
|
07-11-2024, 09:51 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Oswego IL
Posts: 2,488
|
Put an automatic slider hitch in the bed you will never worry about clearance anymore regardless of long bed or short bed for the box.
I have towed with both Chevy short bed truck and a Dodge Short bed Mega Cab truck. But I have always used a slider hitch so, i never had any clearance issue when towing my 5er's. When I purchased my last 5er a Cedar Creek I needed a new hitch so, I opted for an auto slider hitch. The trailer will move away from the truck as you turn or back in never any clearance issues with an auto slider hitch.
just my opinion.
__________________
Jim & Jill
Sold: 2010 318SAB Cougar:New: 2016 Cedar Creek 34RL. 2008 Dodge 6.7LCummins the original 6.7L engine, w/68RFE Auto
|
|
|
07-11-2024, 10:15 AM
|
#7
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Panama City Beach, FL
Posts: 27
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimcumminsw
Put an automatic slider hitch in the bed you will never worry about clearance anymore regardless of long bed or short bed for the box.
I have towed with both Chevy short bed truck and a Dodge Short bed Mega Cab truck. But I have always used a slider hitch so, i never had any clearance issue when towing my 5er's. When I purchased my last 5er a Cedar Creek I needed a new hitch so, I opted for an auto slider hitch. The trailer will move away from the truck as you turn or back in never any clearance issues with an auto slider hitch.
just my opinion.
|
^
^
Agreed - Get a Demco 18K Autoslider.
__________________
2020 Cougar 27SGS;
2019 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 6.4L 4x4 Bighorn;
Demco 18k Autoslide
|
|
|
07-11-2024, 10:46 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Bushnell, Fl.
Posts: 1,394
|
You don't say what Hitch you are using, whether pucks or gooseneck, but here is some information from the B&W website about their Companion 5th Wheel Hitch:
https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/sit...027%202024.pdf
On page 3 of 5 shows all the adjustments that are available.
By the way, my B&W turnover ball is installed about 5 " in front of the axle.
This is where it is designed (by B&W) to be installed.
Also, there is a possibility that you have a shorter Pin Box. MorRyde makes 5 different length Pin Boxes. Look at Page 1:
https://www.morryde.com/wp-content/u...n-Guide_v2.pdf
Hope that this might give you some options.
Tim
__________________
2015 Silverado 3500HD CC DRW Duramax
2006 Hitchhiker Champagne
|
|
|
07-14-2024, 01:08 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,078
|
What a pain not being able to open and close the tailgate with the trailer hooked up. I need to have my tailgate down to hook and unhook. I also use the room I have to access the front compartment when hooked up. Popup Hitch makes a hitch extender that will give you an extra 10" on your pin box.
The newer GM trucks, after 2020 I believe, set up their puck system to that the trailer's pin would be a few inches behind the axle centerline.
__________________
2004.5 Ram 3500 2WD DRW
2008 Carriage, tows at 10k#
|
|
|
 |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|