|
|
09-21-2021, 01:51 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 712
|
Fifth wheel hitch height
I am the proud owner of a new 5er, and am using an Andersen hitch.
This hitch is somewhat adjustable in height, with three height positions about 1 1/2 apart. Right now the hitch is at the middle setting, and the nose of the trailer is a little high.
What are the pros and cons of running at the highest setting?
An advantage is that I might be able to keep my current saddle tool box in my truck, as the front of the trailer will clear it unless I get some pretty uneven ground.
A disadvantage is that my rear grey tank might have trouble draining toward the front of the trailer.
Any issues with towing with a nose-high attitude?
I am towing with a long-box crew cab F-350.
Thanks!
__________________
2018 F350 Limited, 2021 Arctic Fox 27-5L
300 Ah Battleborn LiFePo4, 3kw Victron Multiplus, 600W Solar, SeeLevel
|
|
|
|
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!
|
09-21-2021, 01:58 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,848
|
Nose high towing
*Can transfer more weight to trailer rear axle/tires
*Can cause chucking
*Can create too light of pin weight
*Can interfere with full draining of waste tanks (waste tanks are designed to gravity drain when trailer is level) MINOR issue
How much nose high is it??
How much bed rail clearance do you have?
How much bed rail clearance would you have it hitch was lower/trailer level?
Saddle tool box stick above bed rail??
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
|
|
|
09-21-2021, 07:06 PM
|
#3
|
Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
|
Nose high can put more weight on the pin. The front axle is carrying less weight, so the pin has to pick up some of the weight the extra weight.
Think of a see-saw.
To get the trailer level, you may have to have a 2" x 2" sub frame added to raise the trailer 2" at the axles.
It all depends on how nose high you are. Measure from the frame to the ground, front and rear to see how level it is.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
|
|
|
09-21-2021, 07:19 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,848
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TXiceman
Nose high can put more weight on the pin. The front axle is carrying less weight, so the pin has to pick up some of the weight the extra weight.
Think of a see-saw.
To get the trailer level, you may have to have a 2" x 2" sub frame added to raise the trailer 2" at the axles.
It all depends on how nose high you are. Measure from the frame to the ground, front and rear to see how level it is.
Ken
|
Nose high removes weight off pin.
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
|
|
|
09-22-2021, 07:43 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,009
|
Hi guys, Great topic and one Ive often thought about? How do you know the right trailer height and is there a way to know so you dont have to redo the hitch etc?
|
|
|
09-22-2021, 08:54 AM
|
#6
|
Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit
Nose high removes weight off pin.
|
I am not getting to a math and mechanics argument and waste everyone's time.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
|
|
|
09-22-2021, 08:56 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,848
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by WyoFree
Hi guys, Great topic and one I’ve often thought about? How do you know the right trailer height and is there a way to know so you don’t have to redo the hitch etc?
|
NO.....Unfortunately truck mfgs and 5th wheel mfgs do NOT coordinate truck bed rail height and 5vr overhang height
Our itch head height was adjustable up/down, pin box was adjustable up/down as most are
BUT...my leaf spring shackles on the 5th wheel had adjustment holes so total height of 5vr could be raised/lowered
I raised one hole and that made 5vr tow level with 6 1/2" bed rail clearance
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
|
|
|
09-22-2021, 09:08 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,527
|
I have a similar hitch (PullRite SuperLite) and it is currently at the highest setting. I had to raise my pinbox for my previous hitch. I plan to lower my pinbox and lower the hitch as well not does work but I think the lower setting will give it more stability.
__________________
2022 Winnie Forza 36H
|
|
|
09-22-2021, 12:43 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 712
|
My trailer is nose high by about 2 1/2 over 20 feet. That is approximate, as the grading in my storage area is not perfect.
I have about 8 clear over my bed rails. My old tool box sits up 7 1/2 over the bed rails, so I think I would be asking for trouble if I kept it. I have a long box on my truck, so most of the time I would not have a conflict. I think a low-profile Weatherguard is about 4 1/2 above the bed rails.
__________________
2018 F350 Limited, 2021 Arctic Fox 27-5L
300 Ah Battleborn LiFePo4, 3kw Victron Multiplus, 600W Solar, SeeLevel
|
|
|
09-22-2021, 02:32 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 712
|
I thought about that kind of box, but sitting on the bed it means I cannot haul plywood or other long things.
__________________
2018 F350 Limited, 2021 Arctic Fox 27-5L
300 Ah Battleborn LiFePo4, 3kw Victron Multiplus, 600W Solar, SeeLevel
|
|
|
09-22-2021, 02:51 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 572
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JHinman
My trailer is nose high by about 2 1/2 over 20 feet. That is approximate, as the grading in my storage area is not perfect.
I have about 8 clear over my bed rails. My old tool box sits up 7 1/2 over the bed rails, so I think I would be asking for trouble if I kept it. I have a long box on my truck, so most of the time I would not have a conflict. I think a low-profile Weatherguard is about 4 1/2 above the bed rails.
|
You might consider raising your pinbox one notch and see if that helps alleviate the nose-high issue. You definitely don't want to run nose-high.
I had to do that on mine and now I sit at roughly 6.25" clearance between the bedrail and the overhang.
I run the same type of toolbox as OB (no rear companion box). If I happen to need plywood, I'll either load it and leave the tailgate down, or I just lift the toolbox out.
__________________
2018 Ram 2500 Megacab Laramie (6.7 SO, 3.42, 68RFE)
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
2021 East to West Alta 2800KBH
|
|
|
09-22-2021, 02:54 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,527
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit
|
I want a box like the one nearest the tailgate, but I want to set it in the front and up off the floor on some legs. I could still close my tonneau and also slide some plywood or something underneath it.
|
|
|
09-22-2021, 08:25 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 305
|
hitch
Couple things come to mind. if you dont have enough clearance between bed rails and camper you run risk of bottoming out and damaging both rv and truck
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|