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Old 05-29-2024, 10:40 PM   #1
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Truck / 5th wheel level question

I plan on going from a Class A to a 5th wheel setup.

How do I approach a truck buy and a 5th wheel buy where I end up with a level setup?

I don't want to be rolling down the road nose high. I want both to be level without having to mickey mouse the trailer.

I see some rolling nose high and some rolling perfectly nice and level. I'm wanting a level set up, truck and trailer.

How do I avoid getting in a situation where I can't be level when I go out make a purchase? Is there a way to measure? Is it just a guess? Or just luck of the draw?

Jim58
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Old 05-29-2024, 11:39 PM   #2
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It is getting difficult to tow level with modern 4wd trucks due to the bed height. A little nose high won't hurt anything. If you are really wanting level over everything else, put a flat bed on the truck so you don't have to contend with the bed rail height on modern trucks.
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Old 05-30-2024, 05:56 AM   #3
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I don't think you would have an issue with the majority of stock trucks. And, The 5th wheel hitch in the truck and the trailer's 5th wheel pin box both have height adjustment. You do want to make sure you don't lower the hitch or the nose of the trailer so much that the trailer is too close to the top of the truck's bed rail.
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Old 05-30-2024, 06:08 AM   #4
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Not sure how common 2wd trucks are in TX, but they will be a bit lower. A DRW truck often times is lower than a SRW.

If you measure the truck/trailer before purchase, you can figure out the fit. Keep in mind, the truck will squat a couple of inches, due to pin weight.

Some hitches, and pinboxes, are more adjustable too, but you'll want to keep a 6" bed rail clearance in mind.
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Old 05-30-2024, 09:39 AM   #5
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Stay away from so called 1/2 ton towable 5th wheels. They tend to be on the lower side in the front overhang.

The easiest thing to do is pick out your truck, measure the bedrail then go look at 5th wheels you like and then measure the front overhang with the 5th wheel level. Given that the truck will probably sag 2" in the rear look for a 4"+ difference from the overhang to the bed rails. That will give you 6" of clearance.
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Old 05-30-2024, 11:55 AM   #6
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Buy the exact truck you want/like. Buy the exact 5th wheel you want/like. Then adjust as you will not be able to understand what the needs are until you have them. There are ways to adjust from the hitch, to the pin box, to others (ie rails under the RV for the axles, etc...). There are always solutions out there. Just get what you will be happy with.

Good luck and have fun!

//KMac
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Old 06-02-2024, 12:50 AM   #7
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Well before I can answer your question I need the answer to a couple.
How large. 5th wheel are you looking at.
How much clearance do you think you will need between bed rails and bottom of 5th wheel.

The larger the 5th wheel the higher the bottom of the overhang. I run just under 6” or rail to bottom of 5th wheel.
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