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5th wheel clearance-
Old 09-22-2008, 04:49 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: West Coast
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Question 5th wheel clearance-
Getting frustrated here..
Some background, the springs on the RV come from the factory on top of the axles already. I am running 295/70 tires but have the rear OEM blocks removed so bed height is the same as 265 tires and oem blocks.

Here is what I have done..
Stock setting- leaf springs in the 1st shackle hole, hitch pin in the middle position
I had 5.5" bed clearance and some light rubbing/interference with the top of the bed. The RV sets lower in the back. First step up is 10.5" with the others at 9" so pretty comfortable.

Moved leaf springs to the 2nd shackle notch, added air bags to the truck
This helped level the trailer attitude and raised the step entry 1.5".
If I left the bags at 5psi it towed pretty level but much more stable at 30 psi which puts the trailer down in the back again and also caused even more interference with the bed top which I attributed to the air bags during articulation.

Moved the hitch pin down 2"
This caused an even more un-level attitude placing added weight on the rear axle, which I don't like especially with a motorcycle rack on the back + any air in the bags and it really is slanted.
With that 2" I gained 1" more clearance at the tailgate and 2.5" at the camper cap so 6.5" & 8" vs the original 5.5"
Bed rail interference was gone but the trailer sets wrong and I don't like the extra height of the step.

Went full circle, moved it all back to stock, made sure to air down bags when articulating
I was hoping for minor smudges but the bed top is dinged in a few spots , not deep but enough to be disappointed with it all.

Ideas-
* Flat bed.. added expense and they look out of place to me.
* Cut my bed down..seen it done nicely but lots of work to make it look right along with added expense.

With a 2wd GM I bet this would be a non issue but I would rather have a dented 4x4 Dodge []
Maneuvering around hilly areas is where I get into trouble.
Right now the small dings are livable but I don't want more or a deeper one or worse yet damage to the RV.

Lowering the hitch pin 2" again AND installing lift blocks between the axle & spring would get it level but that first step would be high + dunno how safe blocks would be with heavy braking at 14000 lbs.

Any ideas out there??
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