How much

[southern thunder]

distance should I have between the top of my tailgate and the bottom of of my 5ver. I have just pulled it home so far and no problems. But I can see where not having enough cleaance could cause problems on uneven ground.

[GA Mountaineer]

Most people recommend a minimum of 6". And if you are that close you have to watch any maneuver that puts the rear of the truck up in relation to the trailer. Including unhooking, I put a long crease in our 1st 5’ver because I forgot about the truck springs unloading.

[HOOK]

Seven inches is a good number. Try to have truck and trailer level when hitched to give equal distance at all points.

[southern thunder]

Thanks. I will measure on my next trip to the RV.

[1retired06]

I try to adjust hitch and kingpin so I have the maximum separation I can get while at the same time being as level as possible when hooked up. Six inches of clearance should cover almost all situations.

[Art-n-Marge]

I've seen a documented number for trailer to bed rail/taligate clearance is 6" in many RV places or web sites. I have over 7" so I feel very comfortable. If I dropped the pin any lower, I believe I'd be under 6" and I'd rather be over than under.

The biggest problems will only occur with uneven ground - mounds, dips, turning. Hopefully, your first trip didn't have so many. If you are ever around these situations hopefully you are moving slowly anyway which prevents additional severe movement from sway. I was real close to contact twice and I was glad I had that extra inch to play with. The first time was a campsite that I backed into and had to drop into it while on the higher road. I also had to leave the same way, too, whew! The second time I was making a right turn into a gas station and the dip into the driveway was quite severe. When leaving the station I was making a left turn and it was not as bad but still quite a dip.