Standard Hitch Distance on Montana/F350

[Wicked1]

Ok so I have a stock 2016 F350 PSD 4X4 with factory pucks and I am using an Andersen Ultimate Hitch. I just bought a Montana 3121RL and everything works fine and it seems to tow level but Camping World told me I have too much distance between top of bed rails and bottom of Montana. I currently have 9” in between but trailer rides just about level.

They say they can’t move the factory pin box up or it voids warranty, so I am wondering if I am ok, or should I upgrade to the shorter Andersen hitch which will allow me to drop down to 6-8”’s or go for a Curt hitch that fits the Ford pucks.

I have tested the temp on all four tires after towing and they are all the same, but CW told me I will blow the tires in the rear if I don’t get my distance to either 6 or 8”

Anyone really know what I use as a guideline? I am not new to this just first time I bought new and first Montana

Thanks for the info in advance

[mlh]

An inch is going to make a difference, oh come on. Tell them to use just a little common sense.
Lynwood

[BB_TX]

I am a little surprised you have 9” bed rail clearance and the trailer is not nose high, especially on an F350 4x4. But if it is level, or very nearly so, then you are good. Level is the important thing, not clearance unless you have too little. If a trailer is too much nose high then the rear axle would carry more than its share of the weight. But i don’t know that anyone really knows exactly how much nose high is too much nose high. You could weigh the rear axles separately and see just how much difference you have.

[sapest]

With all your gear on board go weight each trailer axle at a public scale.

How close is the weight each axle is supporting?
If more than 10/15% difference, maybe you are nose high.
Check your numbers against the axle and tire capacities while you are at it.

-Steve

[bshgto]

but CW told me I will blow the tires in the rear if I don’t get my distance to either 6 or 8” ?????????????????????????????

They say they can’t move the factory pin box up or it voids warranty??????????????????????????

I`d make a couple of calls. To some one other than CW.

[Slufoot733]

Well here's how I see it. IF the Monty is level then nothing else matters. What if you had a flat bed with a fifth wheel hitch? The gap between the bed rails and the trailer bottom is only critical IF it's too close. Then I would worry. Keep the Monty as level as possible, you're good.

[mhs4771]

Sure sounds like CW is trying to scare you into buying a hitch they sell!

[Wicked1]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Sure sounds like CW is trying to scare you into buying a hitch they sell!

I think they are bc they told me the Curt, B&W, or Reese is like $2,000.00 not installed and I see them all over for $700-$800.

I tow just about level, not sure anyone toes perfectly level also we have Hydraulic Auto Leveling if I go 1-2”’s lower I might bottom out the feet on some roads.

I love my Andersen hitch, and after 300 miles yesterday I tested the temps on each Tire and they were all the same if the rear axle was taking more load the rear tires and brakes would be hotter.

I am going to finish setting up the rig and then take it to a weigh station and cat scale to see where I am at.

[Jamesb]

If I could do over with what I know now, I would have bought a hitch that was adjustable. I was shocked to see how high our new truck was, and how little room there was between the bed, maybe 5 inches. When we picked up our new fiver, the dealership automatically adjusted the pin box. Now we have 6 1/2, and tows almost level. But I had to have the clearance for the road we live on. The adjustable hitch would have made life better. I miss our B&W companion.

[CaptnJohn]

Everyone seems to like 6" of clearance. A 4' level mid-coach close means you should be good. At the lowest setting of 17" on a B&W my 2016 F350/ 2017 Montana is near perfectly level with 5 1/2" between rails and 5er. 5" or 15", nearly level is the requirement. At 9" I'm surprised you are not nose high.

[AlphaFez]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Everyone seems to like 6" of clearance. A 4' level mid-coach close means you should be good. At the lowest setting of 17" on a B&W my 2016 F350/ 2017 Montana is near perfectly level with 5 1/2" between rails and 5er. 5" or 15", nearly level is the requirement. At 9" I'm surprised you are not nose high.

CaptnJohn, I'm in process to order a B&W #RFK3300, Companion OEM (Ford Prep - 5er puck system). My 2018 F350 Crew Cab Short Box (6'-9"), I hearing that it will work with the new Montana rounded and angled front caps.
My question is do you have a Short Box?

[gkonney]

We have a Factory Puck style B&W Companion Slider on our 2017 F250 and love it. Although it is a very heavy hitch as it is 2 piece with the Head weighing in at around 100# and the Base around 200#. It is easily removable with a Buddy. I installed it and just guessed at the middle mounting holes when I put it together and it is level. The Camper is about 6" above the rails.
I'm sure the entire Rig is probably too heavy for a F250 and I am concerned about stopping quickly - if we keep it we will install IS and Disc Brakes. I added Air Bags to stop the occasional "giddy-up" when going through a dips in the road ad it tracks and pulls like a Trooper. Run those at 30PSI under load.
Very nice first Rig and if you are interested you can see it hooked up if you click on our Blog Site.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by gkonney

We have a Factory Puck style B&W Companion Slider on our 2017 F250 and love it. Although it is a very heavy hitch as it is 2 piece with the Head weighing in at around 100# and the Base around 200#. It is easily removable with a Buddy. I installed it and just guessed at the middle mounting holes when I put it together and it is level. The Camper is about 6" above the rails.
I'm sure the entire Rig is probably too heavy for a F250 and I am concerned about stopping quickly - if we keep it we will install IS and Disc Brakes. I added Air Bags to stop the occasional "giddy-up" when going through a dips in the road ad it tracks and pulls like a Trooper. Run those at 30PSI under load.
Very nice first Rig and if you are interested you can see it hooked up if you click on our Blog Site.

2 pieces but total weight is less than 300. The base is 168 and coupler 52#. $779 delivered from eTrailer.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by gkonney

We have a Factory Puck style B&W Companion Slider on our 2017 F250 and love it. Although it is a very heavy hitch as it is 2 piece with the Head weighing in at around 100# and the Base around 200#. It is easily removable with a Buddy. I installed it and just guessed at the middle mounting holes when I put it together and it is level. The Camper is about 6" above the rails.
I'm sure the entire Rig is probably too heavy for a F250 and I am concerned about stopping quickly - if we keep it we will install IS and Disc Brakes. I added Air Bags to stop the occasional "giddy-up" when going through a dips in the road ad it tracks and pulls like a Trooper. Run those at 30PSI under load.
Very nice first Rig and if you are interested you can see it hooked up if you click on our Blog Site.

Your F250 6.7 should handle the same as my F350. The only number you may miss is payload which is the only reason I traded my 2016 F250. Payload was nearly 1000# short. I see no difference in stopping distance.

[Wicked1]

Going to the scales next weekend to see how much is on each axle but I am under pin weight and towing capacity, took a photo tonight and I am about 1/2” shy of being level with 9” of clearance from top of bed rail to bottom of Montana Cap

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by AlphaFez

CaptnJohn, I'm in process to order a B&W #RFK3300, Companion OEM (Ford Prep - 5er puck system). My 2018 F350 Crew Cab Short Box (6'-9"), I hearing that it will work with the new Montana rounded and angled front caps.
My question is do you have a Short Box?

I have the short bed. A tight back up and it will hit. I scratched a decal so sure of it with my original hitch. I had the rails so installed theB&W Patriot slider. Still a slider but the best and easiest to use.

[rmthelen]

The criteria is that you are towing level, the 9" between the trailer and box is secondary and is a variable and is to be adjusted to the dimension that supports level towing. If the trailer is level the weight distribution on the axles is equalized. I haven't had much faith in CW for some time, after reading what you have been told, I now have close to zero confidence in them.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by rmthelen

The criteria is that you are towing level, the 9" between the trailer and box is secondary and is a variable and is to be adjusted to the dimension that supports level towing. If the trailer is level the weight distribution on the axles is equalized. I haven't had much faith in CW for some time, after reading what you have been told, I now have close to zero confidence in them.

Every CW is different. I have been using CW Myrtle Beach for years and don't trust anyone else. Sadly, they are very busy as they sell a lot of units, sold the most in the US again in 2017.

[gkonney]

Forgot to mention our F250 is a Short Bed and we can go 90 degrees without hitting the Cab. Slider has been nice extra space in a couple of tight spots

[BuilderBob]

That doesn't look noise high to me at all mine sits just like that and i have never had any problems at all I think CW is selling you a bill of goods!

Bob & Carol
Washington St
2017 352RL 2008 Dodge 3500 DRW CC LB 4x4 6.7L