Silverado Towing Prep

[Blk_Adventurer]

Hello I am in need of some advice, I have a 2013 Big Sky 3800RE on order, now I am trying to get the tow vehicle ready for the big hookup.

I have a 2012 3500 hd silverado short bed as the tow vehicle and I am looking at the Pullrite Superglide Hitch . I am concern about the clearance of the trailer in reference to the truck and was thinking of including the 3 inch lift adapter for the Pullrite hitch. My question is , is this lift adapter necessary?

In additional I see that a lot of you have have some form of air bag arrangement on your truck, is this something I should be considering for the truck also? If so what brand would you recommend for this truck?

I appreciate any and all guidance or advice given.

if someone have a good place price wise for installation of this equipment in the Midatlantic region, your recommendation would be apprecitated.

[Countryfolks]

Personally , I wouldn't get either one [airbags/adapter] until I found I needed them. The goal is to have the RV and TV level when towing. Air bags are basically just a set of springs that are adjustable. I would rather spend the money on a air bag type pinbox, or hitch if someone made a slider.

[jjackflash]

I have a 2007 3500 HD Dually and tow a 3400RL.
When I lower the weight of the trailer on the truck I have never seen the truck drop even a hair.
IMO I don't think you would need airbags .
Jack

[twindman]

I think a 3500 should have no problems with the weight.
As for the adapter, I just bought a 2012 Silverado. I have the Pullrite hitch too. The bed was 1 or 1 1/2 inch deeper than my 2004 Silverado, leaving only about 3-4 inches of clearance. I opted for the adapter and have no problem with the clearance. However, the Monty sits slightly up hill now. Not much you can do unless you flip the springs and raise up the trailer.

[ols1932]

Yes, it's true that not everyone needs airbags. But there are those of us that do. In order to set my truck level, I need the airbags. They do work!

Orv

[RKassl]

I have a 2011 3500 CC SRW standard box. We took the Superglide out of my 2004. You need to respect the new higher side walls in the bed of the new truck, I am almost sure that if you don't raise the hitch with the adapter you stand a good chance hitting the truck with the back of the hitch box.

And yes my Monty rides a tad nose high but nothing to worry about, most people will not even notice it. I have a year towing this way and a couple of months ago my suspension shop repacked and checked the bearings, absolutely no abnormal wear anyplace including the rear.

Hope this helps.

[bear]

Yes you will the need the adapter, I have a 2005 GMC and put a BOOBOO in the rail, So get it , make sure you buy locks for the rails,you will need 4 got mine at HF don`t ask why (Bad people out there!!)

[Art-n-Marge]

Whatever you do, the magic number for fifth wheel to bed clearance is 6". If you are less, then be careful with dips, driveways and the like.

I have a nose high Monty (ever so slightly and apparently it's better than a nose low Monty). However I also have a nose low TV because of air bags. I am still tinkering with what's best but I kinda like the way things are. My fiver/bed clearance is over 7".

[RKassl]

By the way on my 2011 3500, when I lower the Monty down, the overload spring pack engages as it is supposed to and in doing so the truck does settle somewhat. If it didn't the overload spring pack would not be of any use.

[mhs4771]

Agreed about the overload/helper springs. With Trailer on it just settles enough to make contact with the helpers and actually makes the truck sit level (without any weight the rear of the box is higher than the front. I had approx 8 inch clearance on our 05 3500, and it's approx 6 on the 2011, but this is on a dually long bed with a Reese. The actual bed height was the same between the 05 and the 11, only difference was the height of the rails on the 11, but the Monty still rode level and we never had any prolems except if you get into the near 90 degree angle and the rear corner of the pin box can hit the inside of the box. Several on the Forum have cut the back corner of the pin box to give the little extra clearance, but only after the year Warrantee was up.

[Earthcreeper]

Be sure to check out Pullrites new line of Super Glides that use ISR (industry standard rails). They sit higher but do have 2 sets of feet that are 1.5" different in height. I got the Super Glide #2900. It is an 18k and costs substantially less than their traditional offering. I also got the custom kit for my Chevy which bolts to the frame without drilling any holes. we use the shorter/lower feet on the SUPER GLIDE and are nearly perfectly level using the Morryde king pin and capture plate. While my truck is a 2500 I do not need the air bags for our 3100 RL.

[Earthcreeper]

quote:Originally posted by mhs4771 I changed the pin box to the short version to avoid the side rail and pin box collision. It drew the MO closer to the bumper of the truck by 6 inches but plenty of clearance. Apparently there have been many siderail contacts with the pinbox. The shorter pinbox eliminates that.


Agreed about the overload/helper springs. With Trailer on it just settles enough to make contact with the helpers and actually makes the truck sit level (without any weight the rear of the box is higher than the front. I had approx 8 inch clearance on our 05 3500, and it's approx 6 on the 2011, but this is on a dually long bed with a Reese. The actual bed height was the same between the 05 and the 11, only difference was the height of the rails on the 11, but the Monty still rode level and we never had any prolems except if you get into the near 90 degree angle and the rear corner of the pin box can hit the inside of the box. Several on the Forum have cut the back corner of the pin box to give the little extra clearance, but only after the year Warrantee was up.