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04-10-2014, 03:49 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
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Hitch Too High?
While hooked up and towing I have about 10" between my bed rails and the front cap of the Montana. I am a little raised in the front of the Montana. I think I remember hearing or reading someplace where you should have 6" - 8" space. What is the general thinking on this?
__________________
Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
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04-10-2014, 03:54 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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The frame of your rig should be parallel with the road. If you have to adjust the hitch to accomplish that, that is the way to go. The spacing is truck specific, the levelness of the rig should be the deciding factor. As a side note, we have had about 7-8" clearance from the bed rails on all three rigs when they are level.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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04-10-2014, 04:11 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,361
M.O.C. #6433
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Is your hitch adjustable vertically? Mine is not. I have about 6-7" clearance, just about right. And I am still a little nose high, but not so much as to be a problem.
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Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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04-10-2014, 04:40 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 3,038
M.O.C. #5651
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I had a 2004 Silverado. About 5-6 inches of clearance. Got a 2012 Silverado. The bed rail was about 1 1/2 inches higher and the bed itself was 1 inch higher. I did have a height adjustment (multiple bolt holes), but couldn't figure out how to get a wrench inside to loosen them. So I raised the hitch itself 4 inches. So now the clearance is about 7-8 inches and trailer sits 5 inches higher. It is not quite level, but tire wear was not affected, so guess I am okay.
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Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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04-10-2014, 11:17 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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My hitch is adjustable and so I lowered my hitch and raised my king pin on advice of the engineer at Mor/Ryd (had it pretty level before that, but the hitch was as high as it would go). Did seem to tow better after, but that could be mental.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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04-10-2014, 01:30 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Willow Spring, NC
Posts: 996
M.O.C. #13909
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What is the best way to check "Level"? My Reese R20 has 4 positions. I used the one they used in their drawing as a starting point. My Ram 3500 DRW looks like it's high in the back until I hitch up, then it squats to what I'd say is level for the truck. The gap between the trailer and truck rail look evenly spaced back to front and about 8" or so. I've really never measured it. During PDI, the tech was helping me hitch up to level it and he said I lucked out and it was good to go. It sure looks like it, but I'm not sure how to tell exactly.
__________________
Jim & Martha Abernathy
2014 Montana 3402RL Level UP, Sailun S637's, TST 507, 500W solar
2014 Ram 3500 Laramie® 4x2 diesel dually crew-cab 3.73 axle, Reese R20
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04-10-2014, 02:49 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by jfaberna
What is the best way to check "Level"? My Reese R20 has 4 positions. I used the one they used in their drawing as a starting point. My Ram 3500 DRW looks like it's high in the back until I hitch up, then it squats to what I'd say is level for the truck. The gap between the trailer and truck rail look evenly spaced back to front and about 8" or so. I've really never measured it. During PDI, the tech was helping me hitch up to level it and he said I lucked out and it was good to go. It sure looks like it, but I'm not sure how to tell exactly.
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Carpenter's level on the floor or beneath the frame when hitched up would be the easiest check.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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04-13-2014, 07:11 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
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I have several adjustment holes on my Reese slider. I may drop it just one hole, which I think will only lower it about an inch or 1 1/2. Then when I hook up next month I will measure the space, check level like Bingo says, and maybe even take a final measurement from the top of the front air down to the ground.
__________________
Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
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04-14-2014, 12:45 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: miami
Posts: 152
M.O.C. #13290
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i would go with a level too only problem is if the road is not level you won't be able to level it my suggestion is measure the front frame of you trailer to the ground and measure the back frame of the trailer to the ground if it's level your measurement should be the same
that will tell you your trailer is level
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