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Old 10-22-2008, 09:57 AM   #1
Legend
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3400 Bed Rail Clearance

I had a 18K Superglide installed in my 2008 2500HD. With the new heights of the chevy bed sides I only have 3 1/4 inch clearance between the top of the bed rail and the underside of my 2006 3400RL. That is after changing the 3400 tires this weekend to LT23585R16 due to a Mission right rear tire blowout on I75 in Fl that also caused a caused a gouge in the right front tire due to the superslide adjustment bolt dropping lower and hitting the tire.

In the process of getting into the tire store I had to make a 60 to 70 degree turn to cross traffic and at the same time dropped a wheel into a hole. When the 3400 pivoted it caused a large dent in the bed rail from the 3400 hitting the rail.

What should be a good clearance and what adjustments can I make to get there before I have my truck fixed and do it again?
 
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Old 10-22-2008, 10:27 AM   #2
bsmeaton
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When I picked mine up, the Dealer used the "two stacked fist" method to measure. For me that is about 24-inches, but for most mortal men I think its between 6 and 8 inches. Yours sounds pretty low.
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Old 10-22-2008, 10:29 AM   #3
HughM
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Mimimum 6 inches. I had the same problem with my 2500HD. I had to raise the hitch (16,000 Reese Slider) in the truck. 10 minute job and I have 6 1/2 inches clearance.
If you can't raise the hitch (Superglide?) then you need to drop the Monty's hitch. Either way you need 6 inches clearance....as you found out the hard way.
End result is the Monty needs to be level when towing. As a last resort you may need to flip the axles.
Hugh
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Old 10-22-2008, 10:52 AM   #4
H. John Kohl
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by bsmeaton

When I picked mine up, the Dealer used the "two stacked fist" method to measure. For me that is about 24-inches, but for most mortal men I think its between 6 and 8 inches. Yours sounds pretty low.
My answer is the same. I had to drop the pin box down because I creased the underbelly of Monty.
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Old 10-22-2008, 11:56 AM   #5
ols1932
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Ours is about six inches. That seems to me to be about the best average. Anything lower and you're asking for trouble.

Orv
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Old 10-22-2008, 12:57 PM   #6
snfexpress
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I actually had to get rid of the bedsaver when we bought the dually (GMC). The SRW 1-ton sat high in the rear, due to the taller tires that could increase the weight rating of the SRW. The dually has lower tires and our 3400 was only a few (3-4) inches above the bed rails.

I didn't like this situation, so in my case I had to raise the hitch which predicated the removal of the bedsaver. I am now level and check VERY carefully the hookup connection.
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Old 10-25-2008, 07:44 AM   #7
sreigle
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I had to drop the pinbox down when I went to the superglide for the same reason, insufficient clearance. I also agree 6 inches is the minimum. We currently have 8 inches of clearance. When I measure frame to ground of the Montana when hitched, the nose is 3/4 inch higher. I can live with that in order to have sufficient bedrail clearance.
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