How much clearance to bed rails?

[Charli]

Just wondering how much clearance from the bottom of the nose of the Fifth Wheel to the top of the bedrails of the truck is required? I have almost 8" right now.
I have a Fifth Airborne Sidewinder Pinbox which is adjusted as much as possible to lower the nose however I am still pulling nose high. Probably 5" or so. I can adjust my Reece hitch one more notch which will bring the nose down another inch or so.
It tows fine although do get some chucking on some roads and rear bumper can get pretty close to grounding coming out of some service stations.

[Ram Montana High Country]

I'd be interested in this answer as well

[Ram Montana High Country]

eTRAILER.com - mentioned 6" as being a safe distance ?? anyone have feedback?

[Eagleback]

We tow pretty much all highway and some back roads but not across any unimproved roads. So my rule is a fist length between the rail and the unit or around 4 to 5 in. should be fine, but that is coming from my goose neck/5th. wheel towing days when we owned the farm. But IMHO i would think towing nose high would be more of an issue.

[1retired06]

I run with 4 inch clearance, and half a degree out from level. Have never touched.

[waynemoore]

Has your truck been raised or taller tires been installed? Maybe air bags?

[Carl n Susan]

I have about 5" and it is adequate. I think it is more important to get closer to level and raise the rear to avoid dragging.

[Ram Montana High Country]

'17 Ram 2500 SWB 4x4 Auto Airlevel (factory), all stock, w/Cummins - B&W Companion (in lowest position), '17 305RL / TrailAir Pin Box (raised in highest position to lower nose), Stock Tire & suspension - this leaves me on bedroom side with six foot level about 1 1/2" on front of level to be level. Hope that all makes sense.

The Auto Air level from factory has two positions: Normal and Alternate Trailer level - will have to check with RAM to see if drive in Alternate position can be used will towing on highway - this alternate level drops the back of truck two inches - getting pretty close to level. Not sure what happens to headlight aim or suspension travel.

Would tire change impact warranty? Suppose this would be least expensive change. Raising Pin Box Improved 2 1/2".

Thoughts? Sure wished dealer might have said something ...

[Charli]

Originally Posted by waynemoore

Has your truck been raised or taller tires been installed? Maybe air bags?

2011 F350 with 20" tires. Standard suspension. Reese 18k hitch with the Pucs.
2015 Mountaineer with 5th Airborne Sidewinder pin box raised as much as possible so there is adequate clearance from bottom of trailer nose when it pivots. (dealer said I couldn't raise Pinbox any higher). Standard trailer king 16" tires which are now being swapped out for sailuns which won't make much difference on trailer height

[1retired06]

Originally Posted by waynemoore

Has your truck been raised or taller tires been installed? Maybe air bags?

Yes, air bags

[hunts800]

I run 6 1/2" . There are times when going over angled driveways, especially if you cannot take it head-on, that the trailer comes close to touching the bed. I would not fell comfortable with anything less.

[RV6A]

While I have never measured mine I think it is close to 6". We recently had a very steep pullout onto a road so I put my slider hitch in the rear position. I'm glad I did as the bed would have touched the bottom of the fiver.

[Mel B.]

My last SOB 5ver had 5" and in some of the boondocking places we go that was not enough, I hit my bed rails more than once, on uneven ground. Now my 2004 2955 sits about 7-8" above the rail (same truck) and so far so good. When I had the SOB 5ver 5" was enough for any paved roads, gas station driveways. I don't think 4-5" will be a problem unless your putting it in 4 wheel drive and not camping on pavement. I like camping in DIRT!

[cpaulsen]

2008 Ford F250 and I have about 8" clearance.

[CaptnJohn]

My Cougar was right at 5" and the Monty is at 5 1/2" to be level on my '16 F350.

[BuilderBob]

It should be as close to 6" as you can get is the rule for most fivers any thing less
you may hit the bottom of the of the noise on steep angles.

[mlh]

I have about 8 inches. That's more than most people need. I don't mind taking my HC off road where you need extra clearance. Some places I still need to watch close so the truck and camper don't touch. 4 to 5 inches stay on fairly level road, 6 inch most of the time off road you are safe, 8 + inches you are almost always safe.
Lynwood

[Charli]

Took a 2017 F350 Lariat for test drive today. Nice truck and has a 2 step manually activated engine brake. Big improvement over my 2011. Last thing I did before I left the lot was to park my 2011 KR next to the 2017 Lariat. Took out a measuring tape. Bed rails were 60" from the ground which is 3" taller than my truck and the floor of the truck bed was 2" taller than my unit.
Now that really complicates my dilemma of clearance to the bed rails and towing nose high. If I upgrade the truck I will have to raise the trailer at the axles to get it anywhere close to level. I'm already at about 13'7" with the 2nd a/c in the front bedroom. Wish they would have installed the slimline a/c

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Charli

Took a 2017 F350 Lariat for test drive today. Nice truck and has a 2 step manually activated engine brake. Big improvement over my 2011. Last thing I did before I left the lot was to park my 2011 KR next to the 2017 Lariat. Took out a measuring tape. Bed rails were 60" from the ground which is 3" taller than my truck and the floor of the truck bed was 2" taller than my unit.
Now that really complicates my dilemma of clearance to the bed rails and towing nose high. If I upgrade the truck I will have to raise the trailer at the axles to get it anywhere close to level. I'm already at about 13'7" with the 2nd a/c in the front bedroom. Wish they would have installed the slimline a/c

I'll need to measure now. I have the same truck but a 2016. No fancy hitch or pin box and runs level easily.

[Buzz19766]

I have a new 2021 Ram 3500 dually. It sets level with 9" clearance.

Long beds, short beds and hitch manufacturers will differ.