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Old 08-17-2006, 02:33 AM   #1
Ozz
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
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M.O.C. #5980
Hitch height

What is the suggested height for the hitch?
I just got my Husky EZ Roller Airbox, and I need to set it to the proper height. I have the 3/4 Ton Ford 4x4 offroad PSD. I also just put the Firestone air bags on the truck.
Thanks, Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, 2nd one and twinning kit coming
Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish
LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge
LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets
On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat
Hadley Air Horns
Truck inverter with 110 volts for laptop
Color Backup Camera
Awning lock

 
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Old 08-17-2006, 02:49 AM   #2
Wrenchtraveller
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I have always tried to have a minimum of 6" between the truck and the fifth wheel and my auxilary tank/tool box is only 1" above the rail of my pickup. I have about 7" of clearance with my Montana and that is even better. I think as long as your trailer is close to level and you have at least 6" , you should be ok, but watch your tool box.

An above rail tool box like you have is something you have to be careful with. Your fifth wheel will pass over it on level ground, but on uneven ground you could make contact. Take care.

Don & Donna
Vancouver Island
2005 Ford F350 V10 Lariat CC 4x4 LB SRW 11200 GVWR
2006 Montana 2955RL
click on the little pic to see a big pic
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Old 08-17-2006, 03:26 AM   #3
Ozz
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Thanks, Don.
I will buy the low profile tool box, I saw one at Feldmans farm supply, but it wasn't very deep, I'd like to have a deeper box. I'm still looking.
Don, were you the handy guy that added support to the spare hanging under your Monte? I intend on doing that.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, 2nd one and twinning kit coming
Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish
LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge
LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets
On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat
Hadley Air Horns
Truck inverter with 110 volts for laptop
Color Backup Camera
Awning lock

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Old 08-17-2006, 03:28 AM   #4
Glenn and Lorraine
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Gonna go along with Wrenchtraveler. A tool box that sets up as high as your's especially on a short bed truck could be a problem. My tool box is an inch lower than the TV's side rails and even with the slider hitch the Monty does go over top of my box when turning.





Glenn
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M O C - 4 2 0


We are using a 2005 White GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD Extended Cab, Short Bed, 4X4
with the Duramax/Allison Combo and Firestone Ride-Rite air bags
to drag around our 2004 Montana 2955RL 32'
using a PullRite 16K SuperGlide Automatic Sliding Hitch


"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us!"

You know you are retired when you wake up in the morning with
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BUT, Keep in mind, doing nothing can be a very
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Old 08-17-2006, 03:34 AM   #5
Glenn and Lorraine
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My box is plenty deep as it sets directly on the bed of the TV. Got it at Lowe's

Kobalt Full Size Truck Box

And this box looks as good as the day I got it 3 years ago.
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Old 08-17-2006, 05:08 AM   #6
sreigle
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Ozz, I also several years ago swapped out my high box for a steel toolbox that sits level with the bedrails in my shortbed truck. I got it at Tractor Supply.

My truck is very similar to yours. I have 8 1/2 inches of clearance over the bedrails, which is really nice as I rarely have to worry about clearance although I do watch it in the mirrors when warranted. I don't know if your new 3400RL will differ in clearance from our 2003 3295RK.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

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Old 08-17-2006, 05:30 AM   #7
Ozz
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Glenn,
I like that Kobalt, nice and deep. Steve, I'll try Tractor supply as well as Lowe's
Unhooked, how would you check the hitch height?
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, 2nd one and twinning kit coming
Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish
LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge
LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets
On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat
Hadley Air Horns
Truck inverter with 110 volts for laptop
Color Backup Camera
Awning lock

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Old 08-17-2006, 09:28 AM   #8
Wrenchtraveller
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No, it wasn't me who added support to the spare tire but it sounds like it might be a good thing to look into.

I did check my spare every few days and it did stay tight on my unit. Take care.

Don & Donna
Vancouver Island
2005 Ford F350 V10 Lariat CC 4x4 LB SRW 11200 GVWR
2006 Montana 2955RL
click on the little pic to see a big pic
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Old 08-18-2006, 06:20 AM   #9
sreigle
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Ozz, I don't know how you would check hitch height when unhitched. I guess you could level the trailer and measure the distance of the pin (the part that sits on the hitch saddle), then measure the distance of the saddle from the ground. You'd have to run a board or something from the saddle to behind the truck, making sure the board is level. It might be easier just to hitch it up and put a level on the frame under the rig and compare that to the level sitting on the ground, assuming you're on a flat piece of ground. I'd just hitch it up. I also want the pin to clear my V tailgate so if i have to run an inch or two high on the nose of the Montana I'll do that just for the convenience, so long as weight on the axles is not a problem and the ride is good.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

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Old 08-18-2006, 10:25 AM   #10
Ozz
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Steve,
Yes, I had pretty much thought the same thing, my service manager over at Naylor, (Jim) told me the inches from the ground, but I forgot, I'll call him.
I have the new Air ride hitch and the new air overloads installed, I'll take a picture and post it if anyone is interested.
Thank you and Wrenchtraveller for responding.
It's kinda odd when you post and no one contributes, or helps, but I can see that most of us read, enjoy, and don't see the need to respond, that's OK too.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup Camera, Awning lock
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Old 08-19-2006, 06:25 AM   #11
sreigle
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I'd like to see the pictures, Ozz. Jim is one of the reasons we went back to Naylor for this purchase. Also Pete, the salesman, and Barry, the owner. Good dealership.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

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Old 08-19-2006, 08:06 AM   #12
Ozz
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I just got the hitch, toolbox and bedsaver all bolted in and ready to go.
I'll post pictures in another thread.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup Camera, Awning lock
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Old 08-20-2006, 10:46 AM   #13
simonsrf
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I'm about to install the air ride hitch too.

Don't you just measure the pin height before you take the old hitch off?...and then adjust the air ride to that height? Am I missing something here?

Also, I have the same toolbox that Glenn bought at Lowes, but I had to buy the one that didn't reach the floor of the bed. I have the SWB and needed the 6"3" length for a ladder etc.

Thanks,
Robbie

Peace!
Robbie & Alice Simons
Seattle

2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 SWB Laramie (LNRNGR)
2006 2980RL (TONTOW)
Line-X bed liner
Jacobs Exhaust Brake
Prodigy Brake Controller
Hijacker 24-UMS-21 Hitch
Start Fulltiming 10/2006
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Old 08-20-2006, 11:50 AM   #14
Ozz
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Robbie,
You are right on the height, but I had no 5er hitch, I just went from a TT to my Montana, so I'm in the learning curve.
I went to Lowe's, but I think the tool box Glenn has was shorter than the Weatherguard, also I have a Weatherguard I took out for this one, they are a really well made box.
I have Three toolboxes now, only Two trucks, a work horse truck I bought new in 1976 that I have a Tommy lift on, she's a good old gal, Yellow in color, of course I call her 'Old Yeller' around 400,000 miles, Three engines and 3 transmissions later, still tickin.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup Camera, Awning lock
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Old 08-20-2006, 12:17 PM   #15
simonsrf
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Ozz,

Wow, that must have been some conversion to change a TT to a 5er! Please, don't tell me how you did it. :-)

Old Yeller, sounds a lot like my old '70 F350 'Old Red' snowplow truck (380,000 miles). Thanks for the information on the hitch, you threw me for a loop, I thought I had it all figured out and almost had 'tool-in-hand', which is a bad thing when toolee is confused!

Like Glenn said, the toolbox I bought is aluminum and real light, but if I get 3+ years out of it like he did, I'll be real happy. I only paid $238 + tax. You can just barely see it in my signature picture.

Guess I have to start listing my toys to keep up with the Smiths! Let's see, where did I stash that invoice on my Solar Electric Battery Charging System, or the wind turbine, gee, where did that one go? :-)


Robbie

Peace!
Robbie & Alice Simons
Seattle

2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 SWB Laramie (LNRNGR)
2006 2980RL (TONTOW)
Line-X bed liner
Jacobs Exhaust Brake
Prodigy Brake Controller
Hijacker 24-UMS-21 Hitch
Start Fulltiming 10/2006
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Old 08-20-2006, 02:56 PM   #16
Ozz
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Robbie, you are a Hoot!
I will run some service work out of mine in the Summer heat, and that can be a little hard on them, so I went with that one.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup Camera, Awning lock
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