I have a 2002 F350 Crew Cab 4x4 SRW Long Bed, that I use for towing my 30' Travel Trailer. We are looking at a 28' 5th Wheel and it has a hitch height of 46". I am not sure how this equates to the 37" bed height Ford lists and what the 5th wheel receiver height is. I could use any help / advise about 5th wheel hookups, hitch recommendations and height issues with the F350 and 5th wheel trailers. Thanks, Gus

 

When a fifth wheel hitch is installed, it is adjustable for height. If the hitch is going to be installed by a differennt dealer as the trailer, make sure the installer has the hitch height and they can install it accordingly.

 

I have a 2001 f250 cc 4x4 and my Dutchman fifth wheel set at a very steep angle. I had to flip the axles of the camper to where the springs were on top of the axles so it would ride level with my truck. On the first tow home the camper hit my toprails and did a little damage to the truck so after that I made sure to get the trailer level. If when you buy it the trailer doesn't sit level I would do whatever it takes to get it level. The fifth wheel pulls 1000% better when level. Trust me I know from experience. Good luck.


-lee-

 

You should be okay. Both the bed mounted hitch and the hitch pin on the trailer will be adjustable for height but as the previous posting indicates, trailer clearance over the bed rails is also important (Reese recommends 6 inch min.) Just grab a measuring tape and do some arithmatic.
Another consideration relative to the level ride issue, my 2002 250 SD, long bed squats 3 inches lower at the rear bumper with 1750 lbs of hitch resting over the rear axel. (makes the truck ride level instead of nose down) I am not sure what your one ton spring rates are but don't expect much over 2 inches with a 27 foot trailer.
Good luck.
P.S. I read on one of these threads that Ford alone, not GM or Dodge, sells a lowering kit so you can avoid raising the trailer to get a more level ride.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I've heard that using any lowering kit will invalidate FORDS warrantee's. Not sure how true that is. Gus

 

 

Did you do this mod yourself or did you take it some place. I am looking to see if you used the same springs, or did you upgrade. Curious on the handling also. Thanks for any related information that you can provide.

 

I have heard of a 350 owner replacing his 4" rear blocks with 2" 250 blocks to help with 5th wheel bed clearance... I don't know what type of trailer he had or any details on why he elected to do this rather than "flipping" his trailer axles.

Just a thought.

Edmo

 

Putting the 2 inch blocks on a 350 (2002 and 2003) makes it a 250! The ONLY difference between the 250 and 350 is 2 inch or 4 inch blocks. You can put air bags on a 250 and get the same capacity as a 350 (not leagally). Everything on these two trucks is identical except the blocks. Yes, the springs are the same as well.

 

I just purchesed a 2003 F-250SD Crew with the 6L 4x4 loaded. I thought the same thing, due to t he fact that Im in the market for a 5ver. A man who worked at an RV lot (for years) told me that if you were to high (truck height) that the angle of the 5ver would put to much weight and stress on the rear wheels, seems cool--- well then I thought CALL SOMEONE WHO WOULD KNOW.I made a call to Dusty's in central Fla. (Big Operation) and he said the same thing about "flipping" the axle. Also I've heard that you can also adjust the king pin box and hitch as well. It looks like we have a few options in the height.