Towing lifted

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Aug 24, 2011 | 09:43 AM

roostercrows

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Laughing Gas

Joined: Aug 2005

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From: Port Elgin, On

Towing lifted

Hey guys. I have a question about towing with a lifted truck. I have a 4" lift in my truck and would like to tow a 5th wheel camper, specifically a 2008 32' Wildcat toy hauler. My truck is a 2003 f350 srw, cc, long box.
I am concerned about the trailer nose height.

I backed under it last night and with the trailer level I had about 1" clearence between the top of my bed and the bottom of the 5th wheel "nose". I cant connect it to see how it sits because the hitch isn't in the truck.

Thoughts?

Aug 24, 2011 | 09:50 AM

BPofMD

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From: Millersville, MD

You need about 4" clearance between truck rails and trailer.....Even with that I've had contact between my rails and the lamp under the front of the 5er. I busted the lens cover pulling it off a small hill in an RV park.

Aug 24, 2011 | 05:15 PM

BigAlsPSD

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From: Pea Ridge, AR

You could always lift the 5ver too?

Aug 24, 2011 | 07:13 PM

BPofMD

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Joined: Jul 2005

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From: Millersville, MD

But you'll be up in the wind more then.....Center of gravity will change. Watch out for towing in a cross wind.

Aug 24, 2011 | 08:51 PM

BigAlsPSD

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From: Pea Ridge, AR

True not to mention clearances as my 5ver already comes close to some bridges. I was just saying it was an option?

Aug 25, 2011 | 07:03 AM

mudfuel06

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From: Chiefland, Fl

I agree with BPofMD, you need at least 4" and I've kissed the bedrails with 5" before coming out of a drive thru.

Aug 25, 2011 | 10:30 AM

89LX306

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,815

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From: Houston

I lifted my 2005 Wildcat 4". My truck has a 4.5" lift and 35" tires. I used blocks that a friend of mine custom made for me. I have put over 10k miles on them in the last year and they work great. I also swapped out my 5th wheel tires from the stock 225/70or75/15 to 235/85/16. That also gave me a bit of lift. I have 8" of bed clearance and have still kissed the rails once. I drive over some "terrain" every now and then with the 5th wheel in tow.

It has worked great over the last year.

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Aug 27, 2011 | 07:15 PM

BigAlsPSD

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Joined: May 2009

Posts: 5,470

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From: Pea Ridge, AR

Looks like rectangular tubing to me, with flat plate welded on the ends.

Aug 27, 2011 | 10:21 PM

#10

_Me2_

Elder User

Joined: Nov 2010

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I've got a very similar setup to yours and pull a 34' 5th wheel. It has an axle flip and gives me about 6-7" of clearance over the bed rails. Since you have a lifted truck and a toy hauler, I'm guessing you will probably need to do at least some mild off-roading to get where you want to go. My opinion is that at least 6" are needed if that's the case. I have had no issues in crosswinds, etc.

If your springs on the 5th wheel are below the axles, then there are kits you can get to move them to the top and give you a few inches of clearance. If they are already over the axles, then you will need to do something like the lift blocks mentioned.