5th Wheel Hitch
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 63
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5th Wheel Hitch
I had the hitch removed from my 2011 truck and need it installed in the 2017.
I am concerned that the difference in how high the new truck is there may be a problem with clearance. What has been the experience? Do I need to be concerned?
I am concerned that the difference in how high the new truck is there may be a problem with clearance. What has been the experience? Do I need to be concerned?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 322
Likes: 3
From: Churchville, Maryland
Measure - measure - measure
Yes, you should be concerned. The sides of the new truck are higher. You will have the option of raising your hitch (if possible) or lowering your pin box. Either will work.
You may get lucky and everything works -- but MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE
bigdon68
You may get lucky and everything works -- but MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE
bigdon68
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 63
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I had 6 to 7 inches on the old truck. Lowering the pin or raising the hitch will ship more weight to the axles. It was pretty level the way it sat on the old truck. Hopefully that doesn't shift too much to the trailer axles
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
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Is one of the above preferred over the other because I believe I can do either.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 722
Likes: 7
From: Oregon
I think it all depends on your intended results. For example, on my setup, my hitch only has 3" of adjustability in 1" increments, my pin box has 5-7" (cannot recall off the top of my head) of adjustability. So, like I said depending on how much you need to move it, you may need to move one or both.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Homer Glen IL,
First 5th wheel hitch
I am awaiting my 2017 lariat ultimate, 4x4 off rd. Camera / tow package and a factory 18 k hitch. I also am purchasing Saturday a 2015 keystone cougar 333mks 36.8 ft 10+k lb. General rv will have to deliver to my storage facility since truck will need 1k miles before towing 10 k. SO this is all a first for me.... What do I need to look for initially when I hook up ? Obviously it needs to be level to the eye and 6-7 inches clearance over bed rails. When initial hitching need to line up king pin and 5th wheel with auto level jacks. What else am I missing from a level pin box set up? Thanks again new to 5th wheel towing. Thanks appreciate all read on this great forum..
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New User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 11
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From: Angleton
I have already done $865 in damage to my fifth wheel due to Fords stupid decisions in raising the bed rail heights etc. I would of never bought this truck and just kept my 2014 model.
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FTFY......
New User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Angleton
I get it , but when I had the new B&W installed I had 5 1/2" clearance between the bed rails and 5er, RV was still not as level as I would have liked but it was all we could get without getting the RV even more nose high.
I am looking into having the axles modified on the RV to raise the height of the RV in order to set it up properly. Not going to be a cheap fix.
Everything else about the truck is great, I'll get it worked out soon.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 123
Likes: 14
This whole issue with the truck height going up is making me rethink buying new. I don't yet have my fifth wheel, but will be buying one within a year for a long road trip to Alaska. I know I have to have another truck--my 6.2L F250 won't work. And I'd definitely buy new, but with all the issues getting the hitch right with the 2017s, now I guess I'll have to go used or find a '16 that's been sitting forever on a lot. I really don't understand the thinking behind the drive to make these trucks so tall.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 2
I just double-checked the dimensions for my 2001 F350 compared to the 2017 F350. The 2001 shows a "load height" of 38.5" and the 2017 shows a "Open tailgate to ground" as 38.1"..... This is getting somewhat confusing when reading posts that pose problems with 5th wheel hitching....
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 492
Likes: 35
My 2017 is 2" high then my 2012.
I pulled perfectly level before. Now I am 2" nose high.
I didn't notice any difference in bed to rail height...I had 6" before and still do.
Trailer is a 2016 NorthPoint. I have lowered the trailers springs 1" to the next lower hole in the spring hangers and, just today, replaced the 235/80's with 235/85's and got another 1/2" in height.
It's level again.
I pulled perfectly level before. Now I am 2" nose high.
I didn't notice any difference in bed to rail height...I had 6" before and still do.
Trailer is a 2016 NorthPoint. I have lowered the trailers springs 1" to the next lower hole in the spring hangers and, just today, replaced the 235/80's with 235/85's and got another 1/2" in height.
It's level again.