for some reason I was just thinking, make the trailer higher. 
bed rail too high
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New User
Joined: Jun 2004
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bed rail too high
Was looking at the new Ford F 150 and even brought it home for the night but when I back it up under my 5th wheel there is only about 1 inch clearence from the bottom of the 5th wheel to the top of the bed rail. Any suggestions on what to do about this problem?? Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
Get a Super Duty. Sorry, that's the first thing that came to mind. I knew that when Ford redesigned the F150 they didn't do so with fifth wheels in mind since most are too heavy for the F150. You can always raise the height of the trailer or lower the truck.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
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From: USA
I agree, F150's are not enough truck for most 5th wheel trailers, and as you noticed, they also made the bedrails too high. I would want 6" or more clearance between the bedrails and the trailer, especially if you go down rough dirt roads with it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
85BigBlock, forgive my ignorance, but how is changing the hitch style going to give more bed rail clearance? Without raising or lowering the truck and/or trailer when the trailer sits level (which is a must) it will still have the same bed rail clearance regardless of hitch style.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
johnsdiesel -
Forgive my ignorance, but how is lowering the truck going to increase bed rail clearance? Dumb me, I just assumed the hitch (being mounted in the bed) would be lowered along with the truck.
Steve
Forgive my ignorance, but how is lowering the truck going to increase bed rail clearance? Dumb me, I just assumed the hitch (being mounted in the bed) would be lowered along with the truck.
Steve
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Southern California
Man, it sounds like the dealership's must be pushing the F150 as the new super SUV that can do anything... 
Why are you giving the F150 even a second look if you need a truck that can pull a 5th wheel? Take it back and negotiate a deal on a Super Duty. Since you took the F150 home overnight, they are expecting a sale and will do a lot to keep you from walking away.
I wonder why they designed the '04 F150 with such high bed rails. It seems to me that Ford is abandoning one of their biggest customer's, women. It was women, IMHO, that helped the '97 F150 continue Ford's claim to be the "best selling truck..." Maybe they are trying to get away from the image of the F150 being a 'chick truck', but it seems to be us guys that keep pointing out that the bed is too high to reach into.
Why are you giving the F150 even a second look if you need a truck that can pull a 5th wheel? Take it back and negotiate a deal on a Super Duty. Since you took the F150 home overnight, they are expecting a sale and will do a lot to keep you from walking away.
I wonder why they designed the '04 F150 with such high bed rails. It seems to me that Ford is abandoning one of their biggest customer's, women. It was women, IMHO, that helped the '97 F150 continue Ford's claim to be the "best selling truck..." Maybe they are trying to get away from the image of the F150 being a 'chick truck', but it seems to be us guys that keep pointing out that the bed is too high to reach into.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
Steina, my parents fifth wheel pin is adjustable. I don't know if most are or aren't. The main issue is getting the trailer to sit level. If the truck was lowered, which for an F150 probably isn't an option, when the trailer sits level it would do so a bit higher above the bed rails.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 950
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From: Michigan
cant you put a lift on the trailer axles?? my uncle had his rv dealership do it to his 5 th wheel to make it sit level. with some trailers you can put the axles over the springs, others the process will be more involved.
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