Bed Rail issues towing a 5th wheel with a 2017 F 250 or 350?
 

I am considering buying a 2017 F 250 or 350 Diesel Super Duty, short bed with 20" tires to pull a 2014 Prime Time Crusader Model 295 RST 5th wheel. Should I be concerned about bed rail clearance?

You set the bed rail clearance to 6" or so with your hitch/ponbox adjustments. Given how tall these trucks are, you may be an inch or two nose high on your trailer. Personally, I wouldn't worry about 1 or 2" of negative rake on a 32' trailer.

X2.....You should be fine.


Once you add the weight of the 5ther it will set the rear of your truck down some. Then determine how much adjustment (on your pin box and or hitch) you will need.


One thing to think about, I am not sure what your hitch weight is on your 5ther but, with a 250 you might need air bags or add an over load spring. With a 350 you will be fine.


Good luck on your decision

I've been pulling a 39' Momentum 350m with a 2017 F350 for a few months now and have no problems with bed rail clearance. Using a Curt Q20 hitch and it is set on the highest setting. Trailer sits very close to level when hitched.

I just got my 2017 F350 SRW Crew 4x4 with 18" wheels and 2018 Grand Design Reflection 29RS 5th wheel in the last 2 weeks. It's sitting in the driveway right now, loaded and ready for early morning departure on its maiden voyage. Curt Q20/R20 slider is 17 1/2" tall. Pin weight is right around 2K give or take a bit - not weighed yet. I haven't measured exactly how level it is, mainly because I am tired and my gravel driveway wouldn't give me an accurate reading anyway, but eyeballing it looks pretty level. I'll measure when I get on a concrete pad. I have a bit more than 7" bed rail clearance with the pin box set the way it came from the factory. It's almost like GD sets them up for F350s at the factory. There is a little bit less clearance at the little "spoiler" lip on the tailgate.

I first was going to get a 250, but the way Ford rates them they are a bit light weight even for some "half ton towables." Hard to believe, but check the yellow sticker inside the door. Yes, you can add airbags, timbrens, etc, but I'm too old to mess with that crap anymore. Life's too short to "make do" and cheap beer.

Good luck on your hunt.

-jj

JJ, welcome to FTE. Nice first post! Have fun on your trip.

Thanks. Glad to be here. Look forward to learning more about my truck and sharing what I can.

-jj

Welcome to the group. A great bunch of knowledge is here. Some folks are current techs, I believe there is an engineer in the group. :)

I had issues, my fifth wheel sat level and I had 7 inches of bed clearance. My problem was the pin box cover was cutting the top rail on sharp turns. I used a dremel and shaved a inch off the cover and now no problems. I still have to replace the bed rails from the previous incidents. Anyone know how much they are?