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Old 03-17-2013, 04:03 PM   #1
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5th wheel hitch issue

Looking at the height of my new hitch I'm thinking it's going to be too high for our new 5er picking up on Thurs...I have one more hole of adjustment that will bring it down 1 more inch, but still looks too high. Or am I wrong? Never owned a 5er before...when I looked at the pin height this wknd after signing the paperwork it looked way lower than my hitch head.

We're getting a '13 Crusader 335BHS.

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Old 03-17-2013, 04:06 PM   #2
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Newer fifth wheels are designed for the heights of the newest trucks out. I didn't have any issues with my Sabre and 4x4 dually/3500.

Wait until you go to hookup before worrying too much.
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Old 03-17-2013, 04:13 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad View Post
Newer fifth wheels are designed for the heights of the newest trucks out. I didn't have any issues with my Sabre and 4x4 dually/3500.

Wait until you go to hookup before worrying too much.
X2

Im giving the Same answer as your other thread on the same topic
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Old 03-17-2013, 04:21 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EXGMTech View Post
Looking at the height of my new hitch I'm thinking it's going to be too high for our new 5er picking up on Thurs...I have one more hole of adjustment that will bring it down 1 more inch, but still looks too high. Or am I wrong? Never owned a 5er before...when I looked at the pin height this wknd after signing the paperwork it looked way lower than my hitch head.

We're getting a '13 Crusader 335BHS.
Appears to be at the right height



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Old 03-17-2013, 04:28 PM   #5
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Worst case, there is adjustment on the pinbox also....

Make our techs work a little bit..LOL

You should be fine.
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Old 03-17-2013, 04:28 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by f1100turbo View Post
X2

Im giving the Same answer as your other thread on the same topic
yea I'm a worry wart...I'm convinced my rail height will be ok, it's the hitch I'm concerned about. I had a horrible experience when I was picking up my new TT, the dual cam setup was maxed on adjustment and the trunion bar ends were 2" off the ground....spent 4 or 5 hrs @ the dlr trying to figure it out...they were stumped...don't want anything like that again!
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Old 03-17-2013, 04:29 PM   #7
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Worst case, there is adjustment on the pinbox also....
did not know that....makes me feel better, thanks!
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Old 03-17-2013, 04:31 PM   #8
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When I was ordering the B&W Companion for my hauler, to accommodate the 8289WS, I went to the dealer, leveled a 8289, and measured the height to the pin plate.

I had a choice between the standard Companion, which set 12-1/2 to 14-1/2 inches above the bed, or the Flat Bed model which set 10-1/2 inches above the bed.

Ordered and installed the Flat Bed model, and Friday when I picked the RV up at the dealer, it sets exactly level when hitched.

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Old 03-17-2013, 04:35 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by RodeoGeorge View Post
When I was ordering the B&W Companion for my hauler, to accommodate the 8289WS, I went to the dealer, leveled a 8289, and measured the height to the pin plate.

I had a choice between the standard Companion, which set 12-1/2 to 14-1/2 inches above the bed, or the Flat Bed model which set 10-1/2 inches above the bed.

Ordered and installed the Flat Bed model, and Friday when I picked the RV up at the dealer, it sets exactly level when hitched.

RodeoGeorge
my pin plate is 17" above the bed which to me is high....guess I'll find out Thurs. fingers crossed.
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Old 03-17-2013, 04:54 PM   #10
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Don't forget that once you hitch, the weight of the 5er will cause the truck to settle about 3" or so. Thus, the actual height of your hitch will be lower than you are measuring.

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Old 03-17-2013, 05:38 PM   #11
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Not sure how the Patriot hitch recommends setting the height, but I am guessing that to determine the proper setting you will need to take a few measurements with both the truck and trailer on level ground. When I installed my Reese Elite Series I had to measure the bed of the truck from the ground, and the kingpin plate height from the ground, while both where on level ground and my trailer was leveled out. After subtracting the two numbers and adding 2" to the total (for compression) I was able to determine which holes to use when setting the height of the hitch itself.

If you look at page 12 of the PDF in the link below it will give you an example.

http://4wheelonline.com/images/REESE/pdf/N30142.pdf
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Old 03-17-2013, 05:40 PM   #12
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I am on my 3rd 5th wheel now and 2nd truck .I have had to mod all three 5th wheels to work from flipping axils to welding square tubing between the frame and the suspension. what ever you do make sure you have 51/2 to 7 inches between your bed rails and the trailer . I do a lot of dry camping in Pismo beach and offroad parks my trailers go threw a workout every trip . My last 5er hit my truck bed rail coming out of a gas station on a steep down hill angle. I was lucky only $1300.00 to get them fixed .
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Old 03-18-2013, 07:41 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QCCowboy View Post
Not sure how the Patriot hitch recommends setting the height, but I am guessing that to determine the proper setting you will need to take a few measurements with both the truck and trailer on level ground. When I installed my Reese Elite Series I had to measure the bed of the truck from the ground, and the kingpin plate height from the ground, while both where on level ground and my trailer was leveled out. After subtracting the two numbers and adding 2" to the total (for compression) I was able to determine which holes to use when setting the height of the hitch itself.

If you look at page 12 of the PDF in the link below it will give you an example.

http://4wheelonline.com/images/REESE/pdf/N30142.pdf
X2 went through the same exercise with my Reese when we got our new F350. Once I had double checked all the measurements, adjusted the hitch height before placement in the bed we took it all to our 5er storage and hooked up. Once we had done a quick tug test, we put the 5er weight fully on the truck and checked the measurements again and did a check on level so we could be sure we weren't nose down/up.

Worth the time to do the math and measurements for sure. Gives peace of mind.
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Old 03-18-2013, 07:55 PM   #14
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I just hooker er up and took off, didn't know I should be so worried.
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Old 03-18-2013, 07:58 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by garbonz View Post
I just hooker er up and took off, didn't know I should be so worried.
X2- except I knew better, just didn't know how.
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Old 03-18-2013, 08:10 PM   #16
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Just a thought, you could do a google on the model of your hitch and I am very sure you can find a PDF of the manuals that should/probably have the installation instructions for your hitch. Then you could check the measurements yourself and be positive.
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Old 03-18-2013, 08:32 PM   #17
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Odd stuff

Quote:
Originally Posted by EXGMTech View Post
Looking at the height of my new hitch I'm thinking it's going to be too high for our new 5er picking up on Thurs...I have one more hole of adjustment that will bring it down 1 more inch, but still looks too high. Or am I wrong? Never owned a 5er before...when I looked at the pin height this wknd after signing the paperwork it looked way lower than my hitch head.

We're getting a '13 Crusader 335BHS.

What the heck is all that white stuff on the house roof and next to the truck?
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Old 03-18-2013, 08:46 PM   #18
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My superglide is not adjustable. So I don't worry.
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Old 03-18-2013, 08:51 PM   #19
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that there white stuff is what we were blessed with for our hour's ride taking the trade to the dlr....glad I wasn't bringing the new one back yet....the very thought of all that salt all over our new baby!!!!
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Old 03-18-2013, 09:06 PM   #20
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5er hitches

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My superglide is not adjustable. So I don't worry.
We're doing lots of research before buying our first 5er. Same goes for the hitch. After much reading and talking with RV'ers at several campgrounds, I've decided upon the Pull Rite Super Glide. Yes, it's a bit pricey. But we're concerned with safety and the ease of parking as well.
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