5th Wheel tow height

[Kenl]

Hi, I bought a used truck and 5th wheel setup and am confused by what I've been reading about the height of the 5er above the rail of the truck. I have a 2004 Wildcat 27RL with a 2002 F250 V10. I bought it from a widow that bought the 5er new as a upgrade and only used it 3 times before her husband passed. The problem is I'm not sure it is set up right. I've read that the trailer should be 5-7 inches above the truck rail when hitched to a Reese hitch. I've also read that the 5er should be close to level when hitched to distribute weight correctly.
Here's my issue I'm at 8 inches above the rail and still about 3 inches low of level.
The F-250 was bought to tow a different 5th Wheel in 2002. The 5er has all new rubber per Manufacturers specifications. Am I setup right or should I make some adjustments based on the experience that you have out there on the road.
Thanks for the help.
Ken

[Ford Idaho]

Is the 250 2 wheel drive?
What size tires are on the truck and trailer?
Do you have a side view picture of the rig?

[puff]

8 inches above the height of the box is more than enough room. In your post you never said which way it is out of level..?? Nose high or tail high..? You should be able to adjust your 5th wheel hitch in your truck and the pin box on the 5th wheel to bring it into a better level stance. Other things to consider, were your tires inflated to the right amount, do you have the correct tires on your truck..? Should you be adding a leaf or air bags to your truck..?
Like stated above pics would be great.

[Kenl]

Yes 2 wheel drive. Stock 16" tires on the truck and 15" on the 5er.

[Kenl]

I am nose low. The tires are all new and correctly inflated. Are you saying that I should be level even if it puts the 5er 10 - 11 inches above the rail?

[AquaMan]

The 5-7 inches is considered a minimum is most cases. If raising to level raises above those specs, it's not a big deal.

[Dave_Monica]

Sounds like you need to raise the front of the camper 1 1/2" to be level. You can raise the hitch in the truck or lower the pinbox or both to get the 1 1/2". Your clearance above the bed rails will increase which is never bad.

Dave

[puff]

What Dave said. Just curious what load range are your tires..?

[puff]

Was the truck back end low..? Did it look like you were trying to perform a shuttle launch..?

[Kenl]

All of my tires are load range "E" , When I set the 5er on the truck the bed only drops about 2" The ford has a very stiff suspension. There is no front end lift off I actually put a level on the truck rails when hooked up and I am slightly off level with the back end slightly high. That's why I was wondering about the hight over the rail. If 10 - 11" is not going to hurt anything road worthy wise then I'm going to raise the hitch and if necessary lower the king pin box.
Thanks for all the help everyone.
Ken

[Dave_Monica]

If you're measuring from the frame to the ground at the front and the rear of the camper and you're 3" low on the front, you need only to raise the front of the camper 1 1/2" to level...probably a little more as the axles (pivot point) are to the rear of center.

Dave

[jonrjen]

There maybe one other option. If you don't care for the look of the 5th wheel sitting on the truck with such a high clearance after raising the hitch up to a level stance. Check the axle suspension adjustment. Most trailers now day can be height adjusted by raising or lowering the trailer axles setting.
The trailer may have been set for towing with a 4x4 truck height when send from the factory.
Depending on your personal ability you maybe able to lower or raise the axle height setting yourself or you may prefer to pay a dealer to do this service for you.