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08-19-2014, 03:40 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 65
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Fifth wheel hitch clearance
I am towing a 2015 Shasta Phoenix with 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 crew cab equipped with a Reese slider 15k. No problems pulling but when backing into a space with slight incline and slider in the back position for maneuvering, the trailer dipped down on the passenger side and put a dent on the top corner of the tailgate. Did not do any damage to the bed rail just about a 3 inch wide depression on the top of the gate. Any ideas as to what could have caused this?
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08-19-2014, 06:19 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Waterloo Region
Posts: 729
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When the entire rig is on flat ground, how much vertical clearance do you have between the box and the 5er? Should be at least 6 inches all around. Some newer pickups - especially with the pimp-wheel options (e.g. 20-inchers) - have very tall bed rails and the only way to get the clearance right and still be towing flat is to install a lift kit on the trailer.
__________________
2015 Rockwood Signature UltraLite 8282WS Platinum, GY Marathon LRD, TST 507RV TPMS
2005 GMC 2500HD CCSB D/A, Curt E16, Prodigy P2, Garmin RV760LMT w/BC-20 b/u cam
 Self restraint is for the young. I'm old and want it NOW!
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08-19-2014, 07:19 PM
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#3
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Camper Less Camping
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NW
Posts: 3,642
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Anything less than 6" bed clearance between truck bed cap and fifth wheel bottom will definetly increase the opportunity to touch during steep turns...as above poster noted...hitch lift and /or camper axle lift kit to eliminate the issue.
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2013 Sabre 32RCTS-6 (sold)
Family of 4 whose always on the GEAUX!
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08-20-2014, 02:28 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 65
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Truck does have 18 inch wheels and tires. There are adjustment holes on both the hitch and the king pin frame. Would raising the hitch and lowering the king pin mount give the height? I am at just under 6 inches on flat ground
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08-20-2014, 06:40 AM
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#5
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Camper Less Camping
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NW
Posts: 3,642
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^^^Definetly worth a try...Most likely that will help if you're only off in bed clearance by a small margin.
__________________
2013 Sabre 32RCTS-6 (sold)
Family of 4 whose always on the GEAUX!
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08-20-2014, 10:55 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 409
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Did the underside of the 5er do it or did the 5er hitch box do it. I don't use a slider in my SB trucks and have less than 6" clearance and I have never had an issue. I just bought a used hitch to put back in my old truck to use in an emergency (long story) and I do know that with it in the rear position I would not move my rig with the tailgate in the up position because the hitch frame on the 5er is very close to it.
__________________
2005 Ram 5.9 AT SB QC (Retired)
2010 Ram 6.7 G56 QC CC Aluminum flat/Leveled (Sold)
2008 Nitro Z9 towed by a 2015 Sanibel 3601 towed by a 2013 Ram 3500 SRW CCSB Cummins
2006 EZ GO 6" lift
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08-20-2014, 01:09 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 65
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The hitch frame did the damage. You are correct. In the front tow position there is not a problem. I was just afraid of breaking the back glass if I have the 5er to close to the front. I probably made the wrong choice as I have glass breakage for windows but not tailgate replacement. I need to raise the hitch in the bed to the highest level and that will take care of the clearance. Thanks for all the suggestions and help. That is what got me going in the right direction
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08-20-2014, 02:10 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Waterloo Region
Posts: 729
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Looking at the feature list, the Shasta Phoenix has the Revolution pin box. I think you'll find a large majority of opinion here to activate the Revolution and ditch the slider. (e.g. dcheatwood who had one, never used it and switched to a fixed hitch)
__________________
2015 Rockwood Signature UltraLite 8282WS Platinum, GY Marathon LRD, TST 507RV TPMS
2005 GMC 2500HD CCSB D/A, Curt E16, Prodigy P2, Garmin RV760LMT w/BC-20 b/u cam
Self restraint is for the young. I'm old and want it NOW!
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08-20-2014, 02:17 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 65
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That is exactly what I have decided. I will leave the hitch in the normal tow position and adjust the pin box for the correct clearance. After calling Dealer of the Revolution got that exact answer. Thanks for the heads up
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08-20-2014, 03:48 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Splendora, Texas
Posts: 1,314
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I would bet that you have 4 wheel drive? The newer pickup trucks, Chev/GMAC, Ford and Ram, are higher with the 18 inch wheels and 4 wheel drive. Others have had this issue and there are fixes but none that I would want to do. Both the hitch and pin box should have adjustments and if yours are set right and you still have an issue the other fixes are a lot more problem. Good Luck
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09-01-2014, 05:32 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 30
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I have a 2014 2500 Ram and 18" tires with a Reese slider raised as high as it'll go. I thought raising the pin box to lower the trailer would level me and it did to 25.5 front and rear, but I have just 6" clearance now and am afraid I'm going to pinch something. Not thinking I should/needed to use my slider I hit the left side of the cab but didn't break the glass. Reading this thread I believe I'll just lower that pin box again to raise the trailer some - it'll just have to be a bit low in the tail. I'm not about to mess with any axles. I have the Lippert 1716 pinbox and have thought of swapping it to a Trailair 1116 shorter pinbox. But that will bring the trailer some 5.5 inches closer to the bed I've already tapped. Anyone using long pinboxes in short beds? Have manufacturers starte using the shorter pin boxes with more short beds on the roads? Maybe swapping to a shorter pin box is his solution also. I looked at a lot of Montanas today at CamperWorld and they all had Mor/Ryde 1116 on them. Ed
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09-26-2014, 08:30 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 95
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I have a 2014 2500 as well and tow a 2007 Signature Ultralite. I modified a dexter 3" lift kit for my Alko torsion axles and it still sits a little nose high. If I lower my hitch I loose my 6" of bed rail clearance. I'm a little disappointed but I'm not about to touch my truck suspension.
I don't see a good way solve these problems without doing mods to the trucks...
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10-01-2014, 08:47 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Splendora, Texas
Posts: 1,314
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That was the point that I was trying to make, you want level, and 6 inches or more of clearance over bed rail and on some 4WD pickups, even with the pin box and hitch set as best as you can, there can be issues. I wouldn't want to raise the fiver as the center of gravity will also be raised. That is one reason the I got a RWD, F250, longbed, CC, diesel. Good Luck
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10-01-2014, 09:41 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nanaimo
Posts: 487
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With my F350 4x4 I only had 5 inches clearance between the bed rails and 5th wheel on my previous Okanagan 5th.
I had to be VERY careful about going over humps when turning off the main road and also backing up my driveway slope.
Note: if you have a 4x4 ..use 4x low to back up slope or hills.
Now with my Cat I have 6+ inches and it rides nice.
PS I recommend a 5th wheel tailgate when towing.
Sorry to hear about your damage.
Islander
__________________
'07 WildCat 30 RLBS ~ West Coast Edition ~ Trail Air - Tri Glide Pin Box 2000 F350 Lariat DRW 4x4 7.3 Diesel 89k miles Edge programmer, 4" SS exhaust turbo/back, Tru-Cool Max Trans Cooler, Bilstein Shocks Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
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10-01-2014, 02:47 PM
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#15
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South West PA
Posts: 3,012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Islander
With my F350 4x4 I only had 5 inches clearance between the bed rails and 5th wheel on my previous Okanagan 5th.
I had to be VERY careful about going over humps when turning off the main road and also backing up my driveway slope.
Note: if you have a 4x4 ..use 4x low to back up slope or hills.
Now with my Cat I have 6+ inches and it rides nice.
PS I recommend a 5th wheel tailgate when towing.
Sorry to hear about your damage.
Islander
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Cat I ???? just me,but define please 
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10-01-2014, 04:32 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nanaimo
Posts: 487
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grayfox
Cat I ???? just me,but define please |
Sorry.... will this help?
Now with my "WildCat" I have 6+ inches and it rides nice.
Islander
__________________
'07 WildCat 30 RLBS ~ West Coast Edition ~ Trail Air - Tri Glide Pin Box 2000 F350 Lariat DRW 4x4 7.3 Diesel 89k miles Edge programmer, 4" SS exhaust turbo/back, Tru-Cool Max Trans Cooler, Bilstein Shocks Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
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10-01-2014, 08:44 PM
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#17
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South West PA
Posts: 3,012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Islander
Sorry.... will this help?
Now with my "WildCat" I have 6+ inches and it rides nice.
Islander
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Thank you very much kind sir... 
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