Fifth wheel hitting top of truck bed

[Jill]

My husband and I are first time fifth wheel owners. Just got a sabre silhouette and tow with a f-150 with max tow package. The fifth wheel is level when hooked up to truck. When we pull into a camp site going over bumps sometimes puts the bottom side of fifth wheel and top of truck bed too close and has even hit once. Not sure how to fix this or if it can be fixed. Help! Jill

[fonzie]

For better help from members with fifth wheels, what model is your silhouette??

[ependydad]

How much space do you have between the truck bed rails and the bottom side of the fifth wheel? In general, ("they say") you want 5" or more with 6" being the "preferred minimum".

Your options usually are raising your fifth wheel hitch or lowering your pin box on the camper. Usually one or both have adjustments.

I'd rather be a little out of level towing and not hitting the truck and camper together.

[Jill]

2015 330DDOK


Dennis and Jill

[Jill]

Looks like we've got 5 1/2". Gonna have to make some adjustments and ride with camper unlevel. That is definitely the better option. Thank you!


Dennis and Jill

[ependydad]

Mind me asking what the site was like that you made contact? I have 5 3/4" at the tighest spot on mine and have only made contact once when I was an idiot and no amount of space was going to save me.

[Jill]

We were pulling off of a gravel pad onto grass onto more gravel. The driver side corner of bedrail/tailgate hit. No damage this time. But this is only the third time we've had it out since we bought it. It's bound to happen again. I worry if we ride unlevel that we'll be putting the tailgate at risk of hitting because the truck will still be level but the camper will be on a slight angle.


Dennis and Jill

[ependydad]

I'd be surprised if the tailgate is that angled that it is a problem. Either way, can it be worse than what you have now?

[Jill]

Yeah it's worth a try for sure!


Dennis and Jill

[pappcam]

Your main and biggest problem is that you have 2000 lbs. of pin weight in a 1/2 ton and you are obviously way over payload and probably axle rating for that matter.

That's way too much trailer for that F150 although I'm sure the dealer said it was "no problem".

Live and learn I guess.

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by pappcam

Your main and biggest problem is that you have 2000 lbs. of pin weight in a 1/2 ton and you are obviously way over payload and probably axle rating for that matter.

That's way too much trailer for that F150 although I'm sure the dealer said it was "no problem".

Live and learn I guess.

1,770 dry hitch weight and 11,930 gross weight per the specs.

Palomino RV - Manufacturer of Quaility RVs since 1968

F-150 with max tow has a payload of 2,060 to 3,120 depending on exact options.

So it seems that they're actually ok regarding weight. Next time take five minutes to research specs before condemming a combo. It's not hard to get ducks in a row.

As for the actual OP, could have it have been unusual circumstances? Even with more than typical clearance if the right circumstances come together then contact can happen.

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by SKnight

1,770 dry hitch weight and 11,930 gross weight per the specs.

Palomino RV - Manufacturer of Quaility RVs since 1968

F-150 with max tow has a payload of 2,060 to 3,120 depending on exact options.

So it seems that they're actually ok regarding weight. Next time take five minutes to research specs before condemming a combo. It's not hard to get ducks in a row.

As for the actual OP, could have it have been unusual circumstances? Even with more than typical clearance if the right circumstances come together then contact can happen.

I don't believe max tow gives you 2000 lbs. or more of payload. That's the HD payload option and the OP never mentioned HD payload.

I believe my ducks are in a row.

Using fictional dry pin weights from the manufacturer doesn't help your case either.

[Tucson Joe]

I agree with pappcam, why do people use a 1/2ton pick up to tow a heavy 5er.
Get a 3/4 or 1 ton and never worry.
Just sayin nuff said

[bob34787]

x2

[davel1971]

I'm with pappcam. That's a lot of trailer. I'm just a few hundred pounds heavier and towing with a 1 ton diesel. Don't even know its behind me.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Tucson Joe

I agree with pappcam, why do people use a 1/2ton pick up to tow a heavy 5er.
Get a 3/4 or 1 ton and never worry.
Just sayin nuff said

Because we can and it's nobody's business but ours. Some of us don't want to go head over heals in debt just to show off a 3/4, 1 or 1-1/2 t truck when it can and is being done quite nicely with a 1/2 T.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Because we can and it's nobody's business but ours. Some of us don't want to go head over heals in debt just to show off a 3/4, 1 or 1-1/2 t truck when it can and is being done quite nicely with a 1/2 T.

Just because you can doesn't make it right! 😆

[Salmon Hunter]

x2

Some of us can not afford to get a bigger truck. A lot of 1/2 T can be use towing a 5er. It all depends on the mods and setup. Just because it might be at limits does not make it unsafe. That is why they have limits. JMHO

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Just because you can doesn't make it right! ��

And, just because you say it's wrong doesn't make it wrong either.

You will find out there are a lot of things in life that you might consider "Right" that others don't.

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by pappcam

I don't believe max tow gives you 2000 lbs. or more of payload. That's the HD payload option and the OP never mentioned HD payload.

I believe my ducks are in a row.

Using fictional dry pin weights from the manufacturer doesn't help your case either.

Max tow starts at 2,000, with HD option carries it to 3,020. So where am I wrong?

And fictional? My hitch weight was right on spec, despite what everyone thinks, FR knows how to weigh a trailer.

So you're wrong here. They're within spec.

And finally, how does this affect something such as the trailer hitting the bed?even if the truck is sitting on the bump stops the trailer to bed dimension won't change much. They either need to raise the hitch or it got really bound up. Truck capacity isn't in question here.