Rockwood 8280WS light 5er and Ram 2500 4x4

axg1040 · 06-22-2014, 09:49 AM

We really like the Rockwood 8280WS light 5th wheel. Once concern I have is the height of our truck bed. On level ground the bed height is 58 in from ground to top of bed rail. Any members have this model 5th wheel and can comment on the hitch height? I have a 2014 Ram 2500 CCSB 4x4. Thank you.

ronb707 · 06-22-2014, 10:36 AM

We have the 8280. Are you asking for the pin height from the ground on the RV, or are you asking about the height of the hitch in the bed of the truck?

By the way, we too are big fans of the 8280. Love the floor plan.

axg1040 · 06-22-2014, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronb707

We have the 8280. Are you asking for the pin height from the ground on the RV, or are you asking about the height of the hitch in the bed of the truck?

By the way, we too are big fans of the 8280. Love the floor plan.

Sorry...newbie here. I am trying to figure out if I will have an issue with the height of the bottom of the 5th wheel to the top of of my bed rail. I do not have a 5th wheel hitch yet. I thought I read somewhere that the bottom of the 5th wheel bedroom overhang is 59 inches when on level ground. Just trying to figure out if I will end up having 6 inches of clearance from the bottom of the RV to the top of my bed rail when I hook up. There are no local units I can check out. Thanks.

ronb707 · 06-22-2014, 02:07 PM

For what it's worth, ground to top of my bed is 55 3/4" (actually 55" but I added a cover over the bed and the rail for it sticks up that last 3/4"). Can't recall exactly my measurement between bed rail and underside of RV but it is about 5 1/2 inches. When towing on the level I imagine the nose of my RV is slightly up. Never confirmed this, but will do next time I have a chance. From what I read, 6" is about the least you want to tow with between bed rail and bottom of RV.

Prior to getting my unit I went to the dealer. I measured his 8280. The ground was level and the RV appeared to be level as well (didn't bring my own level to verify that). His measured 62 1/2" from underside of overhang to the ground.

I can't get a good measurement off my unit for you because even though the trailer sets level in all directions, it is on a slight incline from front to back. That would throw any measurement I made off as it would be shorter than if on level ground.

I believe most/all 5th wheel hitches have a vertical up/down adjustment to put a safe distance between bed rail and RV. However, this will raise the nose of the RV. It seems like the newer trucks with the higher bed rails is creating a challenge to those trying to tow a 5th wheel level.

As far as being a Newbie welcome to the club! I have only been RVing for about a year.

Mike101 · 06-23-2014, 04:18 PM

I have an 8280WS and 2014 Ram 2500 crew cab SLT. I hooked up the first time and the front was too high. So I dropped the hitch one hole down rides about 80% level and is about 5 1/2 inch rails to under 5 ver.. I wish I could lift up the trailer an inch higher but cost is crazy. Drove 6 hours from Ottawa to Utica and 6 back. No issues. May wear down back tires over time but not quick so not worried. I also have 20 inch tires so if I ever go down to 18's I would be more level. I think

MikeInRaleigh · 06-24-2014, 03:57 PM

I have a 2010 8280WS and tow with a 2013 F350 shortbed crewcab 4wd. The spec on the rail height is 58 -60 inches. The best I can do with adjusting the hitch and the pin box to achieve 6 inches clearance, the trailer is still about 3" out of level. You may do a little better with the 3/4 ton truck, as you may get a little more sag under load. I've fretted about it a lot, and determined that when loaded for travel, there is about 600 lb more weight on the rear axle than the front. I don't know how much of that is due to the out of level vs. just the rear kitchen model. The good news is that both axles are under the axle spec and well below the tire spec. I also monitor the tire pressure with a TPMS and the temperature with a hand held infared thermometer and have seen no significant difference in temperature or pressure front to rear. All temps running around 105 to 114 at 90 ambient. Actually there was more difference sunny side to shady side than front to rear. I don't think tire wear will be a factor either. I've been towing 7 or 8 thousand miles a year for 2 years, and see no noticeable tire wear. I'll change the tires next year just because of age, and will go up to D rating just for safety margin. All that being said, there was a post a couple of weeks or so ago from a guy who got a bolt on lift kit for the 8280WS from Rockwood for about $150. I'm still thinking about getting it just for aesthetics! However, installation is not something I would take on, so total cost would be at best several hundred dollars.

ronb707 · 06-24-2014, 08:02 PM

Found a link to owner lifting a 8289 with a 3" lift kit supplied by Dexter/ Rockwood:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...9ws-46467.html

Good link within that thread with pics of what it looks like and how to do it:

http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/...x_Lift_Kit.pdf

Installing it on 8280 should be the same, because they are the same axles and mounts (at least look similar to my 8280). You may not want to think about having to modify or work on a new RV already but it at least gives you the option later on. Try it stock for a while and see what you think.

MikeInRaleigh · 06-25-2014, 04:45 AM

Unless they have changed, the 8280WS has Alko axles, not Dexter.

ronb707 · 06-25-2014, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeInRaleigh

Unless they have changed, the 8280WS has Alko axles, not Dexter.

I received a complete Dexter Axle manual with my new 8280 and have the EZ lube bearings. That's why I feel I have the Dexter axle. According to the manual, each axle since 2001 will have the serial # and the name DEXTER on the rear side of the axle beam.

John R. Beatty · 06-25-2014, 03:29 PM

I have a 2014 ram hd with the same trainer. Got the dexter 3 inch lift kit. Works great. Have about 6 inches of clearance on bed rails, I need to lower my hitch a hole I think. Almost level tho with out lowering hitch. Have pulled the trailer about 1600 miles with this set up. I did not engage the revolution hitch. Have had no problems.

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John R. Beatty · 06-25-2014, 03:48 PM

Oh ,and the extra clearance you get with the lift kit between the tires and trailer makes me feel a lot better. Wasn't that much before. Was a little expensive for lift kit and instillation , but less than 500.00. Bucks. Well worth it. Pulls like it s not even there.

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bob caldwell · 03-13-2015, 07:16 PM

here's the Redneck way.....just removed a 16000 lil-rocker and in stalled a pullright superglide on rails that held reese hitch. Now the rest of the story......new hitch 5" taller. moved pin-box to its highest setting, this also is a 8280 trailer, and checked for level by hooking up and moying out onto street. now, it's only 3" from level, so, down with back of truck. it has a factory tow setup and had 5" spacer blocks ontop of rear axle and they had to go. down to the metal yard for 3" heavy wall square tubing and a trip to a freinds to borrow a 9/16 die to chase u-bolt threads and now we be 1/2" nose high on trailer and truck just barely nose high. Saturday will be level the truck day.......10 bucks and a little labor and alls well..

bob caldwell · 03-13-2015, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

here's the Redneck way.....just removed a 16000 lil-rocker and in stalled a pullright superglide on rails that held reese hitch. Now the rest of the story......new hitch 5" taller. moved pin-box to its highest setting, this also is a 8280 trailer, and checked for level by hooking up and moying out onto street. now, it's only 3" from level, so, down with back of truck. it has a factory tow setup and had 5" spacer blocks ontop of rear axle and they had to go. down to the metal yard for 3" heavy wall square tubing and a trip to a freinds to borrow a 9/16 die to chase u-bolt threads and now we be 1/2" nose high on trailer and truck just barely nose high. Saturday will be level the truck day.......10 bucks and a little labor and alls well..

it must suck to be you

A little humor.

Fivealive · 03-14-2015, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronb707

For what it's worth, ground to top of my bed is 55 3/4" (actually 55" but I added a cover over the bed and the rail for it sticks up that last 3/4"). Can't recall exactly my measurement between bed rail and underside of RV but it is about 5 1/2 inches. When towing on the level I imagine the nose of my RV is slightly up. Never confirmed this, but will do next time I have a chance. From what I read, 6" is about the least you want to tow with between bed rail and bottom of RV.

Our 2015 F250 with 5th wheel prep measures 54" from the top of the bed rail to ground. My brother in law said the trucks with the prep package are lower. I don't think that is by design, the weight of the built in bed frame may lower it a bit. The hitch manufacturer recommends at least 6" bed clearance for normal use and 8-10" for off road.

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