5er broke out rear window of TV

sasch · 09-25-2019, 08:37 AM

Recently camping in a rustic campground - backing up the camper preparing to pull off the lot and "POW" the camper Right front broke out the passenger section of the 3 section rear window of my TV. Here is what I have - 2018 Ram 1500 Short box, 2018 28' Rockwood 2440WS, Revolution hitch pin on the camper with Curt wedge, Curt A16 hitch on the truck positioned correctly per Curt, camper at 45 to 60 degrees when it broke, lot was not level and had dips, also broke the rear brake light lens but no body damage, Same specs on my 2015 Ram TV with over 5000 miles in towing and 800 mile towing on this 2018 TV and no prior problems, An RV dealer has also confirmed correct installation and hitch position. At this point I'm left with assuming I had the "perfect storm" for the accident but concerned pulling into a gas station with a raised entrance could create the same situation. Does anyone have any idea's. And by the way the rear window replacement was $750 and backup light lens $75.

B and B · 09-25-2019, 08:47 AM

Hello,

I would check your hitch position just to make sure it is not to far forward. Using revolution or sidewinder with 3 fifth wheels I have never had a clearance issue with either the Rookwood, Heartland Bighorn or Heartand Landmark. Been on some pretty tight sites of varying terrain as well.

Brian

sasch · 09-25-2019, 09:02 AM

Thank you Brian - At first the RV dealer thought it was too far forward and then called Curt and they confirmed the 29" from rear truck bed to rear rail was spot on. I, as well, have been towing with these specs from MI to MX for 3 years and never had a clearance issue?

5picker · 09-25-2019, 09:45 AM

When you say your Ram has a 'short box' do you have the 5.5' bed or the 6.5' bed?

I've not seen clearance issues using a Revolution on a 6.5' bed but have seen some 5.5' clearances that were awfully close.

Lins · 09-25-2019, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

When you say your Ram has a 'short box' do you have the 5.5' bed or the 6.5' bed?

I've not seen clearance issues using a Revolution on a 6.5' bed but have seen some 5.5' clearances that were awfully close.

x2! I'm curious if he had the longer bed prior.

upflying · 09-25-2019, 10:01 AM

Is the 2440WS a "half ton towable"?

sasch · 09-25-2019, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

When you say your Ram has a 'short box' do you have the 5.5' bed or the 6.5' bed?

I've not seen clearance issues using a Revolution on a 6.5' bed but have seen some 5.5' clearances that were awfully close.

I thought the bed was 5'7" but it could be 5'5".

sasch · 09-25-2019, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lins

x2! I'm curious if he had the longer bed prior.

Both 2015 and 2018 set ups were 5'7" beds

sasch · 09-25-2019, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upflying

Is the 2440WS a "half ton towable"?

Yes the 2040WS @ prox 7000#'s is 1/2 ton towable and the Ram Eco Diesel has done a great job here.

5picker · 09-25-2019, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasch

Thank you Brian - At first the RV dealer thought it was too far forward and then called Curt and they confirmed the 29" from rear truck bed to rear rail was spot on. I, as well, have been towing with these specs from MI to MX for 3 years and never had a clearance issue?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasch

I thought the bed was 5'7" but it could be 5'5".

Regardless... 29" from the rear of bed to REAR RAIL as you stated earlier is awfully close the cab.

What does that make the front rail... about 15" from the cab?

frank4711 · 09-25-2019, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upflying

Is the 2440WS a "half ton towable"?

SPECIFICATIONS
Hitch Weight:1165 lb.UVW7149 lb.... Sure is ... my 1/2 ton would own it

AlaskaErik · 09-25-2019, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank4711

SPECIFICATIONS
Hitch Weight:1165 lb.UVW7149 lb.... Sure is ... my 1/2 ton would own it

My 2016 1500 wouldn't have, but I could probably do it with my new one, which has a 1910 lb payload capacity.

tooclose · 09-25-2019, 01:15 PM

I have a 2018 3720 Montana I have broken two of these cheap tempered windows. One from a small stone from a lawnmower, the other from going down the road. Forget the factory replacement. they are too expensive. buy a sheet of colored lexan and cut it to size your self. they are just stuck on with lap sealant My total cost was around $100 per window instead of the $800. My total time was about two hours. I ordered the lexan on line. It is about 1000 times stronger than the glass giving you added protection. Don't polish it though it does scratch. Just a little water cleanup.

Handydc · 09-25-2019, 02:05 PM

My windjammer has never broken my rear window.

tomkatb · 09-25-2019, 02:18 PM

All fifth wheels can hit the window.

The question is where.

Early on the DW and I visited the parking lot to test it out.

And we are very careful parking.

If you turn a lot more than 45 degrees it is hard on the frame and tires.

Photo Lab · 09-25-2019, 06:53 PM

Unfortunately, I've been there, and done that!

Side windows and other glass on the RV; I would respectfully suggest that replacement of the windows would best be done using a local glass shop. Broke one on my last fiver with the lawn mower. Priced a new one from the manufacturer, and it was priced similarly to a largeish windshield! Took the frame to a glass shop, and the man there measured, and ordered a correct tint, tempered replacement, and installed it in the frame, Cost about $50. Took about 4 days over all. Nice folks.
Lexan polycarbonate surely has its applications, and is available in a scratch resistant grade, also in a couple of different tints and several colors.

Back to the OP's posting, the center of the hitch, when in the towing position should be directly over the rear axle. Doesn't matter the bed length, you want the load center as close to directly over the axle as possible. As an aside, late model Ford SD pickups all have the bed bolts (which go in the frame) equally spaced in the over axle position, and are exactly the right spacing for typical hitch rails. You do need special mounting spacers, and need to enlarge the holes where the bolts go, in order to accommodate the 14mm bed bolts. I'm thinking that Ram and GM pickups have the same general setup. I also busted out the back glass on my new short bed pickup, in a similar situation, when I managed to forget to slide the hitch to the rear position! I think the new back window was about $200 installed by a local body shop.

DouglasReid · 09-25-2019, 10:04 PM

Obviously you need to be able to get more cab clearance when maneubering with that VERY short bed.

My suggestion is to retain the Reese Revolution and change the 5th Wheel hitch to a slider. This will put the 5er well clear of your cab when maneuvering.

It is this or a new truck with a 6.5' bed. The slider is the least expensive solution!

PS, we had clearance issues even with a 6.5' bed with our camper until we changed the pin box to a Reese Sidewinder. But in your case you have a bed even 1' shorter than ours.

**dcheatwood** · 10-01-2019, 07:50 PM

Is the revolution hitch activated or still locked out. Mine was locked out on delivery. I had to tell them I wanted it activated.

5picker · 10-01-2019, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

Is the revolution hitch activated or still locked out. Mine was locked out on delivery. I had to tell them I wanted it activated.

The OP said in the first post they are using a Curt wedge. If the Revolution was still locked and they were using a wedge, something would bust on the hitch or pin box when they tried to tow and make a turn. There would be no pivot point.

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