5th wheel hitches

[68PowerWagon]

I REALLY like the B&W Patriot hitch but noticed it only has 3" of height adjustment. How concerned should I be about this? Attached is a picture of a trailer I am considering buying & it just so happens to be pictures with a 2500 4X4 like mine. To me this trailer looks to be way too high in the front. Would this be more of a trailer axle adjustment over a Pin Box or hitch adjustment? By the way, if you did not notice, I am new to pulling 5th wheel campers. Pulled many other things, with many other vehicles, but just not this kind of set up.

 

[Blue2500CC]

While I don’t have a ton of 5r knowledge, I believe I have enough knowledge to help a little since a buddy owns a 5r. And I have looked into them a little myself as well.

From my understanding, it is a combination of the 5r hitch and pin box adjustment, plus the possibility of an axle adjustment.

The 5r/ pin box adjustment is more so to make sure you have the proper bed rail clearance for when on uneven ground. Now these may also help level the rig.

If the 5r hitch/ pin box adjustment doesn’t result in the rig being close to level, an axle adjustment may be needed.

Hopefully one with a little more 5r knowledge will be along, as I am always interested in learning more!!!

My buddy has been very happy with his PullRite auto slider in his ‘13 Ram 2500 MCRB.

Good luck!!!

 

[68PowerWagon]

^^^^ I think you are right on all of that. I am sure this is just a company truck that pulls trailers around in the yard but from the way it looks the hitch & pin box are at a good height. I think the rule of thumb is 6-8" of clearance on the bed rails. So if I did buy a camper like this it would need to be adjusted at the axles.
Thanks for the response.

 

[NewBlackDak]

There are a couple way to raise the trailer at the axles. Many have 2-3 shackle adjustment points. Installing one of the MORRyde shackle equalizers is usually good for a couple inches, and makes for a much better ride.


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[68PowerWagon]

I think I am going to move forward with the B&W Patriot. Out of 77 reviews it only had 1 at 2 stars & that guy was only complaining that it was too heavy. Everybody says it's built like a tank so I imagine it would be heavy.

 

[mtofell]

I love my B/W slider hitch. It's a heavy SOB but performance and quality wise it's been great.

The angle of that picture really prevents you from seeing how the setup is. You need a shot straight from the side. Modern trucks are taller and the 5th wheel manufactures are just now catching up. My 2016 5th resulted in 8"+ rail clearance with my 2014 2500 4X4 but the trailer does ride a couple inches nose high. What year is the trailer you are looking at?

My rail clearance hasn't been a problem but I have dragged the ass end of the trailer a few times and ripped the jacks off. I have since put heavy duty rollers on the back and it's helped.

It turns out raising trailers is quite a job. Mine already has the Morryde thing and the axles are on top. I could gain a couple inches with blocks but most people who seem to know say anything more than that isn't a good idea. If you need more than that your only option is to build a sub-frame which is a pretty in depth fabricating job. Probably be at least a couple thousand dollars.

 

[68PowerWagon]

That particular trailer is a 2012 but I am looking at several others between 2004-2015. My wife is really interested in getting one. I think it is a lot of money for something we probably will only use 8-10 times a year at most.
What kind of heavy duty rollers did you get? I would like to find a way to buy rollers that they use on dumpster roll offs. Those would be really heavy duty.
Yeah I have noticed if you have to go higher than 2-3" you start taking the risk of damaging the suspension & start messing with the center of gravity.

 

[stevenP]

Well how much do you want to spend? If you want air ride, and some other features it can be salty. I have had two fiver setups in my RAM. Started off with a basic reese 16K, it was mostly heavy stamped sheet steel, after a while it kinda was lose fitting and sloppy. Got an american made CURT 20k system now, and it is very heavy steel, and castings. It does have 3 sets of height adjustment holes, each level being 2" increments. So its only got 6" total. I think this about average for height adjustments. Maybe some of the 2k plus hitches might have more, but I will never find out.

Rule of thumb is you should be level with the fiver attached to the truck.

 

[mtofell]

That particular trailer is a 2012 but I am looking at several others between 2004-2015. My wife is really interested in getting one. I think it is a lot of money for something we probably will only use 8-10 times a year at most.
What kind of heavy duty rollers did you get? I would like to find a way to buy rollers that they use on dumpster roll offs. Those would be really heavy duty.
Yeah I have noticed if you have to go higher than 2-3" you start taking the risk of damaging the suspension & start messing with the center of gravity.

Here are the rollers I got:

https://www.etrailer.com/Skid-Wheel...i0HCvp9s-XmN2dYSAxpFC2hoPxZN48hBoCjBYQAvD_BwE

Definitely stay away from the swivel type - they are a lot taller and will just fold over in gravel or if they just don't get spun around in time.

I think you will find as you go back in age the 5th wheels become somewhat incompatible with newer trucks due to the bed heights increasing. I know I see a lot of newer trucks with older 5th wheels that are very nose high. In a lot of cases the back end dragging isn't a problem but mine is decently long @ 35' and is just built really close to the ground.

 

[Blue2500CC]

Our friends is an ‘11 Puma, 295 maybe... It has the rear bunk room w/ slide and rear entry door. I think he said it’s 32’ or 33’ oal.

To get it level, and partly due to his Ram Box, his uncle welded steel tube (believe it’s 2x6) to the frame, and re-welded the spring hangers on.

Hasn’t had any issues with the rig at all. Only downside is portable steps may be needed to reach the rigs first step. And using the outdoor kitchen is interesting depending on the camp site.

 

[NewBlackDak]

Our friends is an ‘11 Puma, 295 maybe... It has the rear bunk room w/ slide and rear entry door. I think he said it’s 32’ or 33’ oal.

To get it level, and partly due to his Ram Box, his uncle welded steel tube (believe it’s 2x6) to the frame, and re-welded the spring hangers on.

Hasn’t had any issues with the rig at all. Only downside is portable steps may be needed to reach the rigs first step. And using the outdoor kitchen is interesting depending on the camp site.

We installed Torklift Glowsteps to take care of it. They’re much sturdier than the crappy stamped steel steps that most rigs come with. Went from the 3 step to 4(A8004).


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[Blue2500CC]

We installed Torklift Glowsteps to take care of it. They’re much sturdier than the crappy stamped steel steps that most rigs come with. Went from the 3 step to 4(A8004).


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I’m guessing those are like the new, hinged steps that some rigs are coming with.

I think another brand is moryde (so).

I have heard good things about that style step. I probably won’t install them in our current rig, but definitely interested in a set for or next rig when that time comes.

 

[NewBlackDak]

I’m guessing those are like the new, hinged steps that some rigs are coming with.

I think another brand is moryde (so).

I have heard good things about that style step. I probably won’t install them in our current rig, but definitely interested in a set for or next rig when that time comes.

They’re a little different. They still fit in the original space under the door, but you can adjust the angle and drop based on your current needs. We really wanted the MORRyde’s, but realized we would never be able to get the steps down when parked next to our house.


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[Blue2500CC]

They’re a little different. They still fit in the original space under the door, but you can adjust the angle and drop based on your current needs. We really wanted the MORRyde’s, but realized we would never be able to get the steps down when parked next to our house.


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TY for the info!!!

I’ll keep them in mind when we get our next rig.