5th wheel towing when lowered

[dhuf]

Does anyone know if it is ok to tow a 5th wheel with the air suspension lowered. My 5w rides somewhat nose up but I can't lower the hitch between my 7" rail clearance. Dropping the rear a couple of inches would help level things out. If I can't, I guess I'll have to alter the suspension in the RV to lift it up instead. Thanks in advance!

 

[diymirage]

I think regardless of ride height it is imperative to have your towball be at the right height for the trailer

This may mean you need to buy a drawbar for you specific combination

 

[OC455]

I think regardless of ride height it is imperative to have your towball be at the right height for the trailer

This may mean you need to buy a drawbar for you specific combination

5th wheel hitch...

 

[diymirage]

5th wheel hitch...

He did say that, didn't he?
I guess he needs to see if the hitch can be adjusted up

I guess that's just another reason not to lower a truck then

 

[OC455]

Does anyone know if it is ok to tow a 5th wheel with the air suspension lowered. My 5w rides somewhat nose up but I can't lower the hitch between my 7" rail clearance. Dropping the rear a couple of inches would help level things out. If I can't, I guess I'll have to alter the suspension in the RV to lift it up instead. Thanks in advance!

I've got the same, you look at mine hitched up and it looks nose high a bit, but I'm also low as I can go on the 5th wheel hitch height as it can go. I don't know if you have any adjustment in the pin box height...

 

[dhuf]

Certainly don't want to go any higher on the hitch. My clearance to the rails is between 6 and 7 inches. I really don't want that any lower or we'll risk hitting. Can't adjust the kingpin.

Riding nose up angles the RV so if we use the receiver in the rear of the RV, it makes that lower to the ground. We had an issue with kayaks in a vertical rack.

I would consider driving with the air suspension in "alt height" but I don't want to damage the truck which auto levels itself when I hitch up.

 

[nlambert182]

6" is fairly typical and what most would shoot for, but if you're careful and mindful you can drop down to 5" and be ok most of the time. It would help to have pics of everything.

So your pinbox is already adjusted all the way to the top?

 

[18CrewDually]

Does anyone know if it is ok to tow a 5th wheel with the air suspension lowered. My 5w rides somewhat nose up but I can't lower the hitch between my 7" rail clearance. Dropping the rear a couple of inches would help level things out. If I can't, I guess I'll have to alter the suspension in the RV to lift it up instead. Thanks in advance!

Alot of people use the Alt Height feature for towing.
Ram mentioned it used for Trailer towing in the feature video below.
Goto 1:22 time mark for 2500/3500 explanation.

Air Suspension-How to use air ride suspension to adjust ride height on 2018 Ram Truck

You can adjust the air ride height of your suspension system. Make the most of your 2018 Ram Truck's air ride technologies. This video explains how to choose...

youtu.be

 

[dhuf]

Thanks for the video. Not 100% sure it means it works when towing though.

 

[18CrewDually]

Thanks for the video. Not 100% sure it means it works when towing though.

Do a Google search. Plenty of responses in RV and other RAM forums of owners doing exactly what you want to do and is why Ram called it Alternative Height .

 

[tjfdesmo]

That is exactly what it's there for.

 

[18CrewDually]

Thanks for the video. Not 100% sure it means it works when towing though.

Literally says in the owners manual it is for towing. I took this pic for you out of my paperback manual. Can't get any clearer.

 

[Jbinramona]

2016 3500 dually, Cummins 6.7 HO, Aisin tranny. Jayco Seismic 4013 toyhauler. 33,000lbs scaled weight. I use the alt height setting. Been full timing for almost 3 years. Thats my experience, take it as such.
Stay safe, enjoy the trip!