Pin weight/bed height

[20250019]

The stock height of my 19 2500 4x4 is 60” at the tailgate. The fifth wheel I’m looking at as a height of 61” to the bottom of the overhang. Anyone have a good idea how much the pin and hitch weight of 1500 lbs will compress the springs and lower the bed height?

 

[Frank4711]

just a guess 3-4 inches ....

 

[mtofell]

1500# will barely move your bed but I may be able to help.... Around 2014, for whatever reason, truck manufacturers started making the beds a few inches taller. 5th wheel manufacturers seem to catch up quickly so if your 5th wheel is newer you will likely be okay. If it's older you probably won't.

I measured my 2014 truck and 2016 5th wheel and feared the worst but it actually came out with 6-7" of bed rail clearance (although the 5th does ride 2-3" nose high).

What's the year and model of the prospective 5th wheel?

 

[20250019]

The 5th wheel is a new 2020 model. Cougar Half Ton 24RDS. The irony is most half tons can’t tow it because of the pin weight/payload capacity.

 

[Ratket]

When I had my 14 Ram 2500 Mega 6.4, “ Same suspension as ur truck” I put 1 ton “ 2k Pounds” worth of pellets in the bed. 1 pallet of wood pellets- and it didn’t even Level the truck, it was close but it still had some rake.

 

[mtofell]

The 5th wheel is a new 2020 model. Cougar Half Ton 24RDS. The irony is most half tons can’t tow it because of the pin weight/payload capacity.

Unless the whole "half-ton towable" thing changes the height, you might be okay. I remember worrying a bunch about mine and it worked out fine. My trailer does ride a couple inches low in the back and I'd love to lift it but it involves building a sub frame and removing the axles so I'm getting by. I ended up putting some really heavy duty rollers on the back for when the ass drags - usually when coming out of parking lot.

 

[20250019]

Thank you for that info. You had coil springs and not leaf springs on your 14? That’s more weight than I’ll have in the bed so that’s concerning.

The dealer has offered to put a hitch on the pin of the trailer (I don’t have a hitch in my truck yet) and lower it onto the bed of my truck to see exactly what I am looking at as far as clearances. It will give me a clear picture of what will need to be done to make the trailer work with my truck. The only solution I’ve found so far for what I’m guessing will be at least a 3 or 4 inch increase in clearance will be either a flat bed on the truck or lifting the trailer at the leaf spring mounts. Or maybe wait for the 2021 model and hope the manufacturer fixes this problem!

 

[superjoe83]

My 2019 grand design momentum 349m sits just about right on my '18 3500. Are the half ton 5th wheels shorter?

Rv

• superjoe83
• Nov 4, 2019

 

[20250019]

They might be but I’m not positive.

 

[mtofell]

You had coil springs and not leaf springs on your 14?

Yeah, I have the coils but I think they squat pretty similarly to the leafs on the 3500.

 

[Mountaineer83]

You will have more than 1500 lbs total weight most likely. Your 5th wheel hitch, depending on model will add to it, plus anything stored inside the front of the trailer and in the bottom storage wells will add to it as well.

Is that 1500 lbs actual weight or specs for the model from the website or brochure?

 

[2003F350]

Thank you for that info. You had coil springs and not leaf springs on your 14? That’s more weight than I’ll have in the bed so that’s concerning.

The dealer has offered to put a hitch on the pin of the trailer (I don’t have a hitch in my truck yet) and lower it onto the bed of my truck to see exactly what I am looking at as far as clearances. It will give me a clear picture of what will need to be done to make the trailer work with my truck. The only solution I’ve found so far for what I’m guessing will be at least a 3 or 4 inch increase in clearance will be either a flat bed on the truck or lifting the trailer at the leaf spring mounts. Or maybe wait for the 2021 model and hope the manufacturer fixes this problem!

I've never had a dealer offer to do this, so the fact that they're willing to means they're going above and beyond. I'd take them up on their offer, just make sure they also put wood under the hitch so it doesn't damage your bed.

That said, remember that both the pinbox on the camper AND the fifth wheel hitch have some measure of adjustment in them, both to make the camper sit closer to level AND to adjust this camper/box clearance issue.

On an old setup of mine (a 2003 F350 CCSB and a 34' fifth wheel), my original setup had PLENTY of room - 3-4 inches. Then I installed a toolbox in the bed, and tight corners with a flex became a concern - I almost crushed the toolbox. So I raised the hitch in the bed one set of holes - about an inch and a half. Due to the geometry of the trailer, it didn't really affect how it sat or pulled, but I gained the clearance I needed for the tool box.

Long story short, just because your unloaded heights are close doesn't mean the actual will be, and there are adjustments that can be done to make sure you have enough clearance while still keeping everything close to level.

 

[68PowerWagon]

I have probably closer to 2,000 pounds of pin weight & my 2016 2500 only squatted about 2-3". My 5vr is a 2006 so unfortunately I am nose high. My trailer has already had it's axles flipped & a MORryde suspension setup installed before I purchased it. The only way to gain any height would be to have a whole new setup welded in like mtofell stated. Or order new coils that are shorter. I have heard of a few guys doing this but I don't think I want to ever go that route.

 

[Ratket]

My 2014 had coils.

 

[20250019]

The pin weight is listed as 1430 and I’m leaning towards the Anderson hitch which is only 35lbs plus the gooseneck ball. 1500lbs is just a guess of what it will come out to.

I agree, shorter springs don’t seem to be the way to go. I’m anxious to take it in and finally see what I’m dealing with. This dealer has been very helpful and doing this will really earn my business. Great suggestion about the wood.

 

[TXTONKA]

Depending on the roads your towing on I'd consider some rear airbags to give you some more stability. I found with that much tongue weight the truck can show a habit of rear rebound bounce on any roads with a lot of heaves.