Hello everyone,
I’m new to the forum and to the Jayco community. I have searched and found answers to several of my burning fifth wheel questions. I think this site is great and I’m excited to become a member of the Jayco family. Now on to my dilemma…
My wife and I have a North Point 377RLBH on order and hope to take delivery of it shortly after the New Year. Although we are not new to the RV community, we are new to the fifth wheel community. We currently have a 32’ Coleman TT (262BHS) with a 2005 GMC 2500 Duramax TV. Obviously we are in need of a new TV for the new 377 as my 2005 is only rated to tow 12,000 lbs.
So I have researched, read forums, test drove several trucks and researched some more – you get the picture… Anyways, I have decided on the 2017 Ford F-450. I think it might be too much truck for my needs – said no-one EVER!
I’m a firm believer in getting the truck that not only fits your current needs, but also will fit your future needs. The F-450 King Ranch I drove was by far the most comfortable truck I have ever driven. Not only comfortable, but the feeling of stout, solid and in command! Even more so than the F-350. The 2016 GMC 3500 Denali I drove was very close. But GM has, in my opinion, showed up to the party a bit too late and lacks some technology (adaptive cruise, blind spot info system, ambient lighting, rear air vents, etc) that I find is necessary, at least for me.
I recently contacted Jayco and they sent me some dimensions that I couldn’t find online – I’ll post them in a second post in case anyone wants to print them out.
My concern with the F-450 and the 377 combo is the pin height and the ability to travel down the road with the FW level. I have also read where the rear jacks on the 377 hang quite low to the ground, which means its critical to have the FW level once hitched to the TV.
The bed height from the ground to the floor of the bed in the F450 is 38”. (I went to my local dealer and measured both the 2017 F350 and 2017 F450, both are the same height, 38”) By the way, that is 3” higher than the 2016 models.
I plan on getting the Curt FW hitch which is adjustable from 13, 15 & 17”. Curt is the lowest profile FW hitch I could find. So with it set at 13” and the truck bed at 38”, I’ll be at 51” in the truck. Jayco says the pin height on the 377 from the factory is 48.25”. I’m thinking I may need to add the correct track from Lippert which adds 2” to the FW height. That would give me a pin height of 50.25”. I’m sure the truck will settle a couple inches when hitched up which will allow a bit of leeway for bed rail clearance adjustment and still have the FW level traveling down the road.
Am I figuring this correctly or am I out in left field?? Please, any thoughts will be appreciated. I haven’t ordered the F-450 yet, but plan to this week.