Tow Rig Suggestion Request - New Owner

[RetiredGuy]

Greetings,
I have just purchased a "new"Jayco Eagle HT 24.5CKTS.
Had a line on a 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 HD, but the measurement
at the tailgate was 58.5 inches. Not doable with the 60" ground to nose
clearance of my Eagle HT. Am now finding most all 3/4 ton trucks are too high
to achieve level towing with a 6" box to trailer minimum clearance.
So far, the only truck that fits is a Chev Silverado 1500 LT.
5.3L V8 6 speed auto with the tow package.
Planning on a Pullrite 2700 sliding hitch.
Is there a better truck that'll meet this box height / 6" box to trailer
clearance requirement? Thanks for any assistance!
RetiredGuy

[SkyBound]

I wouldn't get a half ton to pull a fifth wheel just because the bed height works. It will fall short in many other categories making it not a good choice.

There are things you can do to help get a lower bed height. Buy a 2WD instead of a 4WD if you don't need it, reduce the amount of rear end lift by swapping out the factory lift block with a shorter one, or raise the ride height of the trailer by flipping the axles.

The newer trucks tend to sit taller than the older ones, so maybe look at an older model.

[PMC]

The new HT should have adjustable shackles and can be raised. If you can get a couple inches out of that and or flip the axles along with the couple inches of drop you'll get on the truck, you should be fine.

[oh355mbqs]

Don't forget the 2 easy ones, the truck is going to squat when you hitch to the camper gaining you some room. The other is the camper not being level, I understand that it is supposed to be "level", but if it is out only 1 or 2 inches over that length, to me it is still level.

[Chiggins]

Also you can upgrade tires and wheels to get additional height. I would look at height increases on the camper instead of downgrading truck to met the height of the stock trailer.

[triplebvalp]

Originally Posted by RetiredGuy

Greetings,
I have just purchased a "new"Jayco Eagle HT 24.5CKTS.
Had a line on a 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 HD, but the measurement
at the tailgate was 58.5 inches. Not doable with the 60" ground to nose
clearance of my Eagle HT. Am now finding most all 3/4 ton trucks are too high
to achieve level towing with a 6" box to trailer minimum clearance.
So far, the only truck that fits is a Chev Silverado 1500 LT.
5.3L V8 6 speed auto with the tow package.
Planning on a Pullrite 2700 sliding hitch.
Is there a better truck that'll meet this box height / 6" box to trailer
clearance requirement? Thanks for any assistance!
RetiredGuy

RetiredGuy, not certain if there is a height difference in a 2015 and 2017 GMC/Chevy 2500HD but, I tow a 2017 Eagle HT 27.5rkds with a 2015 2500HD. I have about 5.5" of clearance. The pin box is adjusted up as far as it will go and my FW hitch is down as far as it will go. I also moved the FW 's springs to the bottom hole on the shackles. I still run somewhat nose high.

[RetiredGuy]

Good Morning triplebvalp,
Thank You for the response.
I have a few follow up questions, if you wouldn't mind:
How "tall" is your truck bed? Ground to top of box at tailgate.
What kind of pin box and hitch are you using?
When you moved the springs to the bottom hole of the shackles,
did you get an equal lift at the pin, or did the suspension absorb some of the lift? i.e. two inch lift at the shackles provided a two inch lift at the pin box?
Thank You for your assistance!
RetiredGuy

[triplebvalp]

Originally Posted by RetiredGuy

Good Morning triplebvalp,
Thank You for the response.
I have a few follow up questions, if you wouldn't mind:
How "tall" is your truck bed? Ground to top of box at tailgate.
What kind of pin box and hitch are you using?
When you moved the springs to the bottom hole of the shackles,
did you get an equal lift at the pin, or did the suspension absorb some of the lift? i.e. two inch lift at the shackles provided a two inch lift at the pin box?
Thank You for your assistance!
RetiredGuy

RetiredGuy,
1. 58" at top of tailgate. 37" from ground to bed.
2. Morryde cushioned pin box. Reese 16K Titan hitch on Reese round tube slider.
3. I don't recall the actual before and after measurements I don't believe it was 1:1 though.
Just a little more info for you ... my Eagle HT 27.5RKDS came with 15" tires/wheels. My truck came with 20" tires/wheels.
The pin box bottom plate height, when the FW is unhooked and level is 48.75".

[triplebvalp]

RetiredGuy, here's a profile pic of our rig:

[RetiredGuy]

Thank You triplebvalp

Greetings again,
Thank You for your response and picture.
Looks like a great rig. We are trying to get there as well.

One main concern I still have is the box to nose clearance.
We have recently completed a side yard access driveway with a gravel pad for the trailer. Sewer, water, and power are in. No storage fee and no dump fee. Yay!

I am concerned that when the trailer levels out on the gravel pad, the nose may “pinch” down onto the tailgate / box while the truck remains on the downslope. It’s a 2.5-foot rise over 25 feet. Not unusually steep, but… Any uneven slope experiences?

Bed height is 35”. Box height is 21”.
Planning on a Reese Titan 16k hitch. 14 to 18 inch height adjustment.
Reese Revolution pin box.
Pin height is 48 off ground.
Morryde CRE 3000 trailer suspension.
16 “tires on the trailer.
18” tires on the truck.
Hoping to get a 2 inch “squat” on the truck when trailer is hitched.
According to Jayco, the nose height at level is 60”.
That should get me 4 inch box clearance with an added 2 after the shackle lift…I hope.

Your pic shows a slight lift at the nose.
Is your 5.5” clearance measurement at the tailgate?

Your input is greatly appreciated. Thank You!
RetiredGuy

[triplebvalp]

No problem ReiredGuy with the questions. I just measured the nose height, un-hooked and level, right at 60". I don't think your going to have an issue with the "nose pinch" you refer to. My parking area, before I had it formed and poured, had about 1.5' of rise for about 4'. Never was an issue or concern. What you may have to pay attention to is when you un-hook. If the truck is on the downhill side of level pad, make sure you move the truck forward enough to clear the nose before you level the FW.

Yes, the 5.5" is at the top of the tailgate and about 6" at the nose. You should have a little more with the 16" tires/ wheels.

On a side note, we looked real hard at the Eagle HT 25.5 and almost bought it. I really wanted to be under 30' due to some NP site restrictions. Problem i found with the unit was the camp side slide had to be out in order to access the bathroom so we chose the 27.5. They were the same price at the time of purchase.

[triplebvalp]

I meant 24.5 CKTS.

[RetiredGuy]

This is excellent info for a nervous newbie. Suffice to say, we've blown the budget, but are all in anyway. The home pad is critical for our adventures.
Buying the truck tomorrow.
Hitch install next Saturday. Then we'll pick up the trailer and take it from there.
I'll send you a pic when completed.
Thanks again for your assistance!
RetiredGuy

[RetiredGuy]

BTW - We were concerned about the slide / bathroom thing, but our Jayco dealer said that one slide can be moved enough to get to the bathroom while on the road.
We tested it out and it worked fine.
Wow, there's lot's to consider and we're just getting started.
Please feel free to message me if you think of anything else.
Thanks! RG

[triplebvalp]

RetiredGuy, good luck with your decisions and your upcoming adventures. We love ours and have had a great time glamping since last June. BTW, yep I said "glamping" ... glamorous camping

And yes, you can move the slide out about a foot in order to get to the bathroom, unless you're "full figured"