Will The 5th wheel hitch rub on my tailgate?

Gary Sell · 08-12-2019, 02:56 PM

I just bought a new Ram 2500 4x4 diesel truck to pull my Jayco Eagle Ht. There is only about 4" of clearance above my tailgate. Is that enough, or shall I tow with the tailgate removed?

Mopar_Earl · 08-12-2019, 02:59 PM

Want no less than 6". 7 or 8 is better. I have over 6 and touched lightly before. I don't recall what I have but it's over 6" at the closest gap.

Earl

TxLoser · 08-12-2019, 03:02 PM

Agreed. 6 is a min. I’ve come centimeters close at 6. My current setup is 8 and that even came close. Removing the tailgate won’t help because you’ve still got the corners of the bed to deal with.

Gary Sell · 08-12-2019, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopar_Earl

Want no less than 6". 7 or 8 is better. I have over 6 and touched lightly before. I don't recall what I have but it's over 6" at the closest gap.

Earl

Thanks. Right now the rig is 2degrees higher in front. If I raise it more will it tow ok?

Gary Sell · 08-12-2019, 03:21 PM

Thanks. Right now the rig is 2 degrees higher in front. If I raise it more will it tow ok?

Rckcrwlr · 08-12-2019, 04:43 PM

That’s the problem with the new trucks, they are lifted so high that you run into that issue. My 3500 Denali allows for adjustment. I’m at 7” and on odd angles it gets close.

Gary Sell · 08-12-2019, 04:56 PM

Thanks for your reply. Is it a problem with the 5th wheel higher in the front. How does it tow? Does this put a lot of pressure on the rear axle? I can raise mine so there is 7” of clearance, but the rig will be 3degrees higher in front.

Mopar_Earl · 08-12-2019, 05:33 PM

You can use the lower holes in the trailer spring hangers to get some more height. If the trailer had 15" wheels, you can upgrade to 16" to increase height. You can add the Lippert correct track alignment kit. I believe that will raise the trailer 2".

It's best to tow level, but bed clearance is important. Damage to your truck and trailer often or be pin high. I'd take pin high.

Earl

Gary Sell · 08-12-2019, 05:35 PM

Thanks for your reply. I will get it fixed before our next trip

Jim Smyth · 08-12-2019, 06:11 PM

I have gone though the same thing your asking about. Dropped 5er to the lowest hole in the spring hanger. Gained 1.5". Added Lippert Correct track system along with wet bolts. Gained 2". Still riding high and was thinking about changing from 15" tires to 16" tires however 2 Jayco dealers never called me back with prices so I fugure they dont need my business. So I found through another forum a lowering kit for my rear springs on my F350. I dropped it down 1" on the tow vehicle rear shackles and now have 6" plus all the way around the bed and closer to level. I have bottomed out a few times with associated dents on the underside so you do need 6+ inches to be safe.

TxLoser · 08-12-2019, 06:43 PM

I ran my eagle HT nose high for a couple years and thousands of miles. No issues. Tires all wore the same, and towed fine. 6” of clearance with a Chevy 2500. Not sure if the Rams sit higher.

I did have my springs moved to the lower holes, but kept the 15” wheels/tires.

Gary Sell · 08-12-2019, 07:04 PM

This is good news!! I’m broke after buying the Ram and the last thing I want to do is spend more money. Thanks

Gary Sell · 08-12-2019, 07:05 PM

Did you ever notice what degree high you ran the nose?

TxLoser · 08-12-2019, 07:30 PM

No, I don’t recall the number. Only that the front was a number of inches higher than the rear.

Gary Sell · 08-12-2019, 07:34 PM

Thanks. You’ve been a big help

norteno · 08-12-2019, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Sell

I just bought a new Ram 2500 4x4 diesel truck to pull my Jayco Eagle Ht. There is only about 4" of clearance above my tailgate. Is that enough, or shall I tow with the tailgate removed?

Yes, it will bottom out on your tailgate. Ask me how I know!

I have a 2019 Eagle HTX 26BHX with 16" wheels and a 2018 RAM 2500. I was level with my Anderson in the middle position. When backing by trailer up onto my driveway I somehow bottomed out on the tailgate and dented it causing the tailgate handle to pop out. Everything still works, but I will forever have a slightly dented tailgate and popped out latch. A few weeks later I pulled up to a guy with the same truck as mine and his was dented the exact same way but a lot worse. I've since moved my Anderson to the top position and pull slightly nose high.

Gary Sell · 08-13-2019, 07:46 AM

Thanks for your response. I’m glad I asked. I have gotten several responses just like yours. I have decided to raise my rig to give me 7 inch clearance in tow it knows up. This Jayco chat room is great! I have learned a lot.

Tgoranso · 08-21-2019, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Sell

Thanks for your response. I’m glad I asked. I have gotten several responses just like yours. I have decided to raise my rig to give me 7 inch clearance in tow it knows up. This Jayco chat room is great! I have learned a lot.

I run a 2015 F350 with 6 inch lift and 37 inch tires. I use an Andersen goosehitch set up. I keep the ball on the lowest setting and have the ball mount spun forward. I get two fists and thumb knuckle of clearance, about 8 inches. I'm slightly nose high but it evens out when the truck sags and i add firewood and weight in the back. I have airbags and found it rides best at 30lbs. My bed height is 61 inches from the ground if that helps. My buddy runs a chevy with the same set up. Leaving a gas station he caught the rear lip of the 5th hitch on his bed rail and it pulled up the plastic cap. He has a 6ft box. IMO i would say 5 inches will work if your flat, 6 inches is better and you can take small dips, and 7-8 inches will allow you to make a good incline or dip.

Just drive smart, watch you dips and inclines, and you'll be ok at 5 inches.

Before anyone posts, yes i have a JAYCO, i have a 2018 Octane 260 Toy Hauler i use for camping too, we also have the 2020 Momentum as seen in the PIC (: but i love this Jayco sight, such great knowledge is always shared.

tomdeoca · 08-21-2019, 02:34 PM

Yes, and not only will it rub but it will crack the fiberglass on the fw. Ran into this earlier this year, conincidently as I was pulling my fw into the fiberglass shop for some other repair work. You really gotta pay attention to steep driveway approaches as that is what got me. I don't think I have ever heard a more sickening sight and sound as I watched and listened to the fiberglass cracking as it was butting up against the bed rails of my truck. Yikes I felt sick. Fortunately no damage to the sheet metal on the truck. That cost a couple thou to repair. I probably had 4 to 5 inches of clearance and never had an issue until that time. I now adjusted the hitch 2 inches higher which provides 6 to 7 inches of clearance but even with that I will always pay attention to those steep entrance grades and steer clear if they look too steep. Good luck.

Mopar_Earl · 08-21-2019, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Sell

Thanks for your response. I’m glad I asked. I have gotten several responses just like yours. I have decided to raise my rig to give me 7 inch clearance in tow it knows up. This Jayco chat room is great! I have learned a lot.

Very wise choice! Better to be pin high than destroy the truck and trailer.

Earl

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