Hitch height

[wilsonba]

So I purchased a 2011 Eagle 351 RLTS. It’s our first 5er, always had bumper pulls. It’s in Arizona right now and I’m in Canada. My question is: does anyone know what the height is of the fifth wheel pin when the trailer is sitting level? I’m in the process of getting a hitch installed in my GMC 2500 standard box (2024) and the truck seems to sit plenty high. I want to be close to the right clearances before I make the trip down there to move it a short distance to my winter site. The truck has the puck system and I’m going with a Curt hitch.

 

[Stan&Sharon]

Congratulations on your purchase and Welcome to Jayco Owner's Forum from New Hampshire.

2011 5th wheel hitch height was generally set to match 2011 era trucks. In these later years, the truck bed height has risen dramatically (due in large part to how vehicle CAFE standards have been changing). Bottom line, a 2011 5th wheel is going to travel 'nose high' towed by a modern truck.

Your options are a) to raise the 5th wheel's overall height (via suspension techniques), b) get an older truck with lower bed height, c) leave it as it is and closely monitor your rear tire and suspension conditions.

Oh, also be aware 2011 5th wheel campers had front corners that were a little more 'pointy'. These points can reach the cab (and dent it) during a more gentle turn than today's 5th wheel campers that have softened corners. You may want your travel partner walking alongside your truck as you turn while backing up, to make sure, and warn you before you possibly damage your cab... or get a sliding hitch.

Here is a link to 2011 Jayco 5th Wheel Owner's Manual download.

 

[Camp CA]

Welcome to the forum and contratulations on your new fifth wheel trailer!!

The trailer cab should be 5 1/2 inches miniumum clearance between the bottom of the trailer cab and truck bed rail (per Curt hitch installationinstructions). Good news is the Curt hitch is adjustable from 13 to 17 inch, from the pickup bed to the top of its skid. plate. Adjustment is attained by adjusting the mid-section up or down, in relation to the legs, in 2" increments. So you have plenty of adjustment. I had a Q24 on my F350 4x2 with a puck system and found it had plenty of ajustment.

 

[wilsonba]

Thank you for the replies. I am getting the Curt manual sliding hitch also. Truck dealers all told me I do not need a sliding hitch but I had already decided that it’s better to be safe than sorry. As far as I know I’m only moving 5er three blocks to a different site and less than 5 miles to storage in the off season. Slow and easy.
Thanks again.

 

[Camp CA]

Try to avoid roads with a big dip since they can bottom out the fifth wheel trailer and damage your truck bed rail.