Stressing over towing with my new 2011 3500HD

[bayoubengal]

Why you say? This new truck is so tall I am afraid I am not going to be able to tow level. It is a good 3-4 inches taller (about 57" high at tailgate) than my previous truck. I have a 2008 31rkle, which sits pretty low. When I backed up to the camper, the truck rails were even with the bootom of the camper. There doesn't seem to be any wiggle room. I haven't had the hitch installed yet, still breaking in. I may be worried over nothing, but it sure looks like there is going to be a problem. I understand my axles are already flipped, so I don't have that option.

Mike, I see you have a new 2011 3500HD, did you encounter any issues getting your rig level? Or did Forest River fix the issue with the rigs sitting so low in the newer models?

Please help me set my mind at ease and tell me all is not lost.

Stressing out
Vince

[Mike Clay]

I am running about 1/2 inch nose high with the trailer, sometimes a little more if i put more air in the trailair. My trailers pin weight is 2,500 and the truck will squat down 2 inches in fact hardly even touches the over load springs. When George and I were installing the hitch we hooked up to his 2007 trailer which has more pin weight then mine still 2 inches. I have a Reese 20k hitch and I did have to lower it one hole from where I had it with my 2008 Chevy. My 2011 has 18" tires on it and it does sit taller then my 08 did but I still have close to 7" clearance between the trailer and bed rails.

This pic was taken one week after I got my truck you can see how the trailer sits on it


Fully loaded on the way to the Yellowstone rally you can see the clearance between the trailer and bed rails

[Olbird]

Vince,

You can stop stressing out, I am sure Mike will respond also but when Mike and I installed his hitch it was at my house.
We backed his New 2011 truck up my 5th wheel just as normal, we found that truck drop down about two inches making the truck level and my trailer was about one high from front to back of the 5th wheel.
A little high in the front is not real bad I also run a little high when hooked to my truck.
If I remember correctly the clearance between the top his truck bed and bottom of the trailer was 7", we both have trail-air pin boxes.
I know Mike did adjust his 5th wheel hitch lower inside the new truck, you may also have to adjust the pin box but both these adjustment will cause the trailer to become lower to your trucks top bed rail.

[bayoubengal]

Thanks guys for the info. I do feel better about it now. I'll keep you posted when I get the hitch mounted and hook up the 5th wheel. I need to get the 500 miles of break-in before I mount the hitch, hopefully by the end of next week.

[Mike Clay]

Alls I can say its a very nice truck to tow with

[rlhedlund]

I need to get the 500 miles of break-in before I mount the hitch, hopefully by the end of next week.

That hitch doesn't weigh that much does it?

[bayoubengal]

No it doesn't but they have to connect it and probably pull it to try out. I can't get an appointment before then anyway.

[Travelers]

Mike,
What is the height of your hitch plate to the truck bed? I'm curious to see how compares to my Super Glide.

[Mike Clay]

Mike,
What is the height of your hitch plate to the truck bed? I'm curious to see how compares to my Super Glide.

15"

[Mike Clay]

Vince it was great talking to you today let me know if raising it a notch helped
This is how they cut my pin box and re welded the brace back in

Here it shows how the welding shop cut the pin box in the back for more clearance.

[bayoubengal]

Mike enjoyed the conversation as well. Thanks for the great pics. Will let you know if raising the hitch does the trick.

[bayoubengal]

Mike, It looks like raising the hitch gives me about 5 1/2" clearance from the top of my bed rails. I think that will be good enough. The back of the hitch looks like it will not have to be cut. Of course all of this was checked out on a level surface. We plan on leaving on the 8th for a short 2 week trip and I'll have a better idea of just how well it works.

[Mike Clay]

If you do not have a tonneau cover you should not hit the bed rails with the BACK of the pin box. Keep you eye on the 5 1/2" when coming out of a gas station or where you are going to have a dip on one side so you dont dent your truck.
Here is a pic with the hitch lowered one inch lower then it was on my 08 Silverado and I still have a lot of clearance (my pin box has been cut) truck and trailer almost at 90 degrees to each other

[bayoubengal]

I figure it will be close on dips. You have a lot more clearance with the back of your pinbox cut than I do.

[Mike Clay]

Yes there will be and I am planning on putting a tonneau cover on this truck will use a Bakflip since their rails only hang in 3/4" on each side.