Height issues towing 5th wheel?

[Runaway_Dmax]

In process of upgrading to an "08" Silverado D/A EC/LB. It has 17" wheels/tires and must be 2 - 3 inches higher than my "03" Anyone had issues hooding up to your 5th wheel?

[camperboy]

When I swiched to a taller truck I was able to adjust the king pin on the camper and the hight of the hitch and still had enough clearance between the bed rails and the camper.

[Runaway_Dmax]

Had an opportunity to do a side x side comparision from my truck to the new ones. One had 16" tires and the other had 17". My truck sitting with everything out of it sits about 55.5 inches from top of tailgate to ground on flat level surface. The new trucks sit 57"/16" tires and 57.5" for the 17s. I opt'd for the 16's because of the cost issue down the road to replace them. I almost bought a 3500 off the lot, but decided to measure and I had it on as level of surface as I could and it measured a solid 60" at the tailgate to ground. I ended up ording the truck in the sig.

[tanker]

The end result in all trailers is that you want equal weight on both trailer axles when towing, so the trailer should be level when hitched. If not you will carry more weight on one axle, thus creating excessive heat on the tires and wheel bearings, not to mention poor braking.
Depending on the 5th wheel trailer you have, you should adjust the pin box for a level tow, but watch for clearance on your bed sides.
Just my suggestions for a safe operation.

[torque]

I had the factory install adjustable axles on my first 5th wheel in order to raise it enough to get the 6" clearance above the truck bed rails. My second 5th has Moryde axles which are adjustable. You could also "flip" the axles under the springs too. In any case, you need 6" above the truck bed rails.

[Runaway_Dmax]

UPDATE: I ended up ording the truck with the standard suspension package, just like my 03 had and the truck sits the same height as what the 03 did. Seems all the trucks on the lots I looked at had the Z71 suspension package which makes the truck sit higher.

I had the trailer raised for one summer and it was too high and too top heavy in my opinion. The way the trailer sits on the old truck will be the same on this one and is pretty close to level towing. My trailer also have the ajustable suspension, but it is at its MAX range. I like the trailer, its paid for and have no issues with it so I'm not in the market for a different one that actually comes with the bigger tires now.

Thanks for everyones responses.

[carco]

I had the factory install adjustable axles on my first 5th wheel in order to raise it enough to get the 6" clearance above the truck bed rails. My second 5th has Moryde axles which are adjustable. You could also "flip" the axles under the springs too. In any case, you need 6" above the truck bed rails.


Is 6" enough?? With my 38' enclosed I had 6" of bed rail clearance but still dinged the bed in 3 places, 3 times. I have since raised the clearance to about 7.5"+ and no problems. Adjusted the gooseneck about 2" and switched from 15" to 16" wheels with heavier, larger diameter tires gaining 1.2" total @ the wheels.
Or is the problem more from tight turns on slopes and hills of southern Ohio and Ky. and Tn.?? bob.........

[Hook_'em_Horns!]

UPDATE: I ended up ording the truck with the standard suspension package, just like my 03 had and the truck sits the same height as what the 03 did. Seems all the trucks on the lots I looked at had the Z71 suspension package which makes the truck sit higher.

I had the trailer raised for one summer and it was too high and too top heavy in my opinion. The way the trailer sits on the old truck will be the same on this one and is pretty close to level towing. My trailer also have the ajustable suspension, but it is at its MAX range. I like the trailer, its paid for and have no issues with it so I'm not in the market for a different one that actually comes with the bigger tires now.

Thanks for everyones responses.

Different suspension package makes sense for a difference in height. The overall height of the 17” is the same as the 16”. The 17 has a smaller tire sidewall than the 16.

[qinlet]

I have a 02 and did find a suspension lowering kit which owered the rear end 2 inches but my 5th wheel still rides a little nose high but not bad enough to want to flip axles. I seems all the pickup truck makers only want a bigger looking truck and dont seem to care about us guys that pull 5th wheel trailers and the problems we have trying to fit their trucks under our trailers. Maybe Tundra will recognize the problem and take business away from the big 3.