How to Increase the Clearance Between the Truck Bed Rails and the Bottom of a 5th Wheel Trailer

Published 01/11/2017

Question:

I have a 2006 Grand Junction 35 TMS with a Mor/Ryde pin box part # RBP72-1621 and recently I purchased a 2016 Chevy 3500 DRW with the factory puck system installed and then purchased a Curt 24K hitch from etrailer. My first time to pull my 5th wheel with the new set up I was not comfortable with the lack of clearance between the top of my bed and the bottom of my RV, after looking at the Mor/Ryde pin box it seems to be on the lowest possible setting available for the three six for both sides bolts closest to the king pin, the two four bolts furthest from the king pin have one empty hole below them that would allow those to be moved down one 2 which wont help me any unless i moved the front down and that would only leave room to bolt 2 4 of the 3 6 bolts back up so i would have 8 bolts total holding the pin box in place instead of the 10 I have now. Would that be a sufficient amount to use? If not what do you have you would recommend to replace the Mor/Ryde pin box? The Mor/Ryde shows to be rated for 15,500 lbs, I know my RV is pushing that to the limit if not over. My pin box measures 11 7/8inch wide, 17 3/4inch from the center of my king pin to the first row of bolts and 25inch to the back row of bolts from center of the king pin, the bolt holes are 2inch apart on center and the two rows of bolt holes are 7 7/8inch apart. Thanks for you help,

asked by: Ronny K

Expert Reply:

I recommend that you do not remove or change the setup of the pn box on your 2006 Grand Junction 5th Wheel Trailer. There may be a reason that the Mor/Ryde pin box needs 10 bolts to mount to the trailer. Removing one bolt may weaken the mount and could cause catastrophic damage to your trailer and vehicle if there is a failure.

There is one thing you can try before altering or replacing the king pin on your 2006 Grand Junction 5th wheel trailer. The Curt Q24, # C16545-16025 that you purchased, has an adjustable head height on the 5th wheel hitch. The head can be set between 13 -17 inches from the pickup bed to the hitches skid plate. I would check to see where the hitch head height is located and if you can raise the hitch and still remain level between the truck and trailer, then you could get a few inches of more clearance between your side rails and trailer. It is recommended a clearance of a minimum of 6 inches between the bed rails and the bottom of the trailer. Raising the hitch head a couple inches might achieve the 6 inch clearance that you need.

expert reply by: Jared P