How to Measure for Bed Side Clearance on 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer
Updated 02/15/2017 | Published 02/14/2017
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Question:
How can I be sure if my Husky 5th wheel hitch is going to give me the proper clearance from the underside of my 5th wheel overhang to the top railing of the bed of my truck. I removed my rails from my old 2004 GMC 2500 HD 6 1/2foot bed and would like to put it on my new GMC 2017 2500 HD 6 1/2foot bed, what is the proper procedure to find that out. My fifth wheel hitch is a Husky Advantage E-Z Roller, 16,000 lb. The depth from my old truck bed is 2inch shorter than my 2017 truck bed? Im planning on buying the base rails and installation kit from your company. I appreciate the feed back
asked by: Robert A
Expert Reply:
First, for your 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 you will need to replace the brackets that attach to the frame because the 2004 and 2017 models use different brackets. You can get the brackets and hardware by themselves with # HT31852. You can reuse the rails that you have.
It is recommended to have 6 inches from the tops of the bed sides to the underside of the 5th wheel trailer overhang. To determine if your hitch will be in the proper position there are a couple of measurements needed.
Back your truck into position as if you were hooking up your fifth-wheel trailer. Make sure that the truck and trailer are level. If there is less than 6 inches from the tops of the bed sides to the bottom of the overhang raise the trailer until there is 6 inches. Up to about 1 inch out of level will be fine but any more than that and the rear of the trailer will have to be raised to compensate.
Next, measure from the pin plate (the bottom of the pin box) down to the top of the corrugations in the bed of your truck. This measurement will need to be the height of the hitch from the tops of the bed corrugations to the top of the hitch with the head level. Most 5th wheel hitches and pin boxes are height adjustable so you there is some adjustment.
If you do think raising the trailer in the back is necessary then you may be able to use an over/under conversion kit if:
The trailer leaf spring stack is currently mounted under the axles
The trailer uses double-eye springs
And the trailer has 2-3/8 inch or 3 inch diameter round axles
For a 2-3/8 inch round axle use # K71-384-00 and for a 3 inch diameter axle use # K71-385-00.
If you cannot use an over/under conversion kit then the only other way to raise the height of the trailer is to have the old suspension hangers cut off and new, taller ones welded on by a qualified professional welder. I have included a link to the hanger main page for you.
