Using Air Lift Air Bags with Curt Gooseneck Trailer Hitch on a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500

Updated 02/06/2018 | Published 02/05/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Double Lock, Flip and Store Underbed Gooseneck Hitch w/ Installation Kit - 30,000 lbs

(705)

$553.53

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle

(1350)

$491.39

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs

(711)

$1795.00

Reese Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 10 Bolt

(349)

$239.07

Question:

I have a 2012 GMC 1500 Crew Cab with Air Lift 88204 LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Spring Kit installed. It does have the capability to to be 5th wheel compatible by not using the U bolts on the front install and using a bolt instead. Would the front flanges interfere with the front ubolt of the Curt Double Lock, Flip and Store Underbed Gooseneck Hitch w/ Installation Kit - 30,000 lbs Item # C615-632? If those flanges are removed will the curt kit fit? Assuming the design load of the Airlifter kit through a single drilled bolt with Edge distance is sufficient to support the shock loaded onto the truck beam. Also enclosed trailer we are looking at buying is 8 6 wide. What is the typical cab to ball space for the 1500? 35 Is a 90 degree turn capability needed for a trailer or are the limits more simular to a bumper pull where the effective turn capability need only be ~70 degrees? 35-51+4 ball offset =-12 short Paying for a 6 narrowed trailer- 35-36 +4 offset= 1 extra until more than 90 degrees used

asked by: Jordan P

Expert Reply:

Yes. If you replace the U-bolts used in Air Lift air bags # AL88204 with the bolt as indicated in the instructions it will be compatible with the Curt Curt Double Lock, Flip and Store Underbed Gooseneck Hitch # C615-632.

If your truck is a short bed then the approximate distance from the back of the cab to the center of the ball is 35 inches. On a long bed that distance is 47 inches. At some point you will need to make a 90 degree (or more) turn.

If you are towing a 5th wheel trailer and not a gooseneck trailer then ideally you would get a 5th wheel slider hitch and installation kit so that you will have the clearance needed to make 90 degree turns safely.

For that you can use installation kit # RP30035. The L-brackets in this kit will accommodate the Air Lift hardware already on the truck. Then you could use the super sweet Demco HiJacker auto-sliding hitch # DM8550034. It has 14 inches of travel and slides automatically. I have linked a video review for you.