What is Minimum Distance Needed Between Truck Bed Rails and Fifth Wheel Trailer Overhang
Updated 04/02/2018 | Published 03/31/2018
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Question:
This relates to a GMC Canyon, 2018 crew cab with 63inch bed. My trailer has three inch lift on axle, but I only have three inches of clearance between bed sides and trailer with the trailer level. What is absolute safe minimum clearance. To get 6inch inches of clearance the hitch is 7.5inch out of plumb. And yes, Scamps use a Reese type hitch in the smaller pickups.
asked by: Barry S
Helpful Expert Reply:
You really need to have a minimum of 6 inches between the bed rails of a truck and the overhang of the fifth wheel/gooseneck trailer. Some say that 4 inches is adequate but if you are in a hilly area at all you'll want the 6 inches.
Typically on lifted trucks like yours this is a hard issue to handle. In most cases the only solution is to remove the lift on the truck. Sometimes you can lift the trailer but that isn't always an option.
You can do this by moving the axles from being above the leaf springs to below the leaf springs.
The diameter of your trailer axle will determine the size of the parts that you will need to order. If your axle is 3 inches diameter, the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit, # K71-385-00, would be a great choice and if your axle is 2-3/8 inch diameter you could use the Over-Under Kit, # K71-384-00. These kits can be installed without welding but the manufacturer strongly recommends having the new spring seat tacked in place on the other side of the trailer axle.
Some refer to this process as "flipping the axles," but since axle has a slight bow to it you can't just flip them and reinstall them under the springs using the same spring seats. You have to install new spring seats on the opposite side of the axle so that it can be moved below the spring.
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Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit
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