Height Concerns for 5th Wheel Hitches

Updated 04/16/2019 | Published 04/14/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit

(841)

$88.71

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit

(840)

$95.95

Question:

I am looking at the Reese RP 30921. I have a 2017 F250 with the high capacity towing option 27,000# combined weight rating. I am purchasing a fifth wheel RV that has 14,500# loaded weight. I am concerned about the height of the hitch. The tires on my vehicle are a little smaller than the stock tires. I have 275/65/18 which dropped the height of the vehicle about an inch. Will the RP30921 be able to compensate for the lower vehicle height?

asked by: David L

Expert Reply:

Yes, the 4-inch height adjustment range of the Reese M5 Series hitch # RP30921 should allow you to keep your hitched trailer level and maintain enough clearance at the bed rails with your 275/65-18 tires that have a 32-inch overall diameter.

The M5 hitch head can be as much as 18-inches above the top of the bed corrugations. For reference the linked diagram shows the recommended minimum trailer clearance at the bed rails and bumper. You just want to measure your level trailer king pin height above ground; then measure from the bed up to the 14- to 18-inch height range for the Elite; this will tell you if the king pin will engage and still give you the bed rail clearance you need.

In recent years as trucks have become taller and taller many have had the opposite problem, with their bed rails being so high off the ground that the hitched trailer cannot sit level. In these cases where the trailer needs to be higher up to both clear the bed rails and remain level the use of an over-under suspension kit, part # K71-384-00 or # K71-385-00, allows clearance and a level trailer.

expert reply by: Adam R