What is Ideal Clearance Between 5th Wheel Trailer and Bed Rails and How to Adjust

Updated 09/16/2019 | Published 09/14/2019

Question:

Just purchased 2019 Ford F350 Super Duty Fx4 Dually. Ive installed are Reese 16k fifth from are old truck which was a Ford F350 Super Duty dually two wheel drive. Weve hook up are coach and I have 5 in. of cleanance between bed edge and bottom of coach and coach is leave. Where do I start adjusting to raise the coach to get my 6 in. of clearance that need between bed and coach???

asked by: George C

Expert Reply:

So the ideal amount of clearance between the trailer overhang and the bed rails of the truck is 6 inches while the trailer is sitting as level as possible. If your trailer sits perfectly level and you currently have 5 inches you probably will be fine as long as you don't plan to travel on any extreme elevation changes. Some say that 4 to 6 inches is okay but we tend to have people shoot for 6 inches to be extra safe.

But let's say you can raise the nose of your trailer up to get it level and additional clearance. You can do this by raising the head of the fifth wheel hitch by using different install bolts between the head and the base. Or you can lower the pin box on the trailer frame to add more clearance as well. To do this you'd unbolt the pin box and then reinstall it in a lower set of mounting holes if available.

expert reply by: Jameson C