Is it Okay to Have More Than 5 - 6 of Clearance Above Truck Bed Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer
Updated 10/21/2019 | Published 10/19/2019
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
Thanks in advance for your time. I am installing the C16906 fixed legs on my Curt A20 hitch replacing the R20 Slider. With the R20, the A20 set at the lowest position I still retained about 10 inch of clearance to the box on my 2018 Ram. Since I have a sidewinder pin box I didnt really need the slider. So now I am installing it and find the medium bolt holes put me at about 8 inch clearance and I see you set a minimum as 5. It looks like if I go to the next set of bolt holes lower it will give me about 5-5.5 inch of clearance. Going down the road I am sure it will be fine, but will this positively be enough for 90 degree turns on very steep hills, up and down. I have seen what happens to truck beds when the trailer disagrees and they both loose.
asked by: Mark
Expert Reply:
Great question!
We recommend having 5" of bed rail clearance at the very least. If your 5th wheel trailer is level with the Curt # C16906 legs installed and your 10" of clearance then there is no harm in having more height clearance. If you have to adjust the pin box on your 5th wheel trailer and your Curt A20 # C16140 on your 2018 Ram 2500 then you need to make sure you have at least 5" - 6" of bed rail clearance. Now that being said, the Curt A and Q series hitches are no longer compatible with sidewinders, so you'll instead want the Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs # C16115 with Wedge # C16991.
This clearance anticipates turns on steep hills so you should be just fine up and down. The Sidewinder pin box moves your turning point back 22" so you definitely have enough turning clearance for a 90 degree turn.
The most important things are that you have your 5th wheel leveled and you have at least 5" - 6" of bed rail clearance as noted in the picture.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- 5th Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 5000 lbs Vertical Load
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Cushioned Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 13 - 17 Inch Tall
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Shop: Curt S20 Slider for E16, A16, A20, and Q20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 12" Travel
- Shop: Replacement Base Legs for Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch
- Search Results: dm6333
- Search Results: s20
- Shop: Curt A16 5th Wheel Hitch w/ S20 Slider for Ram Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 16K
- Shop: Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Chevy/GMC OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package - 21K
- Shop: Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ S20 Slider for Chevy/GMC - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Search Results: fifth wheel hitch
- Search Results: 5th wheel hitch
- Search Results: running boards
- Video: Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Chevy/GMC OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package Review
- Video: Review of Demco Fifth Wheel Installation Kit - DM6333
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Shop: Adapter Rails for Curt 5th Wheel Hitch - Dodge Ram Towing Prep Package
- Search Results: curt slider hitch
- Shop: Curt A16 5th Wheel Hitch w/ S20 Slider for Ram Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 16K
- Search Results: 5th wheel slider
- Q&A: Slider Base Needed For A Curt A16 5th Wheel Hitch
- Q&A: Can Curt Slider A20 Hitch Be Converted to Stationary Hitch
- Video: Set up: RetraxPRO MX Hard Tonneau Cover on a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
- Video: Curt Q24 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch: The Breakdown
- Video: How To Assemble the Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch
- Video: What to Know About the Curt Q24 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch
- Video: All You Need to Know About the Replacement Base Legs for Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: How To Read Trailer Tire Load Ratings
- Q&A: Curt Fifth Wheel Rail Kit Recommendation for 2025 Ford F-350
- Q&A: Can I Use A Curt A20 With A Reese Sidewinder On A Ram Truck With The Rambox
- Article: Ram Trailer Tow Prep Package
- Article: How to Install E-Track in 3 Easy Steps
- Q&A: How to Adjust the Pivot Arms on a B&W Companion
on 5th Wheel Hitch
