Added Clearance For Bed Rails

Updated 06/30/2023 | Published 06/29/2023

Question:

I have a 2022 F350 long bed truck and a 2023 Dutchman voltage 4225 trailer. The truck has a OEM puck BandW 25k companion hitch with the height adjusted all the way up. The trailer has a Curt Roto flex 21,000 pound King pin adjusted all the way down. I am having trailer to bed rail clearance issues to where they have hit and chips paint and fiberglass. Clearance is about 5 inches on a flat surface but driving on uneven surfaces then articulation reduces that to where they hit. What king pin options are available to increase that clearance? Does BandW sell extended hitch towers raise the hitch up higher than stock?

asked by: John S

Expert Reply:

You aren't going to like this answer but there are just no king pin options that will increase your bed rail clearance, and B&W doe not sell extended hitch towers. If you have 3" round axles, the only thing you can try is raising the trailer higher with Over/Under Kit # K71-385-00.

That will move your trailer's leaf springs to the top of your axle and lift your trailer approximately the same amount as your axle's diameter plus the height of the leaf spring pack (assuming your axles aren't already on top of the leaf springs). This can result in your trailer being not totally even, but it's really the only option for added clearance.

expert reply by: Kyle S