What Height Should I Set My 5th Wheel Hitch at Before Picking Up a Fifth Wheel?  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hello Don,

Welcome to etrailer, I am so glad you found us!

The Curt PowerRide 5th Wheel Hitch # C74BR is a great fit for your 2023 Ram 3500 dually with the 8' bed and factory puck system, and you are correct that it gives you a hitch height adjustment from 14" to 18".

Since you will not see the fifth wheel until you get there, there really isn't one height I can tell you to set the hitch at ahead of time and know it will be correct. The proper height depends on the height of the king pin plate on that particular fifth wheel. The goal is to have the trailer sitting as close to level as possible when you are hooked up while still maintaining enough clearance between the bottom of the fifth wheel overhang and the top of your truck's bed rails. Curt calls for a minimum of 5-1/2" of clearance.

Since you are buying the fifth wheel out of state, I would ask the seller to park the trailer on level ground and level it with the landing gear. Then have them measure from the ground to the underside of the king pin plate. You can measure from the ground to the bed of your Ram. The difference between those measurements will get you very close to the hitch height you need before you ever leave home.

If getting that measurement from the seller isn't an option, I would bring the tools needed to adjust the # C74BR with you rather than guess at a height and plan on towing it home that way. Once you are there, you can get the measurements, set the hitch accordingly, hook up, and check that the fifth wheel is sitting level and you have the proper bed-rail clearance before hitting the road.

Getting a 5th wheel is super exciting, but can raise a lot of questions. Please always feel free to come ask your new friends at etrailer. Also, we never like those emergency situations, but when they do arise, we do have overnight shipping on most items and a great customer service team on the phones ready to take your call 7 days a week =)

What fifth wheel are you looking at? Have you decided where the first great adventure will be?

expert reply by: Kate F

0

Marvin E.

9/11/2026

Hi Don, I’ve never actually measured the exact height of mine, but I use this hitch daily with my RV transport company. I have it installed with one hole showing above the flange, and that setup has worked well for me across different years and models of fifth wheels. Since I’m constantly picking up different fifth wheels, I needed a height that would work across a wide range of units without having to readjust the hitch every time. So far, that one-hole-above-the-flange position has worked well for me. Hope that helps give you a good starting point.

Kate F.

9/14/2026

@MarvinE Thanks for jumping in and helping Don out, Marvin! It is always great to hear from someone who has actually purchased and used the hitch, especially with the amount of different fifth wheels you hook up to. Your real-world experience is definitely helpful here. I appreciate you taking the time to share it!