Bed Rail Height

[rskeans]

My RAM is set up for a heavy truck camper (sold unit). The truck bed rail is 60" high unloaded. I'm very concerned about the clearance of the 36RL overhang and the bed rails.

For a 36RL, can anybody tell me what the height of the overhang is from the ground when the RV is level?

I have two extra leaf springs on the main spring pack for the old camper. Plus the overload springs were re-bent to contact the overload contact points. I'm thinking that I'll have to go back to the spring shop and have them remove the extra springs and get it back to stock height. I think I'll need 5-6" clearance between the RV and bed rails.

RAM owners - - - Can you tell me how much sag you get when a 36RL is attached? In fact, I think the pin weight is pretty much the same for all
RW's. The answer for any floor plan should be about the same.

Thanks!

[Titan Guy]

Just had IS put on my 36RE and they raised the trailer 2" to tow level with my 2014 Ram DRW 4x2. I think going back to stock will still leave you 3+" nose high.

[rskeans]

Originally Posted by Titan Guy

Just had IS put on my 36RE and they raised the trailer 2" to tow level with my 2014 Ram DRW 4x2. I think going back to stock will still leave you 3+" nose high.

Many thanks for the information. However, it is discouraging.

[johnboytoo]

How much did the changes for your truck camper increase the height ? do u recall ?

I wouldn't change a thing until you test it - go to the dealerships and just try to drop one on the lot onto your truck (carefully) and see how it sits...

[Titan Guy]

You will tow fine at stock height. I was towing with a 14 Ram 2500 4x4 and it pulled fine a little nose high.

[rskeans]

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

How much did the changes for your truck camper increase the height ? do u recall ?

I wouldn't change a thing until you test it - go to the dealerships and just try to drop one on the lot onto your truck (carefully) and see how it sits...

I don't recall. Each added leaf is about 1/4" x 2. But without a load there is just no sag. The RAM sits higher anyhow than my old '08 Ford 350 4x4 DRW. But I don't have a number.

A couple numbers that would be useful from the group would be:
1. The 36RL overhang height from the ground.
2. The amount of sag on a '13 or '14 RAM DRW 4x4 with the RW pin weight.

When looking at 5ers this last weekend I noticed quite a variance between brands. One was 65". That would work. I think that was a Montana. But another was only 60". That would be a big problem.

I don't have a hitch installed in the truck yet. Entertaining the Andersen hitch that secures with the Gooseneck ball. Kind of difficult to go to a dealer and drop their RW on my truck.

[mhs4771]

RL can be pretty nose heavy, depending on options and how much you load in the basement. Loaded for long term travel we're around 4K on the pin of our 36RL.

[johnboytoo]

Oops ! I assumed (incorrectly) you had an rv already

good luck then ...

[rskeans]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

RL can be pretty nose heavy, depending on options and how much you load in the basement. Loaded for long term travel we're around 4K on the pin of our 36RL.

Do you know how much your height dropped when connected?

[atom ant]

Also depends on whether or not you have the tri-glide pin box. That pin box is very tall compared to the standard pin box. Our hitch is at the bottom setting, and pin box up as far as it will go, and I still have almost 12" between the rail and Redwood. I set level, actually have to pump it up a bit with the airbags.

I know its a Ford, which may be different.

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by rskeans

Do you know how much your height dropped when connected?

We have a 2011 RAM 3500, CC, Laramie, SRW, 8 feet bed truck and a 2012 36RL Redwood. We have the Trail-Air Tri-Glide pin box and it is mounting on the 5th wheel is as it came from the factory. We have a Pull-Rite Super 5th, 20.5K hitch. The hitch is set to it's lowest mounting height. I made some measurements and this is what I found..........

Bed rail height to ground (unloaded) =56 3/4 inches
Bed rail to bed floor = 20 1/2 inches

Hitch capture plate (when level) to bed floor = 15 1/2 inches
Clearance between bottom of 5th wheel overhang to bed rail = 7 1/2 inches

Sag of truch when loaded = 4 inches
Pin weight when loaded is approximately 3100 lbs.

We load lightly and carry only 30 gallons of fresh water when traveling.

[rskeans]

Many thanks for taking the time to provide those measurements.