1998 Dodge long bed pulling a 5th wheel. How much clearance is required between the 5th wheel bottom and the top of the bed sides on the truck when the unit is setting level. Thanks for your help
bazdad

 

I have about 6 inches and sometimes it is still close.

 

Only my 2 cents, but 6 inches is plenty between bed rail front to back. I have a short bed and a driveway on a hill, and when I hock-up the back of my bed rail is maybe 1/2 inch, when I pull out to level ground, maybe 3 inches in back and 4 in front. I was very nervous at first, but 3 years later I can tell you, NO PROBLEM. Also I have plastic bed rail caps and there is a little give to the under side of my 5er and I've never seen any damage. But this is me, do what you feel safe with.

 

6" minimum - 8" to 9" preferred if you can get it.

Rusty

 

If you plan on pulling off the beaten path I second what RustyJC said. My brother has about 6" with his Weekend Warrior and F-350 and now has a creased bed rail. Pulling into a Bishop, CA campground (Pleasant Valley Reservoir) he also made contact with the 5th wheel. So get as much clearance in there that you can.

 

I have about 7.5" at my lowest point. I am going to do some more leveling measures this spring (I'm out of whack), maybe 16" rims/tires, maybe some welding work or 1.5" blocks on the leafs.

I haven't even come remotely close to my rails, but I don't fool around on much terrain other than what most campgrounds have getting in and out of the sites.

From what I read 6" min. is LAW in New Jersey, pretty much make the decision for you.

 

6'' of clearance at end of bed. I have rubbed a few times on really hilly sites. On the road it's more than enough.

 

I believe 6 inches front to back on bed rail is good. I wouldn't advise any less than that to anyone. I've just been really Lucky here in New England, the roads and campgrounds are real flat. (the flat was a joke) Really I've been lucky.

 

I have to go with the 6" and over crowd. My 1977 Arabian originally had a 4" dropped axle and on the first trip into the Sierra Mtns I did $1500 damage to the bed rails because of only 3" clearance at the hitch on level ground.
I replaced the dropped axles with straight axles and got 5" which worked until last years trip and I clipped the rear corners of the bed and the tailgate.
I have now converted to spring over and have about 8" clearance.
Harold

 

i only have 4" between my box rails and my 5vr. never had an issue yet.one time though i dropped it on the box without the landing gear down boy was i glad i had the rails then those mopar tupe box rails can really disperse the weight

 

Man you guys with 4 and 5 inches thats amazing, I have 8 inches of clearance and so does my buddy I ride with and we caved in his bed coming out of the book cliffs.

 

i dont take my stuff off the beaten path.

 

Well that would make a big differance.

 

Neither did I, but I caved in my bed on my 1996 3500 in Kentucky stopping for fuel on I-75. The driveway into the station was at a steep angle to the roadway, and...... A $650 lesson.

A lot of time, suggestions come from personal experience.

Rusty

 

good point there, i can raise my axles on my jayco to give me more clearance but i think it will sacrifice stability by lifting the 5vr up. when the snow clears up here i'll have to hook up and actually measure it and see exactly what i have, it looks like 4" from the rails ( about 6 1.2" total from the box top)