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My dad needs 5th wheel expertise.

ThreeBearsHD

ThreeBearsHD

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My dad asked me to post on one of my forums about the issue he's having with his new truck and 5th wheel combo. It's a Chevy, but the issue is with an aftermarket hitch system, so I was hoping someone here had some insight.

He finally sold his 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 4x4 1-ton dually Duramax and bought a slightly used 2023 Chevy Silverado 3500 4x4 1-ton SRW Duramax. He also upgraded from a 29' travel trailer to a 35' 5th wheel trailer. The trailer came with a a fancy Andersen and MoreRyde hitch system.

It tows like a dream and he loves his new combo, except for one issue. The trailer is not high enough over the bedsides to avoid contact with the bed while turning on uneven terrain.

The Andersen hitch is adjusted as high as it can go, and he called them to see if they made a taller shaft, and they didn't. So he's trying to figure out the cheapest way to get another 3-4" of clearance. I know nothing about 5th wheel hitch systems so have no idea what is available and what the costs would be. Hopefully someone here can shed some light on it.

Here is his current setup...

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Safety chains wrapped around the hitch? RUFKM?

Just one more reason they (AUH) suck. They cover the pucks which is where gooseneck safety chain adapters should be installed. Although there is a chain adapter to place over the gooseneck... Others have drilled holes in the AUH flat baseplate to allow the use of puck chain adapters. Apparently AUH has approved this mod if they are far enough away from the corner welds.

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Pinbox is mounted too high in the pinbox frame. Move it down (trailer up), and move the AUH ball down a hole. Effectively the same RV-bedrail clearance, but you'll get more tailgate and bedrail clearance at the pinbox frame mount, which is likely what's hitting.

Optionally, flip the AUH adapter around to the front which should work with a long bed and might give a little more clearance to the tailgate, not likely to help bedside clearance in a tight turn as the center point - to side dimension doesn't change.

Lastly, consider ditching that sh*tty AUH (seriously not a fan) and since the MORRyde is locked out with the AUH adapter plate kit (at least someone did that right) and isn't helping cushion anything, and get a Gen-Y pinbox with the tall B&W ball. Won't be a cheap fix. It looks like the nose is pitched up so the trailer may need a "lift." Most newer 5th wheels are coming with a 2" subframe added so they sit up higher for the new trucks. That, perhaps a taller spring equalizer, and even stepping up a tire size, it all adds up.

Whatever you do, please fix the safety chain issue.


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Exactly what Brutal said, ditch the AUH fast. If he keeps it then he needs to make sure that the bed stiffening brackets for the AUH were installed or he’ll damage the bed.

Gen-Y is a decent option, but I prefer the Reese Goosebox. Having had my hands on both I think the Reese is higher quality and it’s adjustable instead of fixed absorption.
 
Can't tell from the pictures, what is the current measurement between the RV and the bedrails? I have a hair under 7" and have done some crazy off camber boon docking spots that we probably shouldn't have :)
 
Jmonty said:
Can't tell from the pictures, what is the current measurement between the RV and the bedrails? I have a hair under 7" and have done some crazy off camber boon docking spots that we probably shouldn't have :)
Click to expand...

Impressive, I have over 9” (on the last 2 trucks, need to measure the 2500) and have to be very careful when boondocking.
 
AH64ID said:
Impressive, I have over 9” (on the last 2 trucks, need to measure the 2500) and have to be very careful when boondocking.
Click to expand...
I have 7” but I need to lift the camper 2” that will make it better for the rear clearance when breaking over the top of a hill
 
Ditch that crappy Andersen hitch fast.
Get a proper fifth wheel hitch installed. Or, a Reese Goosebox for the ball.
Adjust pin box height.
 
Ditch the anderson, get a proper 5th wheel hitch and enjoy the MORride pinbox although you will likely need to drop it one set of bolt holes.
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
I have 7” but I need to lift the camper 2” that will make it better for the rear clearance when breaking over the top of a hill
Click to expand...
I have the gen-y hitch with the 4" offset setup, I think that offset pushing it back 4" makes a huge difference when articulating on uneven terrain. Won't say it hasn't "touched" before but no marks are damage have been recorded :)
 
AH64ID said:
Exactly what Brutal said, ditch the AUH fast. If he keeps it then he needs to make sure that the bed stiffening brackets for the AUH were installed or he’ll damage the bed.

Gen-Y is a decent option, but I prefer the Reese Goosebox. Having had my hands on both I think the Reese is higher quality and it’s adjustable instead of fixed absorption.
Click to expand...

Yea, I meant to add an OR for the Goosebox, but spaced it out. Sage advice.
 
I just wanted to touch base and give a great big THANK YOU to all of the awesome replies in this thread.

My dad found the advice extremely helpful and is ditching the Andersen hitch. He removed it and showed me where the bed of his truck was already starting to buckle. You guys saved him a ton of grief and damage to his new truck!
 
Jmonty said:
I have the gen-y hitch with the 4" offset setup, I think that offset pushing it back 4" makes a huge difference when articulating on uneven terrain. Won't say it hasn't "touched" before but no marks are damage have been recorded :)
Click to expand...
4” wont make a “huge difference” but it takes some weight off your front axle. I would rather lift my trailer so it sits level on the truck.
 
Moving the hitch point back 4" is for clearance on turns doesn't affect anything about my trailer being level in my experience. Also from a weight standpoint I think it only moved ~40lbs off my front axle when I weighed my setup after.
 
Jmonty said:
Moving the hitch point back 4" is for clearance on turns doesn't affect anything about my trailer being level in my experience. Also from a weight standpoint I think it only moved ~40lbs off my front axle when I weighed my setup after.
Click to expand...
My issue is my trailer is too low so it sits nose high slightly. Also I have a long box I don’t need any offset
 
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