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  1. #1
    New Member
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    Hitching 5th wheel to truck

    We purchased a 2021, 30' GD Reflection 1500 series this winter. After purchasing we upgraded our towing vehicle to a 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD 1 ton etc. Have taken it for it's maiden trip and encountered the following issue and need advice. The truck is higher than the trailer. In order to connect we had to have the tailgate down and was not able to put it up or it would have touched the hitch. We have an Anderson Ultra hitch. The bed of the truck is about 2.5 inches too high. Does anyone have advice on the best way to correct this? We ended up driving with the tailgate in the down position which we feel is not ideal. Thank you.

  2. #2
    Seasoned Camper
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    Feb 2019
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    It sounds like you may have the AUH adapter on the king pin oriented incorrectly. The manual indicates measurements to take between your truck bed and the hitch which determines the correct orientation of the king pin adapter. Also the ball on the AUH can be raised or lowered which can make a difference. If these steps have been done with no improvement, you may need to have the suspension on the trailer raised.
    Regards, Bruce, Lin An, Kenji & Suki (Our two Akitas)
    2019 Solitude 310GK-R
    2015 Ram 3500 Big Horn CC, TD, Aisin Tranny, DRW

  3. #3
    Fireside Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by evergreennw55 View Post
    We purchased a 2021, 30' GD Reflection 1500 series this winter. After purchasing we upgraded our towing vehicle to a 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD 1 ton etc. Have taken it for it's maiden trip and encountered the following issue and need advice. The truck is higher than the trailer. In order to connect we had to have the tailgate down and was not able to put it up or it would have touched the hitch. We have an Anderson Ultra hitch. The bed of the truck is about 2.5 inches too high. Does anyone have advice on the best way to correct this? We ended up driving with the tailgate in the down position which we feel is not ideal. Thank you.
    I have never tried it but I thought driving with the tailgate down would risk having the tailgate hit the truck on sharper turns???

  4. #4
    Long Hauler
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    Quote Originally Posted by rrlowen View Post
    I have never tried it but I thought driving with the tailgate down would risk having the tailgate hit the truck on sharper turns???
    You are correct! DON'T drive with the tailgate down! If you have to turn greater than 15°, the tailgate will hit the camper! If it is that big of a concern, until you can get the coach level when towing, remove the tailgate.

    Sent from my phone using Tapatalk
    Mark & Mary. Full-timing across the USA (and Canada)!
    Current Coach: 2021 Grand Design Reflection 320MKS
    Current Rig: 2019 Ford F350 SD Crew Cab, w/8' box, Lariat, SRW, 6.7l Diesel

  5. #5
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    Problem resolved. The person who suggested the adapter was orientated incorrectly was right. Took it to dealer and they had it fixed in no time. Thanks everyone. We are enjoying our 2021 Reflextion and 2021 Silverado one ton immensely. A lot of electronics to learn about.

  6. #6
    Big Traveler dryfly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by evergreennw55 View Post
    Problem resolved. The person who suggested the adapter was orientated incorrectly was right. Took it to dealer and they had it fixed in no time. Thanks everyone. We are enjoying our 2021 Reflextion and 2021 Silverado one ton immensely. A lot of electronics to learn about.
    Just interested, is you trailer now riding level? How much space do you have between the trailer and the Silverado bed rails?

    It sure looks like it would be difficult getting 5th wheels with 15" wheels level using the current crop of trucks (which sure seem to set high).
    2020 Reflection 273MK

  7. #7
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    The truck & trailer are level. No issues with it since having the hitch orientated correctly.

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