Height of rig and gap between rig and bed rails?

[ajg617]

After see @traveldawg adjust the height of his Goosebox mount since he had 9", I went out an measured mine after we loosened and re-installed all the GooseBox bolts. It was 9" also and I think I'm set at the lowest bolt pattern. So how much is too much?

By the way, the original install was had the Goosebox cantered off-door side low. It is now square and first time since we picked it up I can lower on the ball with the latch locked and it will do its thing. Every other time I've had to manually unlock the latch.

So, Everything looks relatively level except the bed rail clearance seems more than I measured months back. Also measured overall height of the front AC while hitched and it is 13' 4" on both sides which seems a tad low - but I'll take it.

I could lower the rig an inch by going with a Curt ball instead of the B&W. But TV and RV seem to look pretty level so I'm not sure if it's needed.

[Hoopy Frood]

The clearance of the bed rails should be around 6" minimum. As long as the trailer is running level, then rail clearance, as long as it's sufficient, is pretty much immaterial.

[Spartacus]

It look good to me, do you have at least 6" between the bed rail and the bottom of the 5th wheel? I don't think that you want too much lower you might hit the rail with your fiver.

[huntindog]

As long as you are level, the more clearance the better

[ajg617]

I guess that's what is confusing me. I measured both overall height of rig when hitched and bed rail clearance when we brought it home and yesterday. Both changed and I don't know why. I originally had 7.5" bed rail clearance on the sides and 6.5" over middle of tailgate in April. In April, measured 13' 5.5" high front AC to ground both sides.

Yesterday, 9" side bed rail clearance and 8" over middle of tailgate and 13' 4" high front AC to ground on both sides. The only thing I did was loosen all the bolts in their existing holes so that the Goosebox would be level side-to-side - it was not before.

I guess I'm not understanding how or why that changed though driveway slopes front to back a little - was on the most level spot? Maybe my overall height measurements were a bit imprecise but the bed rail clearances grew an inch or so while the height shrank.

Below are the mounting holes used in both the GooseBox and the Wings. I could lower the trailer and gap between bed rails and RV by using the upper three sets of holes on the wings, but this is how it was installed by dealership.

[traveldawg]

@ajg617
After looking at the hitch bolt patterns I see that I moved mine from the lowest position to the standard position. In doing so I was able to put 2 more bolts in the topmost holes. I figured the more bolts the better.

I took it out for it's first test drive today. With the new truck (and 10 speed transmission) and the new hitch set up it rides really nice. A lot less noise starting and stopping and less jerking motion too (there wasn't a lot before, but there was some play - maybe needed to adjust pucks but didn't knowing I was changing things up).

Going from a short bed to a long bed, the 10 speed, and the hitch certainly makes for a different ride. so far it is a better ride. I'll get more miles in a few days on our way down to Key Largo.

[ajg617]

@ajg617
After looking at the hitch bolt patterns I see that I moved mine from the lowest position to the standard position. In doing so I was able to put 2 more bolts in the topmost holes. I figured the more bolts the better.

I took it out for it's first test drive today. With the new truck (and 10 speed transmission) and the new hitch set up it rides really nice. A lot less noise starting and stopping and less jerking motion too (there wasn't a lot before, but there was some play - maybe needed to adjust pucks but didn't knowing I was changing things up).

Going from a short bed to a long bed, the 10 speed, and the hitch certainly makes for a different ride. so far it is a better ride. I'll get more miles in a few days on our way down to Key Largo.

Thanks Larry,
Mine is also attached to the standard position but have 4 sets of bolts on the wings. So I could really mount the pinbox higher on the wings, but it's not what is shown in the GooseBox installation instructions for that frame. I've never actually put a level on the frame when hitched - might be a good idea - I know the dealer didn't do that when installing the GooseBox initially.

[traveldawg]

I never thought about putting a level on the frame when hitched. Good idea. I usually just measure the distance from the skirting trim to the ground from front to back.

Right now I am about 2" to 3" 'nose high'. But I will be getting MorRyde IS soon (October) and will let them raise the rig a bit to get level (I hope).

[ajg617]

I never thought about putting a level on the frame when hitched. Good idea. I usually just measure the distance from the skirting trim to the ground from front to back.

Right now I am about 2" to 3" 'nose high'. But I will be getting MorRyde IS soon (October) and will let them raise the rig a bit to get level (I hope).

I'm pretty close to level. The MorRyde IS install was really interesting on Changing Lanes YT. On my wish list also - why I opted for the 8K axles and discs.

[huntindog]

I never thought about putting a level on the frame when hitched. Good idea. I usually just measure the distance from the skirting trim to the ground from front to back.

Right now I am about 2" to 3" 'nose high'. But I will be getting MorRyde IS soon (October) and will let them raise the rig a bit to get level (I hope).

If you are going to use a level, use it on the ground first.