Posted 2010-07-10 2:34 PM (#122163) Subject: bed rail height and adjustments
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
I read the thread here a couple of weeks ago. The recommendation was that there be 9 inches of clearance. I connected my trailer and it's right at 9 inches, not quite. The problem is that it is adjusted from the previous owner's truck and I was intending to let it down so that the ride was level. My truck bed is abnormally high (2005 f350 4wd with 18" wheels and the stiffest suspension of any truck of that year)
So, my options seem to be:
leaving it as is, with the clearance almost at 9 inches but with the trailer traveling unlevel - not horribly unlevel, but unlevel (drives me crazy to see it)
adjusting it and seeing how close it comes to the truck bed when adjusted and then asking you all again:)
changing the height of the almost monster truck (seems too big a deal but I could be wrong)
changing the height of the trailer - blocking it
Now, changing the height of the trailer sounds like the right optioni, but I don't know anything about that. How much difference in height, if there is a change in ride or stability. (It's a 7 foot tall trailer so not terribly tall) Another benefit of raising it is that I would revisit the black water tank issue which had dissuaded me from putting in a real toilet).
Posted 2010-07-10 2:37 PM (#122165 - in reply to #122163) Subject: RE: bed rail height and adjustments
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Posts: 504
Oh, my ideal is to keep this trailer for a long time. I got it very cheap and though it is older steel, it's in very good condition. I live in a low-rust area and it seems to have been kept in a barn when not in use.
Posted 2010-07-10 5:43 PM (#122175 - in reply to #122163) Subject: RE: bed rail height and adjustments
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447 Location: cedar rapids iowa
I just measured my clearance for curiosity and I have 11" on the box sides and 7" on the tailgate where the frame is lower than the rest of the trailer and I have never had a problem with clearance.
So just made me wonder if you had 9" for the frame and more for the body. If so sounds like you have room to adjust it down.
Oh, I wasn't complaining about not having a response (thosse posts were withing very few minutes of each other). I was laughing at myself because I kept adding replies to my original post and thought it looked silly to do that. I wanted to add information and I didn't realize that the edit function allowed editing after the fiirst minute now -(ater I tried and found out that it does work). So, that's what I meant by tallking to myself. No one had had an opportunity to respond but I just kept talking:)
As for the flatbed, I did think of that. I use the truck too much for too many things to do that. Also, my friend just took his flatbed off and put his bed back on because the flatbed was just too heavy. Maybe different flatbeds have different weights.
Posted 2010-07-10 11:27 PM (#122187 - in reply to #122175) Subject: RE: bed rail height and adjustments
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Posts: 504
Originally written by laurie on 2010-07-10 5:43 PM
I just measured my clearance for curiosity and I have 11" on the box sides and 7" on the tailgate where the frame is lower than the rest of the trailer and I have never had a problem with clearance.
So just made me wonder if you had 9" for the frame and more for the body. If so sounds like you have room to adjust it down.
Laurie, that's a good thought. I measured 8.75 inches on the tailgate, but didn't measure the sides. I don't know that there is a differnce, but I'll certainly check it. I've pulled it through my rough pasutre and not had a problem, but I haven't lowered the nose yet, either. I think I need to do some more looking at that. Thanks.
Posted 2010-07-11 10:51 AM (#122204 - in reply to #122163) Subject: RE: bed rail height and adjustments
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Posts: 504
So, I did go back and search the old posts again - and reread all of the threads again. The only thing I found that I hadn't already read was a link to an air ride seller. I thought I had read everything. Most concern seems to be about loading and unloading horses, and that isn't my concern.
Posted 2010-07-12 9:49 AM (#122245 - in reply to #122163) Subject: RE: bed rail height and adjustments
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
I've also got the 05 F350 King Ranch LB with 18" rims. I pull a 3H w/ 12 LQ and have Firestone air bags. I like the 8" of clearance but would be satisfied with 6". You want a slight slope as noted on an earlier post. The front of my box is about 3" higher than the bumper, about 27'. We just purchased the trailer two weeks ago and had the dealer adjust the height of the hitch. He said this was pretty much ideal. I would think that any good dealer would get you set up the proper way and should have before you left their lot.
Posted 2010-07-12 10:05 AM (#122248 - in reply to #122245) Subject: RE: bed rail height and adjustments
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Posts: 504
Originally written by genebob on 2010-07-12 9:49 AM
I've also got the 05 F350 King Ranch LB with 18" rims. I pull a 3H w/ 12 LQ and have Firestone air bags. I like the 8" of clearance but would be satisfied with 6". You want a slight slope as noted on an earlier post. The front of my box is about 3" higher than the bumper, about 27'. We just purchased the trailer two weeks ago and had the dealer adjust the height of the hitch. He said this was pretty much ideal. I would think that any good dealer would get you set up the proper way and should have before you left their lot.
Thanks for the information. What are the Firestone airbags? I bought my trailer from a private party. I'm thinking that we'll just adjust it or have it adjusted and see how it works. Through the information in this thread, I've come to believe that it will work fine.
Posted 2010-07-12 10:20 AM (#122250 - in reply to #122163) Subject: RE: bed rail height and adjustments
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
The firestone air bags are like air shocks added to the suspension of your vehicle. When I hooked up my previous trailer it would drop my bumper 4". I felt like I was in take off mode in an airplane and making me front end light. I can add air in the bags to bring my truck back to original level and provide a smoother, more controlled ride.
Posted 2010-07-12 11:56 PM (#122279 - in reply to #122163) Subject: RE: bed rail height and adjustments
Regular
Posts: 90
Hello Phoresic, I have recently encountered the same problem after purchasing a new truck. I raised my coupler to allow 9" at the tailgate (suggested by a nice HTW forum user)...thank goodness (dealer said 6" should do)...I was leaving a state park on a good but steep, curvy drive, my gooseneck was a hair away from hitting the bedrail! I am going to block my axles...have had three bids from experiences shops, price is $300-$500 in my area. I will be adding a ramp as well. Good luck!
Posted 2010-07-13 9:06 AM (#122285 - in reply to #122279) Subject: RE: bed rail height and adjustments
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
Thanks Brenda. I think yours is the post that started me on this line of questioning. When yours almost hit, was there a way of maneuvering the trailer that would have kept it from getting so close?
I'll be very interested in hearing how the blocking works for you and how it effects the handling of your rig.
bed rail height and adjustments
You do NOT want to run with a highly elevated NOSE...
Have you looked at converting to a flatbed? 
You do NOT want to run with a highly elevated NOSE...
Have you looked at converting to a flatbed?