How Much Clearance Needed?

[Dean]

We recently took delivery of our 2017 DRV 38RSSA. We have now made a couple of short trips and are pulling it with a 2017 3500HD Dually Crew Cab. I am using a Hensley Manufacturing TS3 Trailer Saver hitch with the 3" spacer kit. Our DRV has the 2" riser on it as well.

After years of pulling bumper pull travel trailers, this is my first 5th wheel trailer. The clearance between the top of the bed of the truck and the underside of the nose of the 5th wheel is closer than I would have expected; especially when I am pulling out of driveway where there is an elevation change, or through a dip in a road intersection.

Is there a rule of thumb for how much clearance is needed when the truck and trailer are setting level? I'd sure hate to have the underside of the trailer nose come in contact with the top of the side of the truck bed - that would be a problem.

Comments appreciated.