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I have a 2020 Reflection 29rs. I have a 2500hd chev. long box. When I back up the pickup with the tail gate down to hook up the RV there is a little over 1 inch room between the tail gate and the front of the camper. I am looking for a way to increase the distance between the open tail gate and the camper. I have found online information on a 5th wheel kingpin extension. A company called Popup Industries sells a kingpin extension RV5 RV5 which they say extends the rv back about 10 additional inches from the pickup. I was hoping someone would know if this kingpin extension will bolt on to the 29RS, will not cause a turning problem so the camper would hit the side rails of the pickup and if it will do what it says it will do - give me 10 more inches between my tail gate and the front of my RV? Dakotabob
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Welcome to the Forum.Originally posted by dakotabob View Post
I do not have any experience with the extension that you have mentioned. I do have the 29RS and a 3500HD Chevy long box. I have around 2-3 inches of clearance with the tailgate down. My worry about adding 10 inches of clearance would be when going over a bump or down and up through a dip the rear top of the truck bed may contact the bottom of the fifth wheel over hang.
BrianBrian & Michelle
2018 Reflection 29RS
2022 Chevy 3500HD -
We have a similar clearance issue with our F-350 short-bed (6’ 9”) and our Andersen hitch. We needed to turn the conversion cup to the rear, in order to ensure clearance of the side-rails and the kingpin box. That leaves us with about two inches between the tailgate, in the down position, and the front of the trailer. If I’m not perfectly straight, it is possible that the tailgate could make contact with the front cargo door on the trailer.
We have found that a simple solution to the tailgate/fifth-wheel clearance is to back part-way under (my wife is guiding me, as I can’t see the ball on the Andersen hitch through the rear window of my crew-cab), then raise the tailgate (she does this, after I put the truck in park and set the brake), then back in the rest of the way.
It’s worked well for us.Tom and Janice (also known as Richter on the “Other” forum)
First came the 18' Comfort bumper-pull, was great for 20 years.
Now a 2019 Reflection 303RLS, second air, double glass, table and chairs
2019 F350 Lariat 4x4 Crewcab with lots of goodies
Andersen aluminum with the puck system holding it all together
Cranberry Twp. PA, about 30 miles north of PittsburghComment
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Another way around the tailgate to front of 5th wheel clearance problem is a manual slider hitch. With the hitch moved to the rearward hitching/maneuvering position this provides an additional 10" of clearance between the lowered tailgate and the front of the trailer. This means that you do not have to be exactly aligned with the trailer to hitch/unhitch. Additional benefits include being able to see the hitch out the back window of the truck when hitching and improved maneuverability of the trailer when backing because the trailer connection point is behind the rear axle of the truck . . . more like backing a TT. And, of course, if (when) you get into that uneven ground, tight turn situation . . . you can make sure that there is no danger of trailer to truck cab contact.
RobCate & Rob
(with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
2015 Reflection 303RLS
2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
Bayham, Ontario, CanadaComment
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Double check your hitch head placement. Many hitches have a for/aft adjustment depending on how the base (part legs attach to) is placed. On my Reese Titan there is about 2 to 3" of offset available depending on how I set the base. For me I just flip it around before setting the head in place. Look up the installation instructions for your hitch and see if it has that feature.
Hope this helps2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.Comment
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Thanks to all for your responses. I am going to consider all your input in working out a solution.Comment
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Any luck yet? Just curious as to what you found?Originally posted by dakotabob View Post2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.Comment
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For right now, I just remove the tailgate.Jerry and Kelly Powell, with Halo, Nash, Reid, Cleo, Rosie, and the two newest additions Shaggy and Bella..
Nash County, NC
2020 Solitude 390RK-RComment
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I have pulled many a 5th Wheel. I had the same issue that you are talking about. What I did was to replace my tailgate with a 5th Wheel Tailgate. A 5th Wheel Tail gate has a dip in the center of the tail gate so that you should be able to leave the tail gate up and drive under your 5th wheel trailer. My only issue with this every time I buy a new truck I end up having to buy a new tail gate. You can find the 5th Wheel Tail gates at many different stores both on-line and locally. Make sure the tail gate specifically says it will fit your model year. They also come in a louver style and solid style. I have a louver style tail gate.Comment
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