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Just got my Reflection 303rls to be towed with a Ram 2500 and a 6.5 bed and Ram Boxes. At the time I did not realize the boxes would be such a problem, but I do love them. The dealer installed a ball hitch and the Andersen Ultimate hitch, but not the Andersen connection to the trailer. So I did my measurements and am off by an inch or so to put the connection to the trailer further away from the cab. The Reflection supposedly has a better towing front cap, so my question is does anyone have the same set up and what did they do, also how high did you place the ball on the AUH?
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BGG,Originally posted by BGG View Post
I can't address your question--I'll leave that to folks with knowledge on the topic. I just wanted to say "Hello" and welcome to the forum.
-HowardForum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus -
BGG, I use the AUH lowest ball setting on the hitch to achieve a level towing profile on my 303RLS. The receiver cup on the RV is mounted forward of the hitch pin (see pic). I currently tow with '18 Ram 3500 SRW short box with no cab clearance issues so far. Several trips to CO, Yellowstone & Glacier NP's on uneven roads.
That said, I did have 2 incidents with my previous '07 Ram (long box) that had a Retrax aluminum bed cover. The issue was with the bed rail tracks which extended into & along the bed about 2" on each side. No problems until I needed to flip a U-turn on slightly uneven paved road, where the RV pin box arm crimped the Retrax bed rail. Again another Retrax bed rail crimp from the pin box arm while turning hard L out of a campsite on uneven ground. I didn't install a Retrax cover on my new Ram.
Your narrow ram box will be an issue for you when making tight turns. The pin box arm will make contact with your bed before the RV cap approaches your cab. My suggestion is to use a higher AUH ball setting and cautiously do some test turns. Hope that helps. KevinKevin & Merry - Montana
2018 Reflection 303RLS
2018 Ram 3500 6.7L SRW 4X4 SB AUHComment
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Much thanks, I have the Rambox which complicates things but I may try facing the hitch forward and raise the ball if that doesn't work will reverse the hitch. much thanks for the suggestions and have safe travels.Comment
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A Reflection 5th wheel is 96" wide (actually 97") So, you need to have more than about 50" from the AUH ball to the back of the cab to get close to a 90 degree turn. Putting the AUH ball behind the pin will help with clearance to tailgate and side boxes but will bring the corner of the trailer far too close to the back window of the cab. The attached picture is not my truck, but (I think) depicts the situation that you are considering. This is obviously too close even on smooth level pavement. Uneven ground would quickly cause this to be a contact situation.Attached FilesLast edited by Cate&Rob; 12-10-2019, 08:09 PM.Cate & 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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BGG. I believe both Rob and I are discussing the location of the connection at the RV king pin box area. The AUH red receiver cup can be mounted either forward or aft of the RV king pin. When you say try facing the hitch forward, I think you may be talking about the actual hitch superstructure? Don't do that. Refer to installation in the owners manual. As shown in the pic, there is a reminder arrow at the bottom of the hitch placard. The offset is toward the tailgate.
Something else I am adding to my AUH is 5/16" 18K safety chains, which wasn't included in my setup. Hope this helps. -KevinKevin & Merry - Montana
2018 Reflection 303RLS
2018 Ram 3500 6.7L SRW 4X4 SB AUHComment
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Caution in turning. You 5th wheel will hit your cab if you make a turn on uneven ground. Voice of experience.Originally posted by Cate&Rob View PostComment
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Again much thanks, and yes I do mean the red receiver on the pin box not the AUH I am going to place the ball in the high position with the red cup forward and see how this works, Will be very cautious in any turn and hopefully will never need a 90 degree turn which is very hard on the suspension of the coach. And yes I purchased the chain kit from Andersen and have the B&W flip ball in the truck. So between now and March when I go on the maiden voyage, will practice and take a stiff 3 fingers of bourbon--lol. I remember an old Lucy movie the Long Trailer, and Ricky having nightmares about "TRAILER BRAKES" only my nightmare will be TURNComment
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The Long Trailer is a great movie. Every towable RV owners should watch thisOriginally posted by BGG View Post
. The brakes that Ricky is worried about are exactly the same brakes that came with your Reflection. If you Google "trailer brakes" you will find a 1950s magazine article that explains how your 2019 brakes work. Wait . . . that's 70 years with no significant changes 
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Rob
Cate & 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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I also have a Ram with Ram boxes. I am currently using the reese sidewinder on my 31MB. I am curious as to how the clearences on the bed sides is while in a turn or during a backing situation.Comment
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i also have a 2016 ram 2500 with the ram box,I tried the anderson hitch with the pin box coupler in the back position and still hit the inside of bed.The ram box takes 6.5 inches away on each side,My problem is the pinbox base is what wants to hit,the frame where the pinbox bolts to.But I tried this with a older toy hauler,I am looking at buying the 328m soon.It looks to me that the frame where the pinbox bolts to will work,as long as the pinbox is above the truck sides it will clearComment
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Well I finally got to take the 303 out for its maiden voyage to Pagosa Springs. with the Andersen hitch and Ramboxes and short bed. All went very well and the rig towed beautifully. At one point we stopped at a rest stop and noted how strong the cross winds were. If I had been in my TT, it would have been white knuckle time, but this was a breeze. Backed into the RV site without problem. clearance was good. So this system works and works well. Now the problem, going over Wolf Creek I was at 20-25 mph and the transmission was in low gear and 4500 rpm. Did the same coming back so traded the Ram for a Ford 350 with the new 10 speed transmission and a 6.7 diesel. Did great in the flats but mountains ate up the gas engine--live and learn.Comment
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