Hitch problem Tundra and Scamp 19 5th wheel

[tnchef]

We have a Scamp 19, 5th wheel, and a 2014 Toyota Tundra Crewmax.

Scamp sent us the spec sheet on how to install the hitch, but we still have a problem. Our Scamp was "delivered" into our garage by its former owner with his truck. We had that hitch installed on our Tundra.

When we tried to drive up the hill of our driveway, the back and sides of the truck would have crashed into the Scamp. So, it is apparent that the hitch is not installed correctly in the bed of the truck.

If anyone is successfully towing a Scamp 19 using a Tundra Crewmax, I would be so grateful if you could contact us, so we can figure out what is wrong with our hitch installation.

Thanks so much!

Gigi

[Bob Miller]

I don't have a Tundra Crew Max but I have heard of this problem before when setting up crew cab/short bed pick-ups for 5th wheel towing.

Where did Scamp tell you to position the hitch relative to the chassis? I'll bet they said directly over the center of the axle which, in the case of a long cab and a short bed, can be to far forward.

Ask Scamp for a dimension relative to the back of the cab, that is, what is the closest the hitch can be to the cab without the trailer hitting.

[gage]

Did you ever think that maybe the two beds might have been different as far as the depth of the beds? Sounds to me that you just need to raise the hitch.

[tnchef]

They said 60" diagonally from the corner. But that did not work.

[padlin00]

Can you tell how high the Scamp is above the bed rails when they are level? Think I heard a fifth wheel needs 6" or 8" of clearance. Newer trucks have deeper beds as well as a higher stance, in some cases necessitating lift blocks on the trailer.

[Bob Miller]

I'm a little confused
Is the trailer hitting the back of the trucks cab or the inside walls of the bed?

[tnchef]

It's hitting the top of the truck sides and the top of the tailgate when driving uphill. Not sure how many inches above it is when level. I will have to measure.

[Bob Miller]

So it sounds like the hitch is in the right place, but it just isn't high enough to let the trailer clear the edges of the bed?

[papa-t]

I have a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab short bed. I can't remember the height between Scamp and the side bed rails. You need to make sure camper is level when hooked up and measure from camper to the bed rails. What is the measurement space between the two? The Tundra I'm sure sits higher then mine. What position do you have the hitch in. Like Gage said you might just need to raise the hitch.

[Raz]

I would suggest getting the trailer and truck on the same plane and check your clearances. It's not just the side rails that may be higher but the whole truck. Check with Scamp and other owners as to how high above the side rails the trailer should be. Since the previous owner was able to park the trailer in the garage, there must be a height that will allow you to do it (assuming the garage door is high enough) but that will mean raising both the hitch and trailer. How high is too high for traveling down the road.?

Alternately could you adjust the approach to the garage, i.e. a load or two of gravel to lessen the angle? Or perhaps find a new parking location. Good luck, Raz

[Eddie Longest]

Gigi
The <60" horiz. distance measurement from ball to bumper tip is only the clearance so your bumper will not hit the trailer when turning. With a newer 4X4 Tundra you have really high bed rails, You will more than likely need a lifted trailer and raised hitch.
If you have a 2010 trailer or newer with bolted on axle a lift is fairly easy and inexpensive. If you have an older (Mid 80s) 5er with bent neck tongue, besides an axle lift you may need to also modify the tongue to get the needed height in addition to raising the hitch.
Put a 2x4 across your bed rails and measure to the ground. Then level the trailer and measure from the upper deck lower fiberglass edge to the ground. The trailer need to be at least 6-8 higher than your bed rails and your hitch needs to be adjusted to maintain this distance.
Do you have a picture of your trailer setting level and what year is your trailer?
Eddie

[steve dunham]

The last time I was at the Scamp plant there were 5th wheel trailers sitting in their lot that had been raised about 4" I was told that that raising the trailer was required for the newer pickup trucks with the higher sides and tailgate . Scamp moves their trailers with a Ranger Pickup that is lower than newer full size trucks

[Rob in Vista]

I have a 2012 tundra dub cab I had to raise the trailer 4" and add 14" wheels ( wished I did 15") I have a removable hitch 13" to top of ball. The center of the ball is right over the axle. If I had to do it again I would have moved the hitch back 4" add 15" wheels and raised the ball 2". I also have a vary steep drive way so I had to add another hitch just to get the trailer out of my drive way and then I drop back to the first hitch ( a big pain but I am not moving) good luck Rob