Old Ram to New Ram Trailer to Box Clearance - Oh My!

[RikBakke]

I'm pondering replacing my 2013 Ram 2500 Cummins powered Tradesman crew cab long bed 2WD (yes, a rare 2WD here in Texas).
The Tow subject is my '25 Avenue 32RLS fifth wheel
The new target vehicle is 2026 Ram 3500 single rear wheel Cummins Tradesman crew cab long bed 4WD.
I think only the dual rear wheel 3500 can be had in 2wd for the 2026 model year - zero SRW models found with 2WD on the ram trucks inventory search.

My 2500 unloaded box height is 53 inches from ground. The '26 Ram 3500 Tradesman measures 58 inches... 5 inches up... okay...

Right now my 2500 with aftermarket airbags at 10 psi runs level with the trailer pin weight. The hitch and pinbox have been adjusted to pull the 3RLS dead level down road. I have 6-7 inches of clearance between the bed and trailer when on level ground.

I know the '26 3500 will squat some amount - but it seems to me either the 32RLS will need to go nose up quite a bit to get at least 6" clearance. And will trailer need spacers between the axles and springs to raise the trailer up?

Obviously, 4WD will raise the truck front to back - and newer trucks have higher boxes due to high side styling it seems. But that's the norm now for a few years. Is the 32RLS low compared to other current models and makes? it seems a bit higher that my previous Northwood 235RLS.

I'm curious to know what you folks have found and configured to get your 'newer' truck and trailer to work well together and have a reasonable clearance and towing experience..

And yes, my 2013 2500 with the diesel tows the 32RLS like a champ.

 

[Bozo]

I'm pondering replacing my 2013 Ram 2500 Cummins powered Tradesman crew cab long bed 2WD (yes, a rare 2WD here in Texas).
The Tow subject is my '25 Avenue 32RLS fifth wheel
The new target vehicle is 2026 Ram 3500 single rear wheel Cummins Tradesman crew cab long bed 4WD.
I think only the dual rear wheel 3500 can be had in 2wd for the 2026 model year - zero SRW models found with 2WD on the ram trucks inventory search.

My 2500 unloaded box height is 53 inches from ground. The '26 Ram 3500 Tradesman measures 58 inches... 5 inches up... okay...

Right now my 2500 with aftermarket airbags at 10 psi runs level with the trailer pin weight. The hitch and pinbox have been adjusted to pull the 3RLS dead level down road. I have 6-7 inches of clearance between the bed and trailer when on level ground.

I know the '26 3500 will squat some amount - but it seems to me either the 32RLS will need to go nose up quite a bit to get at least 6" clearance. And will trailer need spacers between the axles and springs to raise the trailer up?

Obviously, 4WD will raise the truck front to back - and newer trucks have higher boxes due to high side styling it seems. But that's the norm now for a few years. Is the 32RLS low compared to other current models and makes? it seems a bit higher that my previous Northwood 235RLS.

I'm curious to know what you folks have found and configured to get your 'newer' truck and trailer to work well together and have a reasonable clearance and towing experience..

And yes, my 2013 2500 with the diesel tows the 32RLS like a champ.

Keep in mind this maybe apples to oranges but: my 2017 2500 sat much higher than my 21 Ram 3500 DRW 4x4 with factory air rear suspension. Also with air, you have alternate ride height which is slightly lower. Something to check out when shopping.

 

[7426TRISS]

I agree with Bozo, my 2022 RAM sat higher, 20" wheels, with the 2026 RAM I when with 17" wheels, dead level, both DRW, auto level air bags

 

[RikBakke]

Thanks for the inputs. I'll look into the air suspension but it sure seems like maintenance nightmare down the road. not to mention the cost of the trim line and packages to get it. Maybe the Laramie is not such a bad ides.