How to Determine if I Can Make a 90 Degree Turn with a 5th Wheel Trailer and a Dodge Ram Mega Cab
Question:
Hi, I have a short bed Dodge Ram Megacab 2500 and currently tow a travel trailer. Im looking to upgrade to a 5th wheel, around 12,000 lb. Could you advise me if you stock any automatic sliding hitches that would be appropriate, together with any other hardware I might need? Many thanks!
asked by: Rob L
Helpful Expert Reply:
I know turning clearance can be a problem with the Megacab models of the Ram trucks. We do not carry any automatic sliding hitches at this time, only manual slide hitches, but we often find that sliding fifth wheel hitches do not always cut it when it comes to the Ram trucks with the Megacab due to the bed and cab size. Typically, a Sidewinder pin box and a fixed fifth wheel hitch is required to safely make a 90 degree turn with these trucks, especially if the trailer does not have the cut-outs in the nose for short bed trucks.
Before you choose a fifth wheel hitch, I strongly recommend using the following formula to determine if a sliding fifth wheel hitch will be enough for you to safely make a 90 degree turn.
(A +/- B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from center of rear axle to truck cab
B = Travel of a sliding fifth wheel hitch
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)
For example: If the distance from the center of the axle to the cab is 36 inches and the sliding fifth wheel hitch has 12 inches of travel, 36 inches + 12 inches = 48 inches. If your fifth wheel trailer is 96 inches wide, take half (48 inches), then plug in: 48 - 48 = 0 inches of clearance.
NOTE: At least 4 inches of clearance is recommended to safely execute a 90 degree turn.
In this situation, a sliding fifth wheel hitch with 12 inches of additional travel would not be enough to safely execute a 90 degree turn. The solution for this would be to use a fixed fifth wheel hitch and Sidewinder pin box. A Sidewinder moves the pivot point 22 inches away from the truck, so the 12 inches in our formula would turn to 22 inches giving us 10 inches of clearance.
I have attached a help article on Sidewinders for you to check out. Sidewinders can only replace specific OEM pin boxes, so you will have to now the make and model number of the pin box to choose the correct Sidewinder. If you find that you need a Sidewinder, feel free to send me the pin box information and the year of your truck and I would be happy to find all of the parts that you will need.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- 14 - 18 Inch Tall
- Reese
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Shop: 5th Airborne Premium 5th Wheel Air Ride King Pin with Sidewinder - No Turret - 16,000 lbs
- Video: B and W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch Installation - 2022 GMC Sierra 3500
- Shop: B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Search Results: reese 18k fifth wheel hitch
- Search Results: sidewinder fifth wheel hitch
- Video: Reese Fifth Wheel King Pin - Pin Box Upgrade - 5AS16K Review
- Search Results: reese sidewinder
- Shop: Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Chevrolet/GMC Prep Package - 18K
- Search Results: demco autoslider
- Q&A: Does Truck with 6-1/2 ft bed Have to Use Slider Hitch for Turning Clearance with Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Video: Choosing the Best Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Search Results: 44649
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Shop: B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: What Is An OEM Prep Package And How Do I Know If I Have It
- Search Results: 68149
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Video: Review of B and W Fifth Wheel - Fixed Fifth Wheel - BWRVK3775
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Video: B and W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch with Slider Installation - 2022 GMC Sierra 2500
- Q&A: Seal With Dimensions to Replace 171255UC
- Search Results: 25580
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Shop: B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Article: Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Adapters
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement