What 5th Wheel Hitch Should Be Used in a 2014 Ram 1500 with 5-1/2 Bed

Question:

I have 2014 Ram and we were given a Husky 16K slider hitch set up with the purchase of our travel trailer from a friend. In my research I have seen where it is not recommended to use this hitch with any bed length shorter than 6.5. Is this simply because the slider only rolls out 9 inches and that is not enough room to fully clear the cab of the truck? Or, is there some other issue that is created with the use of this hitch. I am VERY experienced with towing trailers of all sorts and can deal with a larger turning/backing radius even if it still could hit the cab as long as this set up with structurally work. I know a pin box extension would be preferred and optimal to achieve full cab clearance but its hard to beat free. I just dont want to make sure there are no other issues besides the clearance issues. I am going to have the hitch professionally installed as long as it will work.

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

You are correct, the reason that the Husky 16K sliding hitch is not recommended for truck beds shorter than 6-1/2 ft is because the short slide travel does not provide enough turning clearance for sharp turns. If you understand your turning limitations and you are comfortable heading out on your trip with those limitations, then you can use this hitch.

However, if you feel uncomfortable with using the Husky slider hitch, I have a couple of recommendations that you might want to review for your application.

For a slider hitch on your 2014 Ram 1500 with the 5-1/2 bed, I recommend the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider, # DM8550040. The Demco slider has a travel distance of 22-1/2 inches, allowing for enough clearance for making turns without worry of hitting the cab of your vehicle. The Demco hitch is an auto-slider, meaning the slider will engage without you leaving the cab of your truck. However, the Demco Hijacker Hitch is not as cost efficient as the Husky hitch and is only rated at 13,000 lbs.

Another option would be to install a standard 5th wheel hitch and a Sidewinder pin box on your trailer. A Sidewinder, like the Reese Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret # RP34FR, can move the pivot point 22 inches toward the rear of the vehicle. The extra distance will give you more clearance and allow you to make the 90-degree turns with the short bed vehicle.

King Pin boxes are manufacturer specific on trailers. You will need to know the your pin box's manufacturer and part number when picking out the correct Sidewinder pin box. This information can be found on a ID label located on the pin box of your trailer.

I recommend the Reese M5 5th wheel hitch # RP30928, and the Curt Custom-Fit 5th Wheel Installation Kit, # C16444-204. The Reese hitch is rated at 20,000 lbs and has an adjustable head height from 14-18 inches.

You will need the Reese Sidewinder Wedge Kit # RP44FR to secure the Sidewinder king pin into the 5th Wheel Hitch.

I have linked a couple or product review videos and an article on the sidewinder king pin box.