What Height Setting Should the Hijacker Autoslide # DM8550034 be on a 2017 Ram 2500

Question:

Hi, The Demco 18K Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch and matching 25K Demco bed rail bracket arrived today in good shape. My tow vehicle is a 2017 Ram Cummins 4x4 Short Bed. The bed of the truck is quite high compared to a 4x2 model. For my 4x4 vehicle, how do I determine which set of holes to use when assembling the side mounting brackets to the hitch assembly? Given the rather tall height of the trucks bed relative to ground, I assume the set of holes that positions the hitch in its lowest position is the place to start. Would you agree?

asked by: Chuck B

Expert Reply:

We always recommend having at least 5" - 6" of clearance between the bed rails of your pickup, in this case your 2017 Ram 2500, and the trailer. The trick is that you also want your trailer to tow level.

To find out what height your 5th wheel hitch needs to be you first of all need to measure from the ground to the king pin on your pin box. Then you need to measure from the ground to the bed of your Ram. The Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter # DM6099 that you are using adds an additional 1-3/8" of height to your bed since that is what your Hijacker Autoslide # DM8550034 mounts to.

From here you simply choose which height setting (15-1/4", 16-1/2", and 18") is the best for your application. If you don't have the proper bed rail clearance with your trailer level then you may need to add a little height to your 5th wheel trailer. Let me know if this is the case and I can help you clear your bed rails while keeping your towing rig level.

expert reply by: Jon G