Hitch Recommendation For 2011 Ram 2500
Question:
Ill be pulling a 2012 Dutchmen Denali thats 30foot long, 8foot wide, and 7500 lbs dry weight with a rounded front cap with a 2011 Ram 2500 with a 6foot 5inch bed. Do I really need a slider hitch or would a stationary hitch work since the trailer has a rounded front cap? What hitch and rails would you recommend? Thanks!
asked by: Wade
Expert Reply:
Slider hitches give you a better turning clearance but are not mandatory for smaller beds. If you wanted to use a regular hitch you could but could face some issues when trying to make tighter turns that a slider could help you avoid. Below I've attached a formula we use to determine how much clearance you'll have:
(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab (The length of the slider fore/aft travel will increase this number)
B = Length of the pin box on your camper
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)
You'll want to have a minimum of 4" of clearance when making a 90 degree turn.
I highly recommend using a slider in all beds under 8' to help avoid any damage to the camper or cab of the truck.
I recommend the Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000lbs # C16521 and the Curt Semi-Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Dodge Ram 2500/3500 - Carbide Finish # C16420-204 as it will give you the longest fore/aft travel at 12" in the 16K weight class.
Products Referenced in This Question
Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Dodge Ram - Carbide Finish
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Custom
- Above the Bed
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Cushioned Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 17-1/2 - 21-1/2 Inch Tall
- 12 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Hanger Spacing Dimensions for Installing Double-Eye Leaf Springs on a Trailer
- Q&A: Replacement 5 Leaf Slipper Spring for a Tandem Axle Dump Trailer with Two 6K Axles
- Q&A: Adding Brakes to a Mobile Home Axle
- Q&A: Does Truck with 6-1/2 ft bed Have to Use Slider Hitch for Turning Clearance with Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Q&A: Installation Information for the Replacement Cables for Enclosed Trailer Ramp Spring # ERS160D96
- Q&A: Can Hydraulic Brakes of Demco Tow Dolly be Converted to Electric Brakes
- Article: What To Look For When Buying Ratchet Straps
- Article: How to Install E-Track in 3 Easy Steps
- Q&A: Is Demco 21K Recon Compatible with Lippert Turning Point for a 2015 Ford F-150 with 5-1/2' Bed
- Article: Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Adapters
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Article: Ram Trailer Tow Prep Package
- Article: Sidewinder with Rotating Turret for Short Bed Pickups
- Article: Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Information and Installation Tips