Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with B&W Gooseneck Hitch in a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 Short Bed

Question:

I am looking for options that will afford me safety, turning radius, and comfort, all without voiding my warrantee on my 5th wheel trailer...in other words Id like to have my cake and eat it too -: I have an 09foot Dodge Ram 3500 DRW Megacab with the shortbed and a BandW turnover ball installed in the bed. I am purchasing a 37, 14000GVW 5th wheel with a Lippert frame and 1621 pinbox. I am concerned about turning radius and truck cab damage as well as the hitch hitting the side bedrails as I had with my previous 5th wheel with an Anderson extended Ranch hitch hitting my siderails and severely limiting my turning radius. In addition Id love to avoid as much of the chuckinginch and jarring as possible. Can you please give me guidance on my options and what you think would work the best for our situation. Ive looked at a number of QandAs here and saw one #97241 which gave me pause because of needing an offset ball because of the shortbed. Im also not clear on siderail issues and if the offset ball will give me enough clearance to the cab. Ive also looked into the Anderson Ultimate 5th wheel Connection but didnt see how it worked with our issues and getting riding comfort. Thanks in advance! Julie

asked by: Julie B

Helpful Expert Reply:

I have the perfect option for your 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 and 5th wheel trailer. First, since you have a B&W Turnover ball hitch the option that is going to give you clearance and improve ride quality is a combination of the Curt X5 adapter, # 16310, and a cushioned slider 5th wheel hitch, # C16521 rated for 16K or # C16541 rated for 20K.

The slider will travel 12 inches for addition clearance when making tight turns. And the heads on these hitches are cushioned to improve ride quality and reduce chucking.

For the bed rail height, you want at least 5 inches from the tops of the bed sides to the bottom of the trailer overhang. The hitches are height adjustable as are most 5th wheel trailer pin boxes. Between those two adjustments there shouldn't be a height clearance problem.

With the slider and short bed truck you may need to remove the tailgate or use a 5th wheel tailgate such as # VGD-02-100 or # VGD-02-4000.

The bed width also should not be a problem at all if you have the proper height adjustment made.