5th Wheel Trailer Hitch and Install Kit for a 2013 Ram 2500 Diesel Short Bed
Question:
I am exploring my options for installing a 5th Wheel Hitch in my 2013 Ram 2500 Diesel with at 64inch bed. However, in/over my bed I have a Roll nfoot Lock tonneau cover installed WITH a Roll nfoot Lock Cargo Manager movable gate that only has between 1.25inch and 1.5inch of clearance between the bottom of the Cargo Manager Gate and the top of the corrugated truck bed. The trailer I am planning to tow is a Wildcat 312QBX with ~1800lbs hitch weight and ~12K lbs potential overall loaded weight. I am not sure i need a slider hitch but am leaning that way because of caution. With this in mind I was curious how high the Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Dodge Ram - Carbide Finish, Code: C16426-204 rails extend off the top of the bed including any bolt heads, though in the pictures those appear to be installed off the flange and in turn should not be an issue? I was thinking of potentially using these rails with hitch Code: C16521. How reliable would the BandW options with Part Numbers: BWRVK3400-5W,BWGNRK1313-5W be? How heavy is the hitch portion when removed? Would the installation video for the 2005 Ram truck be the same for my 2013? Are there any other any other options by Reese or others that would have in bed rails that are 1inch in total height about the best or less?
asked by: Brad
Expert Reply:
I measured some Curt rails, the same as those used in installation kit # C16426-204 and they are 1-1/4 inches tall if you measure from the top of the bed corrugations. The bolts do go through the outer parts of the rails so the bolt head height would not be an issue. I have linked a video showing installation of this kit on a 2013 Ram.
The Reese options for your truck are the new taller rails that would not work for you.
On short bed trucks it is recommended to use a slider hitch to make tight turns so that you do not hit the truck and trailer together.
The complete head unit on the Curt A16 hitch # C16521 weighs about 80 pounds but that includes the center support section. the actual head if you were to disconnect it from the center section would be a little more than half that weight give or take a few pounds.
The B&W option is a completely different animal. for your Ram you would use installation kit # BWGNRK1313-5W for a model that is NOT a Mega Cab. If you did have a Mega Cab you would use # BWGNRK1308-5W. the same hitch fits both, # BWRVK3400-5W. Installation may not be exactly the same on the 2005 as on the 2013 but it will be close and using the video as a guide is fine. I have actually linked a video on a 2011 Ram for the non-Mega Cab model and a video for a 2012 on the Mega Cab model.
The B&W head weighs about the same as the Curt, around 65 pounds. B&W is very popular option since the hitches are made in the US. Curt also makes a good hitch and the A-Series feature a fully articulating torsion head as well for a smoother ride.
Products Referenced in This Question
Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Custom
- Below the Bed
- B and W
more information >
Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Custom
- Below the Bed
- B and W
more information >
B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Aftermarket Below Bed Rails
- 5000 lbs Vertical Load
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 17 - 19 Inch Tall
- 12 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- B and W
more information >
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 >
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