How to Tow a Fifth Wheel Trailer with a 2010 Dodge Ram with 5-1/2 foot Bed

Question:

Ok.. I previously owned a 2006 GMC Extended cab pick up Sierra 1500. I purchased a Curt 5th Wheel Hitch Slider 16K for it to tow my 5th wheel camper. Worked good. Now..I recently traded trucks and go a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX4 and guess what I found out.. that the 5 1/2 ft bed can not have a hitch installed in it. Is this true? Will the sidewinder work with the Curt hitch? Can I still use the Sidewinder with a slide hitch? Sounds like I am looking at lots of money!! Any suggestions?

asked by: Mark C

Expert Reply:

You can tow a fifth wheel trailer with your 2010 Dodge Ram 1500, but you will need a Sidewinder pin box on your trailer so that you have clearance to make tight turns.

Sidewinder cannot be used on the A series of Curt hitches, like # C16521, as the jaws are too wide. If it is the E-series like part # C16115 that has the narrower jaws they can be used.

You will need to remove the pin box of the trailer and replace it with a Sidewinder pin box. Sidewinders are pin box specific so you will first need to know what pin box you have now in order to pick out the correct one.

There should be a sticker or a stamping on the OEM pin box of the trailer that will list the pin box number that is on the trailer.

Once you figure out which pin box you have you can check the FAQ I attached that has a chart that shows the correct Sidewinder to get based on which pin box you have.

For install rails you will want the part # RP30035-386.