Recommended Fifth Wheel Hitch Options For 2015 Ram 2500 Truck With Short Bed

Question:

I already own a 2015 Grand Design Solitude 375RE and I am in the process of buying a new pickup. Ive read several reviews about how short beds can tow a fifth wheel as long as you have a sliding hitch and if the trailer has a rounded front end. Would a 2015 Ram 2500 short bed 6.4, with a sliding fifth wheel hitch, be able to pull my trailer. I prefer the short bed pickup because it will fit in my garage.

asked by: Frank C

Expert Reply:

With the size of your new trailer I recommend a Sidewinder to replace the pin box. You can use the formula to calculate the distance you would get with a sliding fifth wheel hitch versus a Sidewinder, that will let you execute a 90 degree turn.

The formula is (A + B) - C = Clearance

A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab. (since you do not have a fifth wheel installed you can measure from about 1 or 2 inches in front of the center of the axle)

B = Length of Sidewinder arm = 22 inches

C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half).
For example: If the distance from the center of the hitch to the cab is 36 inches, 36 + 22 = 58.
If your fifth wheel trailer is 102 inches wide, take half (51), then plug in: 58 - 51 = 7 of clearance.

NOTE: At least 4 inches of clearance is recommended to safely execute a 90 degree turn.
If you want to let me know what the pin box is on your trailer I can make some recommendations that will work for you.

Since a Sidewinder cannot be used with a sliding fifth wheel hitch you can either elect to install a fixed fifth wheel hitch. If you have the factory rails in the new truck I recommend part # RP30918. This simply drops into the in-bed pucks.

If you do not have the factory rails, the fifth wheel hitch I recommend is the RP30928. This is a premium 20,000 lb fifth wheel hitch. For a custom installation kit I recommend part # RP56009-53.

If you decide to go with a rotating pin box you will need the custom wedge kit # RP44FR for both the # RP30918 and # RP30918.

For the formula above you can use a sliding hitch travel of 10 inches in place of the 22 for a Sidewinder to calculate clearance.

If you find you have the clearance for a sliding fifth wheel hitch, I recommend part # C16541. The round tube slides smoother than the square tube sliders and does not bind up as much. This hitch has a 2-jaw locking system that provides 360-degrees of jaw to king pin contact which means less rattle. This is a 20,000 lb hitch and has a 4 inch height adjustment.

If you have no factory rail kit in your new truck, I recommend the Curt Custom Install Kit, part # C16427-204. Using a custom kit cuts the installation time in half. This kit requires no drilling because it uses the attachment points beneath your truck bed.

You will also need the Reese 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Ram OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package, part # RP30154. This attaches to the sockets in the bed of the truck and provides standard above bed rails for your fifth wheel hitch.

I have attached a couple links to helpful articles you can take a look at.