5th Wheel Hitch Clearance on 2014 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup

Question:

I have a 2014 ram 3500 without duals. Should the Curt A20 fifth wheel hitch be above or below the rails to pull a 2015 forest river Cherokee 265b 30 ft trailer??

asked by: Kip

Expert Reply:

5th wheel hitch installations will depend on your truck's bed length and whether it has the factory 5th wheel rail kit. Correct hitch height relative to your truck's bed rails will also vary depending on the trailer pin box height, which can be adjusted by repositioning the pin box on the trailer mounting wings.

The installation options for your truck can be seen by clicking on the included link. Select your 3500 truck style to see suitable hitches and installation kits.

For example, if you have a 6 Foot Bed with Factory Rail Kit you will use the Reese adapter # RP30154 which adds 2-inches of height to your chosen hitch, such as the Curt # C16541 that you referenced. This may give you worthwhile additional clearance at the bed rails. In general you want 5 to 6 inches of clearance between the tops of the bed rails and the bottom of the trailer overhang.

Please refer to the linked diagram that shows you all recommended clearance dimensions.

expert reply by: Adam R