Fifth Wheel Rail Kit, Hitch and Sidewinder Recommendation for a 2013 Ram 3500 Short Bed

Question:

I have been looking for a 5th wheel hitch which will leave my bed flat when not in use and will also work with the Reese Sidewinder pin box. I have a 2013 Ram 3500 SRW with Rambox. It appears that the Reese Elite RP30142 mated to the rail kit RP30074 would fulfill these requirements. Am I correct on this? Thank you for your assistance.

asked by: Kevin B

Helpful Expert Reply:

Since you have a Rambox the only solution you have for towing a fifth wheel trailer is to use a Sidewinder pin box like what you said you were interested in. However, you should note that Reese does not confirm that the Sidewinder will work with the Rambox. We have only heard from people who have tried it and it did work for them.

Surprisingly there isn't an underbed Reese Elite setup I can recommend for your vehicle. I checked with Reese and the removed their listings for your vehicle.

The only solution I can provide for you is going to be an above the bed rail kit like the part # RP56010-53 and then a stationary hitch like the Reese 22k part # RP30033.

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.

expert reply by: Jameson C