Placement of Bed Rails in Bed of 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 for Reese 30035 5th Wheel Install Kit

Question

Question:

Im looking to install Part# RP30035 which I purchased from you guys a while back for my 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 Longbed 8ft. Do you have the measurements for installation on my truck? Also, what Size drill bits do I need to use?

asked by: Eric H

0

Expert Reply:

If you click the provided link, you can see the installation instructions. The instructions specific to your 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 begin on sheet 13, and measurements are shown.

The rearmost bed rail would be installed so its back edge is 32-7/16 inches forward of the rear edge of the truck bed, and the hitch itself would be used to place the front rail. When the hitch is installed, the king pin center will sit about 2 inches forward of the rear axle centerline.

You'd need a 3/16, a 17/32 and a 1 inch drill bit.

expert reply by: Mike L

0

click to enlarge

Answer 1

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two…

view full answer...

Answer 2

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion…

view full answer...

Answer 3

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from…

view full answer...

Answer 4

The Ram OEM 5th wheel puck system, shown in the linked photo and article, was launched in 2013 so what you have in your truck is likely to be an aftermarket installation of some kind. These newer Ram trucks with the factory prep can directly accept…

view full answer...

Answer 5

To get the B&W Patriot #BWRVK3200 to work with your 2006 Dodge Ram you're going to need a set of 5th wheel rails #DM8552016-71. These rails are custom fit to your vehicle so they'll just bolt right up to the frame. It is worth mentioning…

view full answer...

Answer 6

So for your set up, a 2021 Ram 2500 short bed with the RamBoxes, you will need to use a Sidewinder in order to have the clearance to tow a 5th wheel. The Goose Box doesn't move the pivot point and an offset ball just won't be enough for…

view full answer...

Answer 7

The Patriot Slider part #BWRVK3270 might be a bit more noisy than the Companion slider part #BWRVK3400 due to the increased number of mounting points, 4 at the corners vs. 1 in the center. Probably not that noticeable and certainly not something…

view full answer...

Answer 8

It sounds like you could have a set of standard fifth wheel rails that most manufacturers use for their fifth wheel hitches to install into. The different manufacturers all make their own brand of rail kit, but they all have basically the same…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Gen-Y's calculation for pin weight is a safe guess, but isn't the most accurate so the only way you'll get the correct capacity Gen-Y 5th Wheel Pin Box is to fully load the trailer and go to a commercial scale to measure the pin weight.…

view full answer...

Answer 10

Yes you are - all 5th wheel hitches are going to require some type of rails in order to be used. So you'd need #DM8552016-71 for your 2006 Dodge Ram.

view full answer...

Answer 11

You do not have to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch in a short bed truck. In many cases, truck beds shorter than 8 ft do not have enough clearance between the trailer and truck to execute sharp turns. This is why sliding hitches were invented. Due to…

view full answer...