5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Installation Kit and Base Rails for 2016 RAM 1500, 6 Foot Bed w/o ECODiesel

Question:

Im looking for a custom bracket and rail kit to fit my 2016 Ram 1500 crew cab with 6 foot 4inch bed. Spray in bed-liner, Hemi v8, no air suspension. There does not appear to be a kit made specifically for my truck at this time. I need to pull an ultralite Jayco 35ft 5th Wheel with a Reese Sidewinder Pin approx 9000#. Which hitches are compatible with the reese sidewinder? I noticed on a previous post, you said the Curt Q series was not compatible with the Reese, but was that before additional wedges were available?

asked by: Mel

Expert Reply:

For your 2016 Ram 1500, 6 foot bed without ECODiesel, you will want the Reese Quick-Install Custom Base Rails and Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches # RP50142-58. This is a custom fit installation kit for your truck, and I confirmed it is the correct fit with my contact at Reese.

I have linked the installation instructions for the kit for you.

The 20K and 24K Curt Q Series 5th wheel hitches are not compatible with a Sidewinder, but you can use the Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs # C16115 with Sidewinder Wedge # C16991.

Aside from the Curt E16, another great 5th wheel option that will work well with your Sidewinder is the Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30928. This 5th wheel hitch offers a towing capacity of 20,000 pounds. Reese offers the Custom Wedge Kit # RP44FR to prevent the king pin from pivoting in the jaws of the # RP30928.

Since your trailer already has a Sidewinder installed, a fixed 5th wheel hitch would work well.

However, if you think you will need to tow a trailer without a Sidewinder in the future, a sliding 5th wheel hitch is needed to provide the clearance necessary to complete sharp turns. The Curt A16 is available with a slider as part # C16521, and the Reese Select Plus has a slider with part # RP30084.

A sliding feature of a sliding hitch does not need to be used when the trailer has a sidewinder. If you decide to go with a sliding hitch, you will want to keep the hitch locked as close to the cab of the truck as possible, since the Sidewinder will provide plenty of clearance to make turns.