Adapter for Towing 5th Wheel with Goose Neck Hitch in Short-Bed Ram 3500 with Rambox  

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The Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter # CAB-C5GX1216 allows a 5th wheel trailer to be pulled by a gooseneck-equipped tow vehicle. This particular adapter provides 7-1/2-inches of offset for a bit more cab-to-trailer clearance and it incorporates internal polyurethane cushions that act as shock absorbers. Do note it is not compatible with Sidewinder/Revolution pin boxes nor with any air ride cushioned 5th wheel pin boxes. The Convert-A-Ball Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapter # CAB-C5GX1216 is not compatible with the OEM tow package as it will damage the plastic latch on top of the ball.

Any short bed truck and also Ram pickups with the Ram Box feature are not ideal for 5th wheel towing applications. Both of these features reduce clearance. Short beds can put the rear of the cab in harm's way (it can be hit by the trailer overhang during tight turns) and the Rambox feature reduces side-to-side clearance inside the bed rails. Some hitch makers do not recommend installing a 5th wheel hitch in trucks with the Rambox feature.

Reese's official stance on the matter is that Dodge Ram trucks equipped with the Ramboxes can't be used for fifth wheel towing. The Ramboxes make the inside dimension of the bed narrower than usual, so the fifth wheel pin box will very likely strike the inside of the bed rails. Still, they have had customer reports that using a Sidewinder makes fifth wheel towing possible by moving the pivot point far enough rearward (22 inches).

The linked article on Sidewinders will let you determine if one is offered for your pin box; this route will give you more clearance than the adapter; Sidewinders move the pivot point rearward by a full 22-inches.

expert reply by: Adam R

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