Taller Slider Fifth Wheel Hitch Recommendation for a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500

Question:

2008 ram 2500 shortbed. need 5th wheel hitch slider for 8000lb 5th wheel camper. problem is i am only 2 inches from truck rails bed with the camper. im hoping there is a hitch that sits taller to give me the required 6inch clearance. i see there are adjustable ones available. which one will give me the most height? if not i am told flipping the axles is an option, or removing my airbags may lower my truck enough. I had my eye on the Reese 16k slider. will those Reese rails require drilling? also i have a rhino liner, will that make it more difficult to install rails? any help would be much appreciated. thanks

asked by: Adam S

Helpful Expert Reply:

Ideally you want to have 6 inches of clearance between the bed rail of the truck and the overhang of the trailer with the trailer sitting totally level. Going to a taller hitch can help but you will need to also be sure that your trailer sit high enough so that everything is level.

The Reese # RP30075 can be adjusted as high as 19-1/4 inches so it would be plenty tall. For install rails you would want the custom kit part # RP50140-58 that will minimize drilling and install time compared to a universal kit.

An over under kit can also be used to raise the suspension of the trailer.

The diameter of your trailer axle will determine the size of the parts that you will need to order. If your axle is 3 inches diameter, the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit, # K71-385-00, would be a great choice and if your axle is 2-3/8 inch diameter you could use the Over-Under Kit, # K71-384-00. These kits can be installed without welding but the manufacturer strongly recommends having the new spring seat tacked in place on the other side of the trailer axle.

Some refer to this process as "flipping the axles," but since axle has a slight bow to it you can't just flip them and reinstall them under the springs using the same spring seats. You have to install new spring seats on the opposite side of the axle so that it can be moved below the spring.

As long as your trailer matches the following three criteria an over-under kit would work well.

The trailer leaf spring stack is currently mounted under the axles
The trailer uses double-eye springs
And the trailer has 2-3/8 inch or 3 inch diameter round axles

If you cannot use an over/under conversion kit then the only other way to raise the height of the trailer is to have the old suspension hangers cut off and new, taller ones welded on by a qualified professional welder. I have included a link to the hanger main page for you.