Would 2015 Ram 3500 Need Suspension Enhancement to Tow 13k Fifth Wheel Trailer

Question:

Im about to buy 2012 Cedar Creek 39 foot. My questions are the trailer weighs 13,000 lbs. more or less. Do I need air bags in the rear if Im towing a 5th wheel? I know my 2015 Ram 3500 HD dually 6.7 diesel 4x4 with the factory rail system,will pull it, but Im not sure of the height adjustments . Do you know if the 20KCURT Q20 5th Wheel Hitch with Ram OEM Legs #16045 will have enough height adjustment for this trailer? Thanks,

asked by: Mike D

Expert Reply:

Your 2015 Ram 3500 with a Cummins diesel has one of the highest towing capacities ever seen on a truck before. I would be highly surprised if you would need suspension enhancement to tow a 13k fifth wheel trailer. That being said if you wanted to install an air bag kit the part # F2615 is a confirmed fit for your 4WD truck.

As for height adjustment that hard to say for the part # C16530-16021. This hitch has a height range of 13 to 17 inches.

What you will do is park the truck and trailer on level ground. Using the landing gear/jacks on the 5th wheel to make it level, then measure from the ground to the bottom of the pin box skid plate, not the king pin, and record the measurement.

Next measure from the ground to the top of the skid plate on the 5th wheel hitch and record it. Adjust either the height of the 5th wheel head or the king pin on the trailer or both to get the measurements as close to the same as you can.

If that distance is between 13 and 17 inches the Curt hitch would work as that is it's adjustment range.

expert reply by: Jameson C