5th Wheel Trailer Hitch and Installation Kit for a 2016 Ram 3500 Short Bed with Ram Boxes

Question:

Can you provide parts number for my 2016 Dodge 3500 short bed 6.4 with Ram boxs? Adam suggested 20000 lbs hitch. Current hitch suggested BandW Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs

asked by: Jim

Expert Reply:

Based on your earlier question you indicated that the trailer has a gross weight capacity of 18,000 pounds so you would want a hitch that exceeds that for safety. the other issue is the Ram Box feature. The Ram Boxes mean that you will have to have one of two possible set ups:

1) A fixed 5th wheel hitch with a Sidewinder pin box

2) A Demco hitch that has 22-1/2 inches of travel

The second option will not work because that hitch has a capacity of 13,000 pounds. So you will need to use a fixed hitch with a Sidewinder. there are only certain 5th wheel hitches recommended for this set up because there is limited space to use the hitch handle on Ram Box models.

Four of the size recommended hitches will only work if the truck and trailer are parked on level ground when hooking up or unhooking the trailer. Because of that and because of the capacity of the trailer I recommend just one hitch, Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Single Jaw - 20,000 lb # RP30928 with Wedge # RP44FR.

And for an above the bed 5th wheel installation kit use # RP50085-58.