Is Slider Hitch Required to Tow 5th Wheel Trailer w/2015 Ram 2500 Short Bed w/Factory Prep Package
Question:
Cougar 323MKS 5th Wheel Just bought the 5th wheel and looking for the right hitch. Dealer is recommending a slider. Is that necessary? I have a puck/prep system in the bed. I also have a Rol and Lock top on the bed and want to be able to close it with the hitch in the truck, even if I have to take the head off. Clearance is 17.5inch with the top closed. Open to you recommendation. Truck is a 2015 Ram 2500 6.4L Mega Cab with a short bed. 5th wheel is listed above. Weight is 9690 dry. I prefer not to use extra rails, but im open.
asked by: Michael C
Expert Reply:
In most situations a slider hitch is a requirement for a short bed truck towing a 5th wheel trailer. There are some exceptions. If the trailer was designed specifically to be towed by a short bed truck (it will have a tapered front end and be advertised as such) then a fixed hitch is fine. If the trailer comes with a Revolution/Sidewinder pin box a fixed hitch can be used.
If neither is true and/or a Sidewinder cannot be installed in place of the factory pin box AND the truck bed is 6 feet long or more but less than 8 feet a slider is needed.
Your 2015 Ram 2500 has the 6 foot bed but there aren't any sliders that are a direct fit to the factory puck system. Therefore an adaptor will be required. What I recommend is adapter # DM6099 with Demco hitch # DM8550035 rated for 21K or # DM8550034 for an 18K capacity. In either case the minimum hitch height would be approximately 16-1/4 inches.
These hitches offer the most travel at 14 inches front to back and they slide automatically. With the 14 inches of travel the trailer will not hit the truck cab when making 90 degree turns.
To make sure there are some measurements you can take. First you would measure the distance from the center line of the hitch to the back of the truck cab. Since you have the puck system you can measure from the center point between the pucks to the truck cab. Then add 14 inches for the travel of the slider.
Next, look at the location of the king pin on the trailer relative to the front of the trailer. If the center of the king pin is out in front of the trailer then you would add the distance from the center of the king pin to the front of the trailer. If the king pin is recessed under the trailer then you would subtract that distance.
And last measure the overall width of the front of the trailer and divide by 2 to get half.
So let's say your hitch center to cab measurement is 36 inches. Add 14 for the slider to get 50 inches. Then let's say the king pin is 6 inches out it front of the trailer. Add that to 50 to get 56 inches.
And for the trailer let's say it is 8-1/2 feet wide or 102 inches. Half is 51 inches. Hitch to cab measurement, 56 inches in this example, is at least 4 inches MORE than half the width of the trailer, 51 inches in this example, then you can safely make 90 degree turns.
Products Referenced in This Question
Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Ram OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package - 25,000 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Adapters
- Rail Adapter
- Demco
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Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4500 lbs Vertical Load
- 18000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- 16-1/2 - 19-1/4 Inch Tall
- 14 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- Demco
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Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 21,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Aftermarket Below Bed Rails
- 5250 lbs Vertical Load
- 21000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- 15-1/4 - 18 Inch Tall
- 14 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- Demco
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ram Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Aftermarket Below Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Cushioned Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 14 - 18 Inch Tall
- CURT
more information >
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