Recommended Autosliding 5th Wheel Hitch for a 2016 Ram 3500 With Factory Puck System

Question:

Good Morning John, thanks so much for your response and recommendation of the side winder. I believe that will be the way I go. The model number on my pin box is RPB72 1716 MOR/RYDE. can you recommend a hitch that will work with factory installed puck system and a side winder that will replace the pin box. thanks you.

asked by: John W

Expert Reply:

Yes, we have a great option for you to use an autosliding 5th wheel hitch with your 2016 Ram 3500.

Demco has their Hijacker series Autosliding 5th Wheel Hitches which will work perfect for your application.The Hijacker that I recommend for you, part # DM8550034, is rated for 18,000 lbs. This 5th wheel hitch will use the bed rails, part # DM6099 which is compatible with your factory puck system. This is my favorite 5th wheel hitch in the sliding category not just because of the autosliding feature, but because of the way that the king pin connects to the 5th wheel head. It uses a wraparound single jaw that provides a 360 degree jaw-to-king-pin contact which helps to prevent jarring and chucking, plus it has a locking bar that automatically locks into place once your trailer is connected, giving you some added security.

If convenience and turning clearance are high on your priority list, then another option that you may be interested in place of an automatic sliding hitch is using a Sidewinder, like part # RP34FR, and a fixed 5th Wheel hitch that mounts into the pucks in your bed without using an adapter, like the B&W Companion, # BWRVK3600.

The Sidewinder moves the pivot point of your trailer from directly over the 5th wheel hitch in your Ram, to the point where your pin box connects to your trailer. Using a Sidewinder will give you an additional 22 inches of turning clearance as opposed to autoslide options which give you 14 inches of turning clearance.

If you choose to go with a Sidewinder, just let me know what the make and model is of your OEM pin box and I can recommend which Sidewinder you will need to use for your application. I have also attached a link directly to our 5th Wheel King Pin options for you as well.

If you do not already have a 7-Way installed in your Ram truck bed, I recommend getting the Curt Wiring Harness, part # C56000, which is a nice plug-n-play option.

I have attached some demonstration videos and a helpful link for you as well.

expert reply by: Jon G

John

3/7/2017

Jon G.

3/7/2017

You have 2 different Sidewinder options that I recommend for your 1716 MOR-RYDE. Even though they are both upgrades, one of them offers more cushion than the other one. The Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret, part # RP34FR is the non-cushioned option with a Gross Towing Weight of 20,000 lbs and will require spacer kit # RP97FR. This is more like the bare-bones choice which pretty much just provides that extra turning clearance. The 5th Airborne Premium 5th Wheel Air Ride King Pin with Sidewinder and Turret, # RP61412, is rated for 16,000 lbs and is the upgrade to the previously mentioned Sidewinder. The 5th Airborne uses a custom-tuned air spring in the air ride coupler which helps to cushion and absorb shock for a smooth ride. The 5th Wheel Hitch that I recommend for you is the Demco Hijacker, part # DM6076P-16K, along with the 5th Wheel Rail Adapter, part # DM6099. This 5th wheel hitch has the same features as the autosliding Hijacker that I recommended the first time, except this one does not have the sliding feature. You just insert the rail adapter into the pucks of your Ram which provides the needed rails for the Hijacker to install in your truck bed.