Recommended Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch for 2018 Ram 2500 Short Bed Pickup with Factory Prep
Question:
Looking to buy a 5th wheel hitch for 2018 3500 ram PU with a 6-5inch bed I will be towing 2015 Glacier Peak F26CIS built by Outdoors RV, 12,995 lbs max, 2,430 max pin wt. I am looking at the following hitches. Band W companion duel jaw 20K , manual slider Demco Hijacker 16k single jaw, manual slider Reese 16K duel jaw , manual slider My concerns are which hitch is better a single jaw or duel jaw? Which one is the easiest on un-level ground. quietest ride hooked up going down the road Thanks for your help
asked by: David G
Expert Reply:
In your short-bed Ram 3500 that has the factory rail kit the available slider-type 5th wheel hitches offer slider travel that ranges from 8- to 14-inches. All are shown on the linked page.
Single-jaw designs often have less rattle and they also typically have fewer parts, which can be considered advantages. But certain dual jaw hitches can still be considered superior to certain single-jaw types.
B&W makes superb products like their Companion 5th wheel slider # BWRVK3670 which will drop right into your factory pucks with no other parts needed. This is a double jaw hitch with 12-inches of slider travel. It is built to an exceptionally high standard; the machined jaw components are a full 1-inch thick. B&W does their own in-house fabrication and so they can deliver an over-built hitch like the 20K Companion at a competitive price.
But since your 2015 Glacier Peak F26CIS does not have a tapered overhang (to improve turning clearance) I strongly recommend the 14-inch-sliding Demco 18K hitch # DM8550034 along with the install kit # DM6099. Your money gets you a single-jaw hitch head that provides maximum turning clearance as well as the auto-sliding function which is a true benefit that you will appreciate every day you tow. No getting out of the truck to manually release a slider. It also has a fully-articulating head for easier hitching on uneven ground and built-in cushioning to help reduce noise and absorb road shock.
This 18K hitch has plenty of extra capacity (safety margin) for your application. You can check out our customers' reviews on this hitch. Their overall rating is excellent.
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
more information >
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
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider for Ram Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- OEM - Ram
- 5000 lbs Vertical Load
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 17 - 19 Inch Tall
- 12 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- B and W
more information >
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