5th Wheel Hitch Towing in Short Bed Ram with Rambox

Question:

I have a 2015 Ram with 5 1/2 foot box, factory installed air suspension, 5.7 hemi, and Ram Box. Do you have an autoslide hitch you can recommend? The write up doesn’t confirm compatibility with Demco hitches. Thanks

asked by: Byron W

Expert Reply:

Demco's 13K Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel hitch # DM8550040 will fit the # DM8552030-71 rail kit which does work with your factory air suspension install. However, your truck cannot use a slider hitch.

Beds that are 6-1/2-feet can get by with a slider but because you have a very short 5-1/2-foot bed with the Rambox feature the only way to tow a 5th wheel is with a standard fixed hitch like # RP30928 and a Sidewinder, Revolution or Turning Point pivoting pin box on the trailer. The Ramboxes are not an ideal companion for a 5th wheel hitch installation due to the reduced clearance for the trailer pin box. This is why a Sidewinder, which moves the pivot point 22-inches to the rear, is needed. The Sidewinder will remain stationary in the hitch jaws by using a wedge to lock it straight and its rear rotating turret will become the pivot point.

Sidewinders are explained in the linked article which includes a table showing compatibility with the more popular OEM pin boxes. The Lippert 1621 and 1621HD are common OEM pin boxes and we have several Sidewinders that will bolt right up in place of these, parts # RP34FR and # RP61422.

These three Sidewinders all replace the 1621/1621HD but they differ just a bit. Part # RP34FR is a standard 20K replacement and # RP61422 is a 16K Sidewinder that also includes an air spring to cushion the ride. I strongly recommend this cushioned model if a 16K rating is suitable for your trailer.