Why Recommend Fixed Hitch Over Sliding Hitch for 2016 Ram 2500 Short Bed and Trailer with Sidewinder

Question:

Im a bit confused about your recommendation for a hitch to joe. His question indicated he was going to purchase another 5th wheel down the road without a sidewinder pin box and asked if he could put in a slider hitch now. You said no because it would put the weight to far back on the axle causing ride and wear problems. As I understand it a slider like the curt R20 while in the forward position would put the weight where it should be for travel as that is the design, but then could be slid rearward for tight turn parking. While Joe has this 5th wheel with the turning point pin box, what is wrong in installing the slider or rail stile 5th wheel base such as the Curt R20 and locking it in the forward position so that he will have it in the future when he gets the new 5th whl that does not have a sidewinder?

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

While you can use a sliding fifth wheel hitch with a Sidewinder or Turning Point Pin Box, recommendations are made to try and provide the best solution for our customers. For someone with a short bed and a rotating turret, a fixed hitch is going to offer the best towing experience.

Fixed hitches provide a better ride than sliding hitches and there is also the consideration of the hitch and what else it provides. For example, on a 2016 Ram 2500 short bed with the factory prep package, the sliding Curt A20 # C16541 requires Adapter Rails # C16022, an unnecessary added cost. Without the prep package for this truck, the Curt A20 # C16541 fits Base Rails and Install Kit # C16427-204 but the sliding hitch won't allow the use of the lowest height setting, possibly inhibiting as level a ride as possible.

With the fixed versions like the Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ram Towing Prep Package - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs # RP30918, you won't need any adapters since the hitch fits right into the prep package. To use this fixed hitch with a sidewinder, you'll need Wedge # RP44FR to keep the king pin from rotating inside the hitch.

So while the future is a consideration to take into account, the full breadth of the current advantages of using a fixed hitch with a Sidewinder or Turning Point outweigh that factor: towing experience, comfort of ride and cost all make the fixed hitch easily the best option for a short bed 2016 Ram 2600 towing a fifth wheel trailer with a Sidewinder or Turning Point.