Can I Tow a 5th Wheel Trailer While Using a Gooseneck Adapter with a Short Bed Ram 2500

Question:

Hello, I’m in the market for a Ram 2500 with a 6’4 bed. I’d be buying a gooseneck attachment for my trailer - but need to know if the trailer will clear the cab of the truck on right turns. Is there any info out there to figure this out? Thank you!

asked by: Eric

Expert Reply:

In order to tow a 5th wheel trailer using a Ram 2500 with the 6-1/2' bed you will need to use either a sliding 5th wheel hitch or a rotating pin box. The 5th wheel to gooseneck adapters that you are referring to will not work on a short bed truck because you will not have turning clearance between the cab of the vehicle and loft of the trailer. There are options out there such as the Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter part # CAB-C5GX1216 or the Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter part # AM3139 but these will only provide 7-1/2" to 8" of offset and ideally, you will need around 20" or so in order to execute a full 90 degree turn.

If you wanted to be absolutely certain then there is a formula you can use that I have attached for you however, odds are you won't have enough turning clearance with a short bed truck to use a 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter.

(A + B) - C = Clearance

A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw or center of hitch ball opening to truck cab
B = Length of kingpin past edge of trailer loft
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)

Please note that at least 4 inches of clearance is recommended to safely execute a 90 degree turn.

The best option you have for say a 2016 Ram 2500 would be to use the B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch part # BWGNRK1384 along with the B&W Companion Slider Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter part # BWRVK3400 as this will allow for both 5th wheel and gooseneck trailer connection points.