Does Demco Hijacker Fifth Wheel Hitch Require Tailgate to be Removed on 2018 Ram 2500

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Question:

Is it normal to use this slider hitch with the tailgate on or off in a Ram 2500 shortbed? I would think off so when it slides backwards it would not hit the tailgate, but is there enough clearance that removal is not needed? Wondering what the normal practice is, if any. Thanks!

asked by: Mike

0

Expert Reply:

You can leave the tailgate on your 2018 Ram 2500 and still use the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider # DM8550034; it will not hit the tailgate.

A lot of times you may see trucks with the tailgate off or down when using a fifth wheel hitch because the gate does need to be lowered in order to couple or uncouple and it is oftentimes easier just to leave it off or down than to keep raising or lowering it.

Another option that is increasing in popularity is a 5th wheel tailgate, and for your 2018 Ram 2500 the Stromberg Carlson 4000 Series 5th Wheel Louvered Tailgate # VGD-10-4000 is what you'd want. This will replace your factory tailgate and allow you to use a fifth wheel hitch like the Hijacker without the constant raising and lowering you would otherwise have to do.

The Hijacker will mount in the bed of your 2018 Ram 2500 with the Demco Hijacker Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit # DM8552025-71, which are strongly recommended because they do not require any drilling into your truck bed to install, which is both good for your truck and makes the installation process simpler.

I have added links to video reviews of each of these parts for you to check out.

expert reply by: Kyle S

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Answer 1

Thank you for providing those measurements! Since your 5th wheel hitch height is 47 inches, subtracting the bed height of 39 inches gives us the 8 inches you mentioned which is technically the setting you would need to use on your Demco Hijacker…

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Answer 2

The head unit of your 5th wheel hitch should sit above or slightly in front of the rear axle on your 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 6-1/2' bed. The exact location though will be determined by where your base rails sit. We have a few different…

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Answer 3

I checked with Reese, who confirms that for the #RP50142-58 bracket/rail kit the correct dimension from the rear edge of the back hitch mounting rail to the rear edge of the bed (not the tailgate) is 28-15/16 inches. This applies to both the 5 foot 7…

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Answer 4

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 5

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 8

From what I could find it looks like your 122R (red) and 122Y (amber) lights measure 3.75" x 1.70" x .81". We don't have any replacement lense directly for the GLO-BRITE lights but we do have some similar lights that you could use…

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Answer 9

The difference between an load range C and load range D tire in the same size is the capacity and psi rating. The two tires will still have the same dimensions and fit on the same wheel. The D rated tire has a higher capacity. For a ST175/80D13 like…

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Answer 10

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 11

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from the…

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Answer 12

Load range B trailer tires are going to have a lower capacity than C load range tires. Basically that, psi rating, and the ply rating are the only differences. A higher load range tire would last a little longer than lower load ranges of the same…

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Does Demco Hijacker Fifth Wheel Hitch Require Tailgate to be Removed on 2018 Ram 2500

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