Do Jaws on Fifth Wheel Hitch Make A Difference in Hitch Quality for 2016 Ram 2500 Long Bed

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Question:

Thank you so much for a straight forward and understandable answer. I have a 2016 Ram 2500 long bed. What hitch do you recommend? Is the Reese an improvement for reasons of safety or just a nicer ride? When I bought the truck they said the holes were there to install a fifth wheel hitch. I would appreciate a recommendation for Reese hitch. Again, thank you.

asked by: Bruce S

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The jaws on a trailer hitch do make a big difference in terms of the quality of the hitch, and though that is not the only factor it is certainly an important one. Like any product, fifth wheel hitches come in different styles and price points, with the higher-quality hitches with robust jaw systems often a more premium option in terms of cost.

Your Pro Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch PS30119 is a fine option and many people use these for years and are perfectly happy with it, but its dual-jaw system is not going to give you as tight of a connection with your kingpin as the single-piece jaw on the Reese M5 Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30928, for example.

What this means is you are likely going to experience more rattle, chucking and jarring with your Pro Series than a hitch with a jaw system that provides a better connection to your kingpin.

I have added a link to our entire selection of fifth wheel hitches for you to check out or if you let me know your year, make, model and bed size of your truck I'd be more than happy to make a recommendation.

expert reply by: Kyle S

1

Bruce S.

4/24/2019

Thank you so much for a straight forward and understandable answer. I have a 2016 Ram 2500 long bed. What hitch do you recommend? Is the Reese an improvement for reasons of safety or just a nicer ride? When I bought the truck they said the holes were there to install a fifth wheel hitch. I would appreciate a recommendation for Reese hitch. Again, thank you.

Reply

Kyle S.

4/24/2019

Very happy to help and to answer your question your Pro Series is perfectly safe but a fifth wheel hitch with a better jaw system will improve your towing experience overall in terms of ride quality, as the amount of chucking and jarring (back and forth movement within the hitch) will be minimized, and the amount of noise will be reduced. A better hitch will also make your coupling and uncoupling process simpler. For a Reese hitch that fits in the puck system on your 2016 Ram 2500 I recommend the Reese 5th Wheel Hitch for Ram Towing Prep Package # RP30918 because of its forged jaw which is a single piece and is self-latching so you know it will always have optimal contact with your kingpin. This hitch will fit directly into the puck system of your '16 Ram 2500 and it to make it easier to guide the kingpin into the hitch it has a 9" wide funnel, which is 3" larger than most hitches, helping limit the frustration that can occur when trying to hook up to a hitch with a smaller radius. I have added a link to a couple video reviews of this hitch for you to check out.

Reply

Answer 1

The Curt A25 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ram Towing Prep Package #C16046 will work well with the Roto-Flex pin box. The combination will be a good match for you and this hitch with the specific connection to the factory prep package pucks will make…

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Answer 2

As long as the RBW Lil' Rocker mounts to industry standard base rails you'll need the Curt Adapter Rails #C29BR that fit in the OEM puck system on your 2019 Ram 2500 and give you a standard base rail connection. I'm attaching a photo…

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Answer 3

This is a great question. The B&W OEM Companion #BWRVK3715 and the Curt A25 #C24FR for the factory pucks on your 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 (congrats on the new truck, by the way!) represent the very peak of fixed 5th wheel hitches on the market.…

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Answer 4

Great question, Jeff! When the Rota-Flex first came out it renovated what a pin box could do and be, but at this point in time that technology is a little more dated and the Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel Pin Box #325-GH-8040 is the "new…

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Answer 5

Yes, you are going to also need the Demco Autoslide Capture Plates for Trailair Rota-Flex Pin Boxes #DM6171 when using the Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider #DM8550040 with your Road Armor pin box. For a suspension enhancement I…

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Answer 6

Congrats on the new trailer! You will need a sliding 5th wheel hitch. A standard fixed hitch like the Curt A20 item #C16140 won't provide you with the necessary clearance you'll need. You'll end up running the nose on your Dutchman into…

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Answer 7

Most standard pin boxes will not make a 90 degree turn in anything less than an 8 foot truck bed, but that is due to being too close to the cab - not the rails. You mentioned you wanted to replace the Rota-Flex with the Gen-Y hitch. Your old pin box…

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Answer 8

My personal recommendation would be for the M5 Series, part #RP30928. This fifth wheel hitch uses the single-jaw design to provide a comfortable ride while towing. To ensure that this hitch will work with your current rails, I am including a picture…

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Answer 9

I am going to send you a copy of the installation instructions for the M5 Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch #RP30928 in a separate email, inside them you will find the maintenance schedule. Basically you will need to check the tightness of the bolts…

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Answer 10

Trailer brake controllers such as the Prodigy P3 #90195 require a brake light switch signal to trigger the controller's output to the trailer brakes. The best way to access a brakes-only signal is at the COLD side of a vehicle's brake light…

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Do Jaws on Fifth Wheel Hitch Make A Difference in Hitch Quality for 2016 Ram 2500 Long Bed

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