Will the 8 Inch Offset on the Ranch Hitch Adapter be Enough for a Short Bed 2000 Dodge Ram 2500

Question:

will the 8 inch off-set work

asked by: James

Expert Reply:

The Ranch Hitch Offset Gooseneck Coupler Adapter, # AM3139, is designed to give you 8 inches of additional clearance between your fifth wheel trailer and the back of your truck bed tail gate. This adapter will also allow you to make a sharper turn, however, it is not designed to prevent contact between your trailer and the cab of your truck.

If you are looking for a product that will allow you to make a 90 degree turn, then you will need to look at a sliding fifth wheel hitch or fifth wheel hitch and a sidewinder pin box. Sliding hitches and sidewinder pin boxes will extend the pivot point away from the cab of the truck providing enough clearance to make a 90 degree turn. The offset gooseneck adapters will provide additional clearance, but they do not change the pivot point, which does not allow for a 90 degree turn.

A sliding fifth wheel hitch will give you either 10 or 12 inches of additional clearance depending on the hitch that you are interested in and a sidewinder pin box will provide 22 inches of additional clearance.

If you are interested in adding a sliding hitch or a sidewinder, then just send me the length of your truck bed and the width of your trailer so I can make a more specific recommendation for you. I have also attached two help articles for you to review covering sidewinders and towing with a short bed truck.

expert reply by: Michael H