Fifth Wheel Towing with 2016 Ram 3500 Equipped with Ram Boxes

Question:

Will a 5th wheel hitch fit with a Ram box on the truck. I am looking at getting a 2016 Ram 3500 with the Ram box and want to make sure I can fit a 5th wheel hitch in the bed? Thank you for your time.

asked by: Chris H

Expert Reply:

The problem isn't with the hitch fitting, the problems are that the 5th wheel's pin box strikes the sides of the bed during turns. The only way a fifth wheel hitch can be used in a Ram Box equipped truck would be to use a Reese Sidewinder. The sidewinder moves the pivot between the trailer and the hitch from where the king pin and hitch jaws meet to where the pin box attaches to the 5th wheel. This moves the pivot point 22 inches rearward, preventing the pin box from hitting the sides of the truck. The second problem is that just about every 5th wheel hitch out there has a latching handle that pulls outward. Because the bed of a Ram Box equipped truck is narrower than non-Ram Box equipped models, the handle can't be pulled out far enough so the jaws can be fully opened.

We've found that the B&W Patriot, part # BWRVK3255 works well because the handle pivots forward instead of out. So, using the # BWRVK3255 Patriot, the # BWRVK2605 install kit and the proper Sidewinder replacement pin box will allow you to successfully tow a 5th wheel with your Ram Box equipped truck. The Sidewinder model needed will depend on the manufacturer and model number of your OEM pin box. There should be a sticker or a plate on it that will provide this information.

I'll link you to our selection of Sidewinder models. Simply look for the filters on the side of the page, find your Pin Box model number, click on the correct model number and you'll see the Sidewinder and Air-Ride Sidewinder options available.

To install a 7-way in your truck bed, you can use # C56000.