Parts Needed to Tow 5th Wheel with 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 5-1/2 Foot Bed with Crew Cab

Question:

What do we need to hook up a fifth wheel trailer. We have a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab with short box.5 ft 7in. Is this doable?

asked by: Al D

Expert Reply:

Short bed trucks like yours require a sidewinder to extend the turning radius (a sidewinder replaces the pin box on your 5th wheel trailer). You will also need a 5th wheel hitch, base rail kit and wiring to connect the Ram and trailer. Please refer to the attached articles concerning sidewinders and 5th wheels.

You will need to know the TW (tongue weight) and GTW (gross towing weight) for your particular 5th wheel to select an appropriate hitch but I can offer examples. I have included a link to our fitguide page for 5th wheels; you can filter product results shown by selecting the appropriate weight ratings for your trailer.

I have attached links to a representative16K Sidewinder and 16K hitch, just as examples. The Reese Sidewinder 5th Wheel, part # RP34FR, extends your clearance by 22 inches. Reese 5th Wheel Dual Jaw Trailer Hitch, part # RP30047 and Base Rail kit # RP30035-386 are rated for trailers up to 16K GTW. You will want to review page 12 of the attached instructions for the base rails, part # RP30035-386. You will also need a wiring harness to connect your Ram and trailer wiring; part # PK11893-11932 is a custom-fit harness for your 2009 Ram. I linked a video for this item.

If you wish to provide us with the pin box part number and TW and GTW ratings for your 5th wheel we can help you identify the correct hitch.