5th Wheel Hitch for 2019 Ram 3500 Mega Cab Short Bed with OEM Prep Package and RhinoBox King Pin

Question

Question:

In your instructional video, you very specifically say this part is for Rams with 5th wheel/gooseneck prep package AND 8foot bed. I just purchased a 2019 Ram 3500 mega cab, SRW, with the 5th wheel prep package and a 64inch bed. Are you suggesting this particular 5th wheel hitch wont work in my truck for some reason because of the shorter bed? And a somewhat related question ... because I have the 64inch bed, I want to replace the king pin on my Alliance Paradigm to a top pivot. The Alliance units use the new Lippert RhinoBox pin box part #2020. As near as I can tell, Reese doesnt make a Sidewinder that mates up to the RhinoBox. Am I correct?? If so, is their an alternative to the Sidewinder that WILL mount to the Rhino Box?? Or should I consider a slider to get my RV back from the cab?? I hesitate on the slider only because my pin weight is 3200#s on this unit, and Id like to keep that over the axle.... You guys have always been great to work with ... appreciate your professional advice this one. Ive moved to this truck from a 2018 Ram 3500 dually, with an 8foot bed, and want to make sure I get this setup right the first time. Thanks for your time!

asked by: Patrick D

0

Expert Reply:

Having a 2019 Ram 3500 Mega Cab, SRW, 6-1/2 Foot Bed with OEM Prep Pkg does allow you to use the fixed hitch such as the Reese M5 for Ram Towing Prep Package, # RP37FR intended for 8 foot beds; providing you have a rotating turret type pin box and have verified cab clearance. The OEM Prep Pkg is the same irrelevant of bed length, so any hitch will drop into the pucks but you need to ensure clearance of the cab and other points when making turns. This is where having a RhinoBox on your particular 5th wheel is an issue. There is not a rotating turret type pin box available to replace the RhinoBox.

For your situation you will need to go with a slide type hitch. We have several options but I two in particlular that I recommend for your setup. The first, and my preferred choice is the B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider for Ram Towing Prep Package, # BWRVK3670. This like the M5 you have will drop into the pucks on your truck secure much same the way in locking action. But this will provide you that needed slide action for turning clearance, it has a full 12" of front to back movement. The B&W is one of if not the best built 5th wheel hitches currently on the market. Their hitches have 1" thick dual jaws providing a 360-degree jaw-to-king-pin contact which means less rattle and more security than slide-bar jaws. This also has a fully articulating head that helps to limit chucking and provides a vertical load limit of up to 5,000 lbs. In addition it is note as having superior powder coating and is Made In USA from raw materials sourced here as well. This will provide a full 12" of front to back movement.

The second option is also a quality hitch and I recommend this over the B&W only if the feature of an autoslide is something that appeals to you. The Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, # DM8550035 mounted with the Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Ram OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package, # DM6099. This is a 21K hitch that slides automatically as you drive to give you 14" of additional clearance for tight turns. This has a vertical load limit of 5,250 lbs.

expert reply by: Michael R

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