5th Wheel Installation Kit Options for a 2013 Dodge Ram 3500 Short Bed

Question:

is there a kit available to fit the 2013 dodge 3500 short bed

asked by: Daniel M

Expert Reply:

There are fifth wheel base rail kits available for the 2013 Ram 3500 short bed as long as it does not have the Ram OEM fifth wheel prep package. For the 3500 models, I recommend the Curt Fifth Wheel Installation Kit, # C16420-104. This kit will fit the short and long bed models and will not require any drilling into the frame to install. I have attached a link to the installation instructions for you to check out. I also attached a link to all of the fifth wheel kits that are available for your truck so you can see all of your options.

This kit uses the industry standard above bed base rails that is compatible with most Curt, Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Reese, Husky and Valley fifth wheel hitches. If you do not already have a fifth wheel hitch, you will first want to determine the gross weight rating of your trailer and choose a hitch with a capacity that exceeds the weight of your trailer. Also, since you mentioned a short bed truck, I strongly recommend choosing a sliding fifth wheel hitch. Short bed trucks do not provide enough trailer-to-cab clearance for making sharp turns and a sliding hitch will give you additional clearance in tight turning situations.

Two hitches that I would recommend are the Curt 16K Fifth Wheel Hitch, # 16516, or the Curt 20K Fifth Wheel Hitch, # C16541. I have attached links to each of these hitches as well as links to the installation instructions.

expert reply by: John H