Is A Sidewinder Or A Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch The Best Option For A Short Bed Truck

Question:

Soon to arrive Ram 3500 short bed with 5th wheel prep. Also arriving is new 5th wheel with the Lippert 1621HD pin box. Torn between Demco auto slide or Reese sidewinder. I really want to lean towards the sidewinder but there is not much info or many videos on it other than what Reese puts out. Biggest drawback with the Demco is the weight. Really would like some feedback on the sidewinder or similar. And what hitch to use with the sidewinder.

asked by: Jake S

Expert Reply:

Since you have a short bed 2022 Ram 3500 with an OEM puck system there's no need to second guess getting a Sidewinder at all. Demco's Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch # DM89GV is nice and makes life a lot easier since it automatically turns and rolls back to give more clearance, but you can get even better turning clearance without all the weight and space taken up in the bed of your truck with a Sidewinder Pin Box.

Rotating pin boxes move the pivoting point for your trailer back 22" while the # DM89GV is only going to give you 14" of additional clearance. The # DM89GV does come apart into sections to make it easier to move but is still a total of 336lbs. You could use the B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch for Ram Towing Prep Package # BWRVK3600, which also breaks down into sections and has a total weight of 217lbs.

For a 1621 bolt pattern you'd want to use the Reese Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret # RP34FR. Installation will require a few other people to help lift and hold the pin box in place while bolting it up, but is still something you could easily do at home. You will also need a wedge kit to prevent the king pin from rotating in the jaws of the hitch, for the # BWRVK3600 you would need the # RP74FR.