5th Wheel Installation Kit Recommendation for a 2014 Ram 2500 and a Reese 16K Hitch

Question:

I have seen many responses on using the reese adapter RP30154 to install a 5th wheel hitch in a Ram 2500, with the factory installed 5th Wheel Prep Package. However, I do not have the 5th wheel prep package in my new vehicle. I didnt know it existed when we bought it, even though we were very clear with the salesman that we were getting the truck to pull a 5th wheel. What options to install the the rails for a 16K Reese Hitch w/Slider are available if you do not have the prep package?

asked by: Mike D

Helpful Expert Reply:

To install fifth wheel base rails on your 2014 Ram 2500 without the factory fifth wheel package, you can use the Curt Custom Installation Kit, # C16427-204 or # C16427-104. The only difference between these two kits is the finish of the base rails. Install kit # C16427-204 has carbide (matte) finish rails and install kit # C16427-104 has gloss finish rails. The base rails included in these kits are compatible with your Reese 16K sliding fifth wheel hitch, so there will be no compatibility problems.

I am not sure why the salesman did not mention the factory fifth wheel package, but I can tell you that there have been some setbacks with the Ram OEM fifth wheel package. Dodge offers an under-bed style fifth wheel kit for the 2500 and 3500 models, but at this time there are no fifth wheel hitches that are directly compatible with the mounting holes in the truck bed. For Dodge truck owners that want to tow a fifth wheel and have the OEM fifth wheel package, the Reese adapter # RP30154 is their only option for mounting a fifth wheel hitch.

expert reply by: John H