Recommended Autosliding Hitch and 5th Wheel Rails for a 2023 Ram 2500

Question

Question:

Bought new truck , 2023 ram tradesman 2500, no pucks installed, want to purchase an automatic slide 5th wheel set up..can you pick out what I would need

asked by: Rick

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Expert Reply:

Congrats on the new truck! To add a autoslider 5th wheel hitch you will first need to add a set of rails to your 2023 Ram 2500. There is no aftermarket way to add a puck system or below bed mounting method for an autoslider 5th wheel hitch.

I recommend the Demco Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit item # DM8552025-71. This set of rails is industry standard which means it will work with most 5th wheel hitches on the market. The brackets are custom fit and install in pre-existing holes in your Ram's frame.

There are two options to install an autosliding hitch in your Ram truck. They are both made by Demco and which one you choose will depend on how heavy your trailer is. I have listed both options below:

18,000 lbs Capacity - Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider item # DM8550034

21,000 lbs Capacity - Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider item # DM8550035

The Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider item # DM69GV you were looking at only fits the Ram trucks with the factory puck system.

To make towing with a 5th wheel easier, I also recommend adding the Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Custom Wiring Harness item # C56070. This harness puts a 7-way connector in the bed of your truck and allows you to keep the one on your bumper. This makes hooking up to your 5th wheel trailer easier and more convenient.

expert reply by: Jerred H

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Answer 1

There are no notes or warnings from Demco regarding using a HiJacker in a lower setting on your 2018 GMC Sierra 3500. And it looks like there is a ton of space available based on your picture. And the gearing is higher up than the lowest part of…

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Answer 2

I&#39;ve linked the installation instructions for the Demco Hijacker Premier Installation Kit #DM8552025-71 for you on this page.

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Answer 3

You do not have to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch in a short bed truck. In many cases, truck beds shorter than 8 ft do not have enough clearance between the trailer and truck to execute sharp turns. This is why sliding hitches were invented. Due to…

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Answer 4

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion…

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Answer 5

The Ram OEM 5th wheel puck system, shown in the linked photo and article, was launched in 2013 so what you have in your truck is likely to be an aftermarket installation of some kind. These newer Ram trucks with the factory prep can directly accept…

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Answer 6

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two…

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Answer 7

The short bed 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duties like yours are a bit longer than standard short beds as they are 6-3/4 feet long. So what that means is that if your trailer has a nose that tapers in at all the Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel to…

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Answer 8

The Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter Pin Box - Lippert 1621, 1621 HD - 21K Item #325-GH-8045 works on a flatbed truck with a recessed ball as long as the opening around the ball is large enough that the pin can be put in…

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Answer 9

I did some checking and the hub/drum we offer that will work for you is the part #8-430-5UC3. This uses the same bearings as the 8-415 and will be an exact fit aside from the fact this is a non-ABS setup and the 8-415 came in an ABS setup and…

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Answer 10

Most fifth wheel rails are made to the same industry standard dimensions. They aren't all though. If you measure 22 inches on center between the two rails and they look like the rails of the #RP30035 that you referenced they would be the…

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Answer 11

If your current springs have 5 leaves then going to a 7 leaf spring will increase the height of the trailer a little and make the trailer more susceptible to sway. Regarding capacity if you go with springs rated higher than what is required it will…

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Answer 12

Thank you for purchasing from etrailer! You did a great job selecting compatible parts. When using Leaf Springs #e64SR with the #AP233 Equalizer Kit and the #H248 Hanger Kit, there should be 29-1/2" between the front and center hangers and…

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