Can I Tow A Fifth Wheel With A 2020 Ram 2500 With Ram Boxes?  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hello Rhys, I can definitely help with this. First, I will start by saying that trucks with the Rambox really are not ideal for towing a 5th wheel camper. It can be done, however I cannot recommend using the Turnoverball, offset ball and goosebox combination that you mentioned. The issue with Ram Box is that it limits the ability of the pin box to rotate in the truck bed. This will drastically decrease your turning clearance and the goosebox would not clear the Ram box on turns.

The only way to tow a 5th wheel with your truck will be to use a stationary rail mounted fifth wheel hitch along with a sidewinder pin box on the camper. This will move the turning point of the trailer up and back 22 inches to avoid contact with the Ram Box.

For a hitch I recommend the B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # BWRVK3255 and the rail kit # BWRVK2602. This is the 18K rated patriot 5th wheel hitch and it will be compatible with the necessary sidewinder pin box. The Turnoverball and companion hitch is not compatible with a sidewinder.

As far as the sidewinder, we will need to know what pin box your camper is currently equipped with in order to recommend the correct replacement. It sounds like you have not bought your 5th wheel yet, so the dealer could always provide you with the pin box size. For example, the Reese Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret # RP34FR is a very popular option. This will replace the Lippert 0719, 1621, 1621HD pin boxes, as well as the Fabex 663 and 665, the M&M 663 and 665 and the Lippert Rhino Box. If you can confirm the pin box size on your camper, I am happy to make a more specific recommendation.

expert reply by: Jesse M

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Rhys

4/1/2024

Thanks Jesse, I feared as much. Excuse my ignorance, but does the rail kit / hitch have to remain in the bed of the truck permanently or does the kits simply disconnect from the rails when not in use, and just the rails remain? Thanks for letting me know. Rhys

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Jesse M.

4/1/2024

@Rhys No worries at all! The rail kit is permanently installed in the bed. The hitch can easily be disconnected from the rails and removed. It is just 4 pins that hold the hitch to the rails. The hitch itself does weigh about 140 lbs but it can be easily separated into two pieces (the head unit and the base) which makes it a bit easier to manage. I linked a video for you below that actually shows this hitch in a truck with the Rambox if you want a better visual.

Helpful Links

tv-install-b-and-w-patriot-5th-wheel-trailer-hitch-2022-ram-2500-bwrvk3255.aspx

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Rhys

4/1/2024

@JesseM thanks this is great.. do you think this is the only option for Ram Box 2500? Also, what airbags would you suggest? Thanks! Rhys

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Jesse M.

4/1/2024

@Rhys Yes, using a fixed 5th wheel hitch and a sidewinder is the only way to safely pull a 5th wheel if you have the Rambox. For air bags I recommend you go with the Air Lift brand since their kits will be compatible with the in-bed fifth wheel hitch brackets. I suggest you go with the # AL88289 kit. Our review and install videos are linked below.

Helpful Links

tv-in-use-air-lift-loadlifter-helper-spring-al88289.aspx

tv-install-air-lift-loadlifter-5000-air-springs-2016-ram-2500-al88289.aspx

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Rhys

4/1/2024

@JesseM amazing, thanks - this is so much help. Do I need a compression remote kit for them too?

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Rhys E.

4/1/2024

@JesseM, sorry one more question before I decide on all this! The 5th wheel I'm looking at is the Fusion 369 which has a dry weight of 13,970.. this hitch goes up to 18,000.. that should be ok, right? Or should I look at a 20k hitch to be safe? Thanks again for your advice!

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Jesse M.

4/2/2024

@Rhys A compressor kit is recommended yes, but it is optional. If you install just the air bag kit without an onboard compressor, your inflation valves will be mounted on the rear bumper. This will allow you to fill the bags using virtually any other air compressor. So if you have one in your garage or a portable compressor you can just use that. The onboard compressor is a big convenience though. Especially if you plan to tow often. I recommend a wireless compressor like the Air Lift # AL25980EZ. This kit allows you to adjust the PSI using the Air Lift smartphone app, or with the included remote. Review/install video is linked below.

Helpful Links

tv-install-air-lift-air-bag-compressor-system-2020-ram-2500-al25980ez.aspx

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Rhys E.

4/2/2024

@JesseM - great, thank you! sorry one more question before I decide on all this! The 5th wheel I'm looking at is the Fusion 369 which has a dry weight of 13,970.. this hitch goes up to 18,000.. that should be ok, right? Or should I look at a 20k hitch to be safe? Thanks again for your advice!

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Jesse M.

4/2/2024

@RhysE It looks like the 2024 Keystone Fuzion 369 has a GVWR of 17,000 lbs. In my opinion I would not do an 18,000 lb hitch. If you already had an 18K rated hitch that you wanted to use, you could probably get away with it. But since you have not bought a hitch yet there is no reason to cut it that close on the weight capacity when you have some great higher rated options available to you. I recommend you use the Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # C16140. The 20K rating will give you plenty of wiggle room, and this hitch will be compatible with the necessary sidewinder pin box. You can use the Curt Install Kit # C16427-204.

Helpful Links

tv-install-curt-fifth-wheel-install-kit-2020-ram-2500-c16427-204.aspx

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Rhys E.

4/2/2024

@JesseM, thanks so much. And you think the air bags you suggested are ok? It would be a 2022/2023 Fusion 369 so a little lighter I believe?

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Jesse M.

4/2/2024

@RhysE Yes, the # AL88289 kit will work great for the purpose. The 5,000 lb capacity will be more than enough. based on what I can see online, it looks like both the 2022 and 2023 Fuzion 369 models are a 17K GVWR and about 3,015 hitch weight so you will be good.

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