Would A Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitch Or Rotating Pin Box Be Better For A 2021 Ram 2500 6-1/2' Bed

Question:

I have a 2021 ram 2500 6.4 bed without ram 5th wheel prep package. I am considering the Reese sidewinder but am unsure what hitch would be best for my application. Would the sidewinder be a better option than a manual slider hitch? If so then what 5th wheel hitch pairs best with the sidewinder and what above bed rails are best for my application.

asked by: Connor M

Expert Reply:

Hey Connor,

A typical sliding 5th wheel hitch is going to give you 12-14" of travel for extra turning clearance while a rotating pin box like the Reese Sidewinder will move the pivot point of the trailer back 22". Rotating pin boxes give you the best chance of making a 90 degree turn without the nose of the trailer hitting the cab of the truck. With a rotating pin box you won't have to get out of the truck at each tight turn to move the hitch into the maneuvering position and then again to move it back into the towing position, which can be a bit time consuming.

Each rotating pin box has a specific bolt pattern so you'll need to first determine what your current pin box bolt pattern is. If there's still a white sticker on it listing the RPO #, LCI item #, and serial # then we can look up the pattern. If not you'll need to measure for it using the article linked below. For example, the most common pattern is 1621, so if you had this you could go with the Reese Sidewinder # RP34FR.

From there you'll need a fixed hitch like the Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # C16140 along with the Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Ram Truck # C16427-204. To lock the king pin of the pin box into the jaws of the hitch you'll also need a wedge kit # C27NR.