King Pin Position In Front of Rear Axle on a 2013 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Short Bed  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The distance from the center of the rear axle to the center of the king pin when towing will depend on the fifth wheel installation kit that you use. We have one setup that will put the center of the fifth wheel hitch 4-7/8 inches forward of the rear axle center line that you may be interested in. You will want the Reese Quick-Install Custom Bracket Kit, # RP50142, and the Reese Universal 10-Bolt Base Rails, # RP58058. I have attached the installation instructions for this kit for you to check out.

These base rails are compatible with the Reese Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitch, # RP30051, that you referenced. Keep in mind, the closer the hitch is to the cab, the less clearance you have between the cab and trailer overhang when making turns. The distance from the center of the fifth wheel hitch to the cab must be 4 inches greater than half the width of your trailer to safely make 90 degree turns. I recommend measuring your truck and trailer to see if you will have enough clearance with the 10 inch slide travel.

You may find that a Sidewinder pin box would be better than a sliding fifth wheel hitch for your situation. Sidewinders offer 22 inches of additional clearance versus 10 inches from the sliding hitch. Sidewinders are designed to replace specific pin boxes, so I attached our Sidewinder help article for you to check out if you are interested in going this route. This article also explains how to measure your trailer and truck to determine proper turning clearance. If you can tell me the brand and model number of your pin box, I can make a recommendation for you.

expert reply by: John H

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