Fifth Wheel Towing Setup Recommendation for a 2012 Ram 1500

Question:

What is your thoughts on the pullrite 3100 12k superslider 5th wheel hitch for a short box ram 1500 crew. Have there been any outstanding issues you have heard of. Thank you

asked by: Brian

Expert Reply:

On a truck with as short of a bed as your 2012 Ram 1500 with a 5-1/2 foot bed you can't use a sliding hitch as it would damage the tailgate of the truck if you were to activate the slider plus you wouldn't have enough clearance to make sharp turns.

Your only option would be a stationary hitch and then installing a Sidewinder pin box on your trailer.

Sidewinders are pin box specific so you will first need to know what pin box you have know in order to pick out the correct one. There should be a sticker or a stamping on the OEM pin box of the trailer that will list the pin box number that is on the trailer.

Once you figure out which pin box you have you can check the FAQ I attached that has a chart that shows the correct Sidewinder to get based on which pin box you have.

Since you will be using a Sidewinder you will want to use a stationary hitch. For a fifth wheel rail installation kit you would want the part # RP30035-386, and then for a 5th wheel hitch I would recommend the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30047. This hitch has a jaw system that provides excellent king pin contact that should work very well for you. Check out the review video I attached.

expert reply by: Jameson C