Recommended 5th Wheel Hitch, Slider for 2015 Dodge Ram Pickup with Rambox

Question:

I am in buying a 2015 ram 3500 mega cab with 6.5 bed with ram box cargo management system. what would be the best fifth wheel system to install to prevent damage to the truck? should i also use a sidewinder type hitch extension?

asked by: Kirk D

Expert Reply:

Officially our 5th wheel hitch suppliers do not recommend any 5th wheel hitch installation in Dodge Ram pickups that have the Rambox system due to the reduced bed width.

We have, however, heard reports of successful installations in the 2014 Rambox-equipped trucks using a Sidewinder replacement pin box. The Sidewinder moves the pivot point back 22-inches behind the king pin which keeps the body of the pin box stationary within the limited available width of the Rambox bed. This configuration remains untested.

If you want to go the Sidewinder route you would first need to determine what brand and model pin box you have on your 5th wheel trailer, and then visit the link I have below that has all the different sidewinders available to see which sidewinder will fit your trailer by clicking on them and scrolling down to the specs to see their applications.

I recommend the Curt Fifth Wheel Installation Kit # C16430-204 since the short Curt rails will be a good fit for your short bed pickup at 43-3/8-inches. With these rails you can use the Curt 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # C16541. If you use this slider hitch you want to lock it in the towing position all the way forward. Running the trailer with the hitch slid rearward places too much weight aft of the rear truck axle, which lightens the weight applied to the front axle thus compromising steering and braking performance.

expert reply by: Chris O