Turning Clearance of Demco 13K AutoSlide Hitch on a 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 6 Foot Bed without EcoDiesel

Published 01/20/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 13,000 lbs

(701)

$2025.00

Demco Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Hitches

(5)

$415.03

Question:

I have a 2015 Ram 1500 with the 6ft bed. My 5th wheel does not have a cut-out nose for short-bed trucks. Can I use this hitch to avoid cab and trailer collision? Not interested in spending an arm and a leg.

asked by: Ted D

Expert Reply:

The Demco AutoSlide # DM8550040 will work for your 2015 Ram 1500 and 5th wheel trailer.

Demco designed this 13K Hijacker AutoSlide 5th Wheel Hitch # DM8550040 with the 6 foot beds in mind. As you turn this hitch will give you an extended distance of 22-1/2 inches, which is crucial to most short bed truck owners when making sharp turns.

If you want to be absolutely sure that this hitch will fit, you can use the following formula. (A+B)-C= Clearance. First, you will need to measure from the center of the hitch jaw to the back of the truck cab. On a 6-1/2 foot bed, the center of the hitch jaw will be centered over the rear axle. So measure from that point to the back of the cab, call it measurement A.

Next, you will need to add in the length of travel of a slider, this 13K AutoSlide is 22.5. Call this measurement B.

Next, measure the width of your trailer, then divide by 2 to get half. Call this measurement C. You then plug A, B, and C into the formula; (A + B) - C = Clearance.

For example: if the distance from the center of the hitch to the cab on your 2015 is 36 inches, 36 inches + 22.5 inches = 58.5 inches. If your fifth wheel trailer is 102 inches wide, take half (51 inches), then plug in: 58.5 inches - 51 inches = 7.5 inches of clearance. To safely make a 90 degree turn your calculation will need to have a positive of 4 inches.

The Demco custom installation kit for your 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 is # DM8552030-71, but the Demco AutoSlide # DM8550040 is compatible with most industry standard above the bed rails.

I have linked all the above mentioned products to this question for your convenience.