Recommended Base Rails and 5th-Wheel Hitch for 2007 Dodge Ram Pickup with Pre-Drilled Holes in Bed  

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Expert Reply:

Most 5th-wheel base rails now use a 10 bolt system to attach the rails to the truck for a more safe and secure connection. Looking through the compatible base rails we offer for your 2007 Dodge Ram Pickup, the Husky Custom Base Rails and Installation Kit # HT31413-686 is the only one I could find that uses a 4 bolt system and may fit the drilled holes on your truck bed. These rails are compatible with Curt, Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Husky, Reese and Valley above-bed 5th-wheel hitches.

I cannot confirm if these rails will specifically fit with the drilled holes in your truck bed. There is no way to know for certain which rail kit or 5th wheel the previous owner used or if everything was done correctly to begin with. Keeping this in mind, I recommend simply going with the best base rail kit and 5th-wheel trailer for your setup. With most rails designed for a 10 bolt installation, you will need to drill additional holes into the bed of your truck, anyway.

For your Dodge Ram Pickup, I recommend the Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Roller # 16516 along with the custom base rail kit # C16420-204. This is a sliding 5th-wheel hitch that will give you an additional 12 inches of clearance for making tight turns with your short bed truck. This has a gross towing weight capacity of 16,000 pounds and a vertical load limit of 4,000 pounds.

For a more premium option, I also recommend looking at the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # DM8550022 along with the custom underbed rail kit # DM8551005. The underbed rails mean that if you remove the 5th wheel hitch, you will still have full access to your truck bed. This is also a sliding 5th-wheel hitch but it features an autoslide that automatically slides as you drive to give you 14 inches of additional clearance and slides back toward the cab when you straighten out. You will not have to leave the comfort of your truck cab like you would with a manual sliding hitch. This hitch has a weight capacity of 18,000 pounds and vertical load limit of 4,500 pounds.

I have included video demonstrations on both of these hitches for your review.

I also recommend adding a Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness with 7-Pole Plug
Item # HM42137. Once installed, this will provide a 7-way connector in the bed of your truck for easy hookup with your trailer.

expert reply by: Chris R

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