Recommended Base Rails to Install on a 2012 Ram 2500 to Use With a Reese Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch

Question

Question:

Thanks for the help, kit number RP30035-186 is what I will need but without the rails.

asked by: Tyler S

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

We have a couple of different options for you to install base rails in your 2012 Ram 2500 to use with your Reese sliding 5th wheel hitch. The difference between the rails is how they are installed on your Ram.

The Reese Semi-Custom Base Rail and Installation Kit # RP30035-186 is the most generic of the options that I have for you. The semi-custom brackets will let your install your 5th wheel hitch if your Ram has the overload springs, but it is not compatible with the Reese Elite Series, Signature Series, or Valley UBS Hitches and is a little more difficult than the other 2 options.

The next step up would be the Reese Quick-Install Custom Base Rails and Installation Kit # RP50140-58. This base rail kit is designed to use the existing holes on your Ram's frame so that you will not have to do any drilling. It helps to speed up the installation process by eliminating the need to do a lot of measuring to make sure you get everything lined up just right. This kit will not work with the Reese Elite Series, Signature Series, or Valley UBS Hitches either.

The best option for you is the Reese Quick-Install Custom Base Rails and Outboard Installation Kit # RP56011-53. This kit is a great option for a few different reasons. First of all the outboard design makes it to where the brackets are installed on the outside of the frame to make it easier. The second great thing is that this kit doesn't have restrictions on which hitches it will fit. Since I do not know what kind of 5th wheel hitch that you have, I recommend going with this kit.

We do have a video of the kti # RP50140-58 being installed on a 2012 Ram as well so it might be easier for you to go with that rail kit and use the video for a reference, granted that you do not have a Reese Elite Series or Signature Series hitch.

If you let me know which one you would like to use, I can get the individual part numbers for you.

expert reply by: Jon G

1

Tyler S.

3/30/2017

Thanks for the help, kit number RP30035-186 is what I will need but without the rails.

Jon G.

3/30/2017

The hardware parts for the # RP30035-186 kit that you are looking for are: Reese Mounting Bracket Kit - # RP58186 Reese Universal Installation Kit - # RP30439

Answer 1

Reese Replacement Hardware Kit #RP30074F is not a complete 5th wheel installation kit, just a replacement hardware kit. For an industry-standard 5th wheel hitch base rail installation kit confirmed to fit your 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Mega cab, I…

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Answer 2

For a 5th wheel trailer hitch, it really depends on what features you want and how much the trailer weighs. If you will be needing to use the bed when not towing the trailer and want an underbed mount, you would use #RP30074. Then you could use the…

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Answer 3

The Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Square Tube Slider part #RP30051 is what I recommend for a 2011 Ram 3500 Short Bed Diesel. In order to install this hitch you'll need the Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit part #RP50140-58 which is a…

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Answer 4

If I follow correctly, you have a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 with a 6 foot 3 inch box. Our site shows "6-1/2 Foot Bed" and you are concerned about installing the B&W Base Rails, #BWRVK2600. Yes, these install the same as the long bed, 8 foot…

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Answer 5

For your 2005 Ram 2500, I recommend the B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch w/ Custom Installation Kit - 30,000 lbs, #BWGNRK1313. This is a custom fit for your truck that will give you a gooseneck hitch that will keep your truck bed…

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Answer 6

The distance from the rear edge of the truck bed (NOT the tailgate) to the rear edge of the rear bed rail of the Reese #RP50140-58 fifth wheel hitch install kit is 28-1/4 inches. You can find this information on page 4 of the installation…

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Answer 7

The Reese Semi-Custom Base Rail kit part #RP30035-023 that you referenced is a fit for your 2005 Dodge Ram 2500, but since this is a semi-custom kit I think you would be better off getting a fully custom install kit since it would minimize drilling…

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Answer 8

Yes, a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 with a Mega Cab and a 6-1/2 foot bed does have fifth wheel rail kits made for it so it could easily tow a fift wheel hitch. From my research it looks like the towing capacity is 7,300 to 7,800 lbs so you'd need to…

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Answer 9

Looks like you'd be good. I pulled up the towing capacity of your truck and it's rated for 15,350 lbs trailer weight and your trailer would weigh at most 12,995 lbs. The M5 Series hitch part #RP30928 that you referenced has a 20k capacity and…

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Answer 10

The Reese hitch part 30031 that you referenced is designed to fit the industry standard fifth wheel rails like what come with the part #RP50140-58 that you referenced. The two would work well together.

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Answer 11

For the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500, you will need to use a modified version of the universal installation kit. The 2009 Ram requires a couple of additional brackets. The good news is this makes it a semi-custom kit that will take less time to install than…

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Answer 12

To get the B&W Patriot #BWRVK3200 to work with your 2006 Dodge Ram you're going to need a set of 5th wheel rails #DM8552016-71. These rails are custom fit to your vehicle so they'll just bolt right up to the frame. It is worth mentioning…

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Recommended Base Rails to Install on a 2012 Ram 2500 to Use With a Reese Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch

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