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

Published 03/30/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Reese Mounting Bracket for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - Dodge Ram

(6)

$25.58

Reese Mounting Bracket Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - Dodge Ram

(9)

$83.02

Question:

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

asked by: Tyler S

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

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