Recommended Non-Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch And Sidewinder Pin Box For Ram 3500 Dually Short Bed

Published 05/04/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Reese Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret - 20,000 lbs

(43)

$1350.54

Trailair Flex Air 5th Wheel Pin Box - Lippert 0719 - 18,000 lbs

(2)

$1456.38

Curt Flex Air 5th Wheel Pin Box - Lippert 1621 - 18,000 lbs

(192)

$1667.90

5th Airborne Custom Wedge for Select Series Fifth Wheels

(25)

$71.65

Question:

I have a expensive slider hitch that I don't want to part with my question was why can't I just change out the lippert L05 on my trailer with another one that is say 5 inches shorter? That should work should it not?

asked by: Grant

Expert Reply:

To protect the bed of your truck you may simply need to adjust the height of your sliding hitch to give you more clearance above your bed. However, it may be more complicated than that as well. There is one secure way to ensure your bed is protected, but it requires changing your pin box and your hitch. If you already have above bed rails for your 5th wheel, I recommend swapping your slider for a non-moving hitch like # RP30033 and then changing your pin box to the Reese Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret - 20,000 lbs # RP34FR. This will change the pivot location of your hitch by pushing the pivot point back 22 inches toward the rear of your truck. This significantly changes the movement in the back of your truck. I've attached a video to help. This hitch even has a custom wedge # SWW-03 to ensure the best fit and ideal function.

expert reply by: Jason S

Grant

5/4/2017

Jason S.

5/4/2017

You can absolutely still use a sliding hitch if you want. If you choose to use a Sidewinder, you will just need to keep it locked in the position closest to the cab, however an autoslider with a Sidewinder or a gooseneck conversion slider is not compatible with a Sidewinder. If you just want a shorter pin box, that isn't always as easy as it sounds because the pin box was made specifically for your trailer and many aftermarket pin boxes are actually longer not shorter. There is one possibility with your LO5 pin box. If you have the long Trailair Flex Air 5th Wheel Pin Box - Lippert 1621 - 18,000 lbs # LC328492, you can change it out for the medium length Trailair Flex Air 5th Wheel Pin Box - Lippert 0719 - 18,000 lbs # LC328484. The medium length box has a measurement of 14-1/4 inches from the center of the king pin to the closest mounting bolts and 22-1/2 inches from the farthest mounting bolts. If this gains you the clearance you are looking for you will be all set, if not, a Sidewinder is your only other option.