5th Wheel Hitch Options for 2018 Ram 3500 Pickup with 6-1/2-Foot Bed
Published 12/19/2017
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Question:
I am contemplating the best hitch to use with my short bed Ram 3500 towing my fifth wheel. Specifically does the Reese Goose Box 5th Wheel-to-gooseneck air ride coupler adapter provide any additional extension of the factory pin box
asked by: John W
Expert Reply:
Reese Goosebox 5th wheel trailer couplers do not provide extended turning clearance like what comes from use of a slider hitch or a Sidewinder pivoting pin box. What the Goosebox DOES allow is using a gooseneck trailer ball to tow a 5th wheel trailer.
In your 2018 Ram 3500 6-1/2-foot short-bed pickup you can use a slider hitch and either industry-standard above-bed base rails or an under-bed kit. For example, the Demco Hijacker 21K hitch # DM8550037, which offers a whopping 14-inches of slider travel, can be installed in under-bed rail kit # DM8551006. The similar 21K hitch # DM8550035 installs in above-bed rail kit # DM8552026-71. These Demco sliders offer more travel and so more clearance than other hitches. For wiring use # DM8555002.
If your Ram happens to have the factory rail kit then you can directly install the superb B&W Companion 20K slider hitch # BWRVK3670. This drops right into the factory pucks in the bed, no install kit needed. B&W makes what many consider the finest 5th wheels available. The fabricate and manufacture in their Kansas facility and make their hitches with outstanding build quality, for instance, with beefy 1-inch-thick jaws to grip your trailer king pin.
I provided links to hitches for both types of truck configuration.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter - 12" to 16" Tall - 20,000 lbs
- 5th Wheel Gooseneck Adapter
- Adapts Trailer
- 5th Wheel Trailer to Gooseneck Hitch
- No Extra Clearance
- 20000 lbs
- Bolts Over King Pin
- Shock Absorbing
- Convert-A-Ball
more information >
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