Compatibility of Demco Autoslide with 2018 Ram 2500 6.5 Foot Bed

Published 06/18/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 13,000 lbs

(711)

$2145.00

5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Plug - GM, Ford, Ram, Toyota - 9' Long

(692)

$107.94

Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Ram OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package - 25,000 lbs

(179)

$689.00

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs

(711)

$1795.00

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 21,000 lbs

(711)

$2173.00

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Under Bed - 13,000 lbs

(711)

$2349.00

Reese 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Ram OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package - 25,000 lbs

(458)

$529.60

Question:

I have a 2018 Ram 2500 4x4 Diesel 6.5ft bed with the hitch prep kit. We are looking at a 5th wheel trailer that has GVWR 10190lbs and a 1400lb hitch weight. I see the Demco 18k has a 14-inch slide and the Demco 13k a 22-inch slide so I’m looking at the Demco 13k hitch to make sure I have sufficient clearance with the cab. Would there be any potential problems with the king pin arm hitting the tailgate on the truck during a turn where the hitch slides the full 22 inches? I am also wondering about the weight of the hitch and adapter bracket once installed and how it may affect my payload capability. I see a lot of questions on here with people in a similar truck pulling 5vers with a hitch weight significantly higher than the truck payload rating and wondering if there are mods they make to their truck to do this safely.

asked by: Patrick

Expert Reply:

The Demco 13K with a 22-1/2 inch slide # DM8550040 and # DM8550041, will not work for your application. It would cause issues with the tail gate.

The confirmed fit for your truck is the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - 18,000 lbs # DM8550034 or the 21K # DM8550035. Either will work well with the Rail adapter for Ram 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package # DM6099 or the Reese 5th Wheel Rail Adapter # RP30154.

The weight of the hitch is 273 lbs for the 18K and 305 lbs for the 21K. With your hitch weight, you won't have any trouble being within your capacity with either option and your rail adapter with the # DM6099 weighing 86 lbs and the # RP30154 weighing 90 lbs.

One final thing to consider is adding the wiring harness # 50-97-410 for a clean and easy connection point for your trailer. Adding a second 7-way is a great option and an easy installation without any splicing needed.