Recommended 5th Wheel Rails and Gooseneck Conversion for 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with 6.5 Foot Bed

Published 08/22/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Universal Fifth Wheel Base Rails with Installation Kit - Gloss Finish

(71)

$181.48

Curt Above-Bed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails - 3" Offset - 25,000 lbs

(502)

$193.86

B&W Extend-A-Goose Gooseneck Coupler - 2-5/16" Ball - 10" Offset - 24,000 lbs

(173)

$399.00

Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness with 7-Pole Plug

(163)

$85.94

Ram Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Trailer Coupler Adapter Inner Tube - Square - 30,000 lbs

(830)

$226.47

Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Trailer Coupler Adapter - Round - 30K

(830)

$174.90

Question:

5th wheel rails i have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 short box, I know I need a slider hitch if im towing a 5th wheel, does that still apply to a gooseneck

asked by: Jarrod T

Expert Reply:

For your 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Short box, the design of your gooseneck trailer will dictate whether you need an offset hitch ball or a slider hitch with a gooseneck adapter like # KPG5-R30IP or # KPG5-Q30IP. I've also attached the page to many other options that will adapt a gooseneck to work with a sliding 5th wheel hitch.

A great option for a gooseneck trailer with a short box truck is the B&W Extend-A-Goose Gooseneck Coupler - 2-5/16" Ball - 10" Offset - 24,000 lbs # BWTEXA4200 to give you some extra clearance. You can use this with an offset gooseneck ball or 5th wheel gooseneck plate like # 16055.

If you don't have 5th wheel rails for your 2003 Ram 1500, I recommend the Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches # RP50040-58 which will utilize the holes in your frame so you don't need to drill for the brackets. This makes installing the rails a much faster process. You may also want to consider adding a wiring harness to the bed of your truck for easy connection access using harness # HM42137.