How to Tow a 5th Wheel with a 2016 Ram 1500 Short Bed and B&W Gooseneck Hitch

Updated 09/04/2018 | Published 09/03/2018

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Companion Slider Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(639)

$1599.00

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

(759)

$2145.00

Demco Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Hitches

(6)

$449.64

Question:

My 2016 ram 1500 shortbed has a bandw gooseneck ball in it, what adaptor will create offsetfor shortbed and adapt for fifth wheel trailer?

asked by: RJ G

Expert Reply:

If the short bed on your 2016 Ram 1500 is 6-1/2' then the easiest solution is to use the B&W Companion # BWRVK3400. This installs directly into the gooseneck receiver of your B&W gooseneck hitch and will give you 12" of front to back travel for cab clearance.

If you have a 5-1/2' bed then you will need to swap out your B&W gooseneck hitch for something else. Reason being that there is nothing with enough travel or offset for you to clear the cab of your Ram during sharp turns. In this case you will need to remove your B&W gooseneck hitch and install base rails like part # DM8552030-71. This will allows you to use the Demco Hijacker # DM8550040 which has 22-1/2" travel or a stationary hitch like part # RP30047 and a Sidewinder pin box like part # RP34FR which replaces the standard 1621 and 0719 boxes.

For the Sidewinder option you will need to use the wedge # SWW-03 and make sure that the replacement pin box is a direct replacement for what you currently have.

expert reply by: Jon G