5th Wheel Base Rail Kit for 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab Pickup  

Question:

Expert Reply:

On your 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 the towing capacity of your trailer and the bed size are the two big issues. The towing capacity can range between 3,600 lbs to 8,100 lbs depending on how it is equipped. Since there are several different options your truck could have you will want to check the owners manual of your truck to determine what the towing capacity of your specific vehicle is.

The sticker inside your driver's door is also a great resource for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of your Truck and the Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of your truck and trailer combination.

For your bed rails, I recommend the Reese Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 10 Bolt # RP30035. These rails will work with a short bed or a long bed. The Reese 14K Classic will work with these base rails, but if you have a short bed truck you will want a sliding hitch so you don't make contact with your truck cab when turning. For a slider, I recommend the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Square Tube Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs # RP30051.

Please note that even though the hitch is rated for a capacity, your truck will be the limiting factor on your towing capacity. Your loaded trailer cannot exceed your vehicle capacity without damage to your vehicle.

expert reply by: Jason S

0

Donna L.

10/8/2018

I was mistaken our pickup is a three quarter ton extended cab with a long box. It also has a goose neck hitch in it at this time would you recommend getting just an adaptor for the goose neck or using the regular fifth wheel hitch instead. Is there going to be a problem with turn if we use the ft wheel hitch. Thanks

Jason S.

10/8/2018

No problem. The fact that you have a long box and a gooseneck hitch already installed is important information. I do recommend you use a different system based on that information as base rails will not fit with a gooseneck hitch already installed. You will have adequate turning clearance because you have a long bed, but there isn't an adapter compatible with your hitch and gooseneck unless you have the B&W Turnoverball gooseneck that has the square shank ball. If that is the case, then I recommend the Curt X5 5th Wheel Base Rails Adapter for B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Trailer Hitches # 16310 which will work with your current 5th wheel hitch. I would still recommend the new hitch # BWRVK3500 over the old 14K Reese Classic if you were open to a better hitch option with that Turnoverball hitch. If your gooseneck hitch is not the B&W, then you will need to upgrade your hitch. You have the option of the Hi-Rise Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter # 9480 which is compatible with gooseneck hitches that have a rod that connects through the hitch ball. If you have a different gooseneck hitch, then I recommend the Demco Recon Gooseneck-to-5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Single Jaw - 21,000 lbs # DM8550045 which will fit over your current gooseneck hitch ball. Let me know if you have further questions.