Is Truck Bed's Payload Rating Amount of 5th Wheel Pin Weight it Can Carry

Updated 10/22/2018 | Published 10/21/2018

Question:

I have a 2016 ram 2500 4x4 Cummins. Bed is 6’4”. Yellow sticker says 2040 payload. Online with my specific VIN it says 2300. I am looking at a grand design 5th wheel reflection 303. Dry pin of 1700. I will clearly be over payload but nothing else. Can I safely pull this trailer. If so what hitch do you recommend. Someone suggested the blue ox super glide? Thank you.

asked by: Scott M

Helpful Expert Reply:

So the truck bed payload is different from the amount of pin weight a truck can tow. Reason being the payload is a weight rating for the bed of the truck which is a much thinner material but the pin weight connects directly to the truck frame which is much stronger than the truck bed. That's why the payload for the bed is typically considerably lower than the amount of pin weight the trailer can carry.

For your 2016 Ram 2500 short bed with the factory rail kit the B and W Companion part # BWRVK3670 would be the hitch I recommend. It fits the tow package directly and will give you the nicest hitch available. Nearly all RVers hail this hitch as the best fifth wheel hitch you can get so we recommend it highly. It's very reliable, made in the USA, easy to use, and provides a tight king pin contact.

expert reply by: Jameson C