Do Jaws on Fifth Wheel Hitch Make A Difference in Hitch Quality for 2016 Ram 2500 Long Bed  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

The jaws on a trailer hitch do make a big difference in terms of the quality of the hitch, and though that is not the only factor it is certainly an important one. Like any product, fifth wheel hitches come in different styles and price points, with the higher-quality hitches with robust jaw systems often a more premium option in terms of cost.

Your Pro Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch PS30119 is a fine option and many people use these for years and are perfectly happy with it, but its dual-jaw system is not going to give you as tight of a connection with your kingpin as the single-piece jaw on the Reese M5 Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30928, for example.

What this means is you are likely going to experience more rattle, chucking and jarring with your Pro Series than a hitch with a jaw system that provides a better connection to your kingpin.

I have added a link to our entire selection of fifth wheel hitches for you to check out or if you let me know your year, make, model and bed size of your truck I'd be more than happy to make a recommendation.

expert reply by: Kyle S

1

Bruce S.

4/24/2019

Thank you so much for a straight forward and understandable answer. I have a 2016 Ram 2500 long bed. What hitch do you recommend? Is the Reese an improvement for reasons of safety or just a nicer ride? When I bought the truck they said the holes were there to install a fifth wheel hitch. I would appreciate a recommendation for Reese hitch. Again, thank you.

Kyle S.

4/24/2019

Very happy to help and to answer your question your Pro Series is perfectly safe but a fifth wheel hitch with a better jaw system will improve your towing experience overall in terms of ride quality, as the amount of chucking and jarring (back and forth movement within the hitch) will be minimized, and the amount of noise will be reduced. A better hitch will also make your coupling and uncoupling process simpler. For a Reese hitch that fits in the puck system on your 2016 Ram 2500 I recommend the Reese 5th Wheel Hitch for Ram Towing Prep Package # RP30918 because of its forged jaw which is a single piece and is self-latching so you know it will always have optimal contact with your kingpin. This hitch will fit directly into the puck system of your '16 Ram 2500 and it to make it easier to guide the kingpin into the hitch it has a 9" wide funnel, which is 3" larger than most hitches, helping limit the frustration that can occur when trying to hook up to a hitch with a smaller radius. I have added a link to a couple video reviews of this hitch for you to check out.