Is an Offset Adapter Needed to Tow a 5th Wheel with a Gooseneck Hitch on a 2011 Ram 2500 Short Bed

Updated 02/20/2012 | Published 02/15/2012

Products Featured in This Question

Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter

(221)

$599.98

Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter w/8" Offset for Short-Bed Trucks

(221)

$599.98

Stromberg Carlson 4000 Series 5th Wheel Louvered Tailgate with Lock for Dodge Trucks

(889)

$470.14

Question:

I have a 2011 Dodge 2500 crewcab shortbed. Do I need a standard 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter or do I need an offset?

asked by: Christopher C

Expert Reply:

You will need to do some measuring to determine if you will need an adapter with offset or not, or if you will even be able to tow a 5th wheel trailer with your gooseneck hitch.

Here is how to determine if an offset would be required. First, measure from the center of the hitch in the bed of the truck, and add any amount of extension from the front of the trailer to the center of the king pin on your fifth-wheel trailer. If the king pin is recessed under the front of the trailer subtract that measurement and if it is even with the front of the trailer no addition or subtraction is needed for the king pin.

Next, measure the width of the front of the trailer and divide that measurement by two.

Now, subtract the width of the fifth wheel trailer from the distance you get after taking the first measurement and adding or subtracting for the fifth-wheel king pin location.

If your answer shows that you will have at least 4 inches of clearance with the fifth wheel attached you will not need to use an adapter. If you do not have 4 inches of clearance but 8 inches extra will give you the 4 inches needed, you will need to use the Ranch Hitch adapter with 8 inch offset, # AM3139. If 8 inches will not give you the needed clearance you will not be able to pull that trailer with the short bed truck and gooseneck hitch. Normally, 8 inches extra clearance is sufficient on a 6-1/2 foot bed truck with all but the widest 5th wheel trailers. I added a drawing, see link, the shows how these measurements should be taken to make it easier to see.

If the bed on your truck is shorter than 6-1/2 feet, you will most likely run into clearance issues and the only way to get around that would be to install a set of fifth-wheel rails in the bed of your truck.

expert reply by: Robert G