Compatibility of Andersen 3200 Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection with Curt Fifth Wheel Rails

Updated 02/25/2021 | Published 02/19/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Ram Truck - Gloss Finish

(53)

$281.97

Andersen Ultimate Connection 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch System with Adapter - 20,000 lbs

(99)

$840.05

Demco Recon 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 21,000 lbs

(100)

$769.00

Question:

Is an Andersen 3200 5th wheel rail hitch compatible with these rails? This will be installed on a 2018 Ram 2500 without OEM puck system.

asked by: Aaron G

Expert Reply:

The Curt # C16427-104 bracket/rail kit is compatible with your 2018 Ram 2500, and would provide industry standard bed rails that mount in your truck bed. The Andersen # AM3200 Ultimate Connection is compatible with industry standard rails, so the two would work well together.

If you're using a rotating pin box like the Reese Sidewinder/Revolution or the Lippert Turning Point, the # AM3200 is not compatible. For a similar product, you'd want to use the Demco Recon, part # DM8550043. To prevent the king pin from rotating in the hitch jaws, you'll want to use a # SWW-05 wedge, which is compatible with the hitch funnel shape of the Recon.

The only concern would be the clearance between the front of the 5th wheel and the rear of the truck cab if you have a short bed truck. If the 5th wheel has the dished in or concave front corners, this typically isn't an issue. If your fifth wheel has a flat front, there could be a clearance problem. To determine if there will be a clearance problem, measure 36 inches from the rear of the cab. This is a good approximation of where the king pin will sit in the Recon hitch jaws.

To determine if you'll have clearance, use this formula:

(A + B) - C = Clearance

A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab

B = Length of Sidewinder arm (16K = 22", 19K = 22")

C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)

To determine clearance for the Recon, you'll want to have at least 4 inches of clearance. You'd use 36 inches for the A dimension and zero for the B dimension.

For the # AM3200, you'd use 36 inches for the A dimension and 9 inches for the B dimension.

You can see some product install/demonstration/description videos by using the provided links.