5th Wheel & Sidewinder Needed For 2021 Ram 2500 With RamBox

Question

Question:

I bought a 2021 Ram 2500 Mega Cab short box with Ram Boxes 2 weeks ago to pull a fifth wheel camper and now Im having a hard time finding the correct combination of hitch in the truck and pin box to safely pull the RV. What is the recommendation for the hitch Goose or Fifth and what style pin box/goosebox should I look at. I would prefer to stay away from the Sidewinder set up unless that is my only option. Ultimately I would like to have a BandW hitch with an offset ball in the truck if I could just find the correct goosebox that would give the clearance I need for the sides. I guess clearance at the cab during a turn is also an issue now huh? Thanks

asked by: Shane

0

Expert Reply:

So for your set up, a 2021 Ram 2500 short bed with the RamBoxes, you will need to use a Sidewinder in order to have the clearance to tow a 5th wheel. The Goose Box doesn't move the pivot point and an offset ball just won't be enough for turning clearance; meaning your only option is the Sidewinder.

I can understand wanting to avoid the Sidewinder route due to the added cost of the Sidewinder, but without it you will basically not be able to make any type of turn without damaging your truck. We can get you set up with the right parts, though you'll need base rails and a standard 5th wheel as opposed to the B&W Companion because it mounts in a gooseneck and that set up isn't compatible with a Sidewinder.

What I recommend is going with Reese base rails that are a custom fit, as well as a Reese 5th wheel hitch that is compatible with a Sidewinder and will give you a comfortable, quiet towing experience. The correct parts for your 2021 Ram 2500 are the following:

- Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30928

- Reese Quick-Install Custom Outboard Installation Kit with Base Rails # RP56009-53

- Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Custom Wiring Harness # C56070

Then for the Sidewinder, the correct one is going to depend on the pin box your 5th wheel camper has, along with the correct wedge for the M5 hitch:

- Lippert 0719, 1621, and 1621HD: 5th Airborne Premium 5th Wheel Air Ride King Pin w/ Sidewinder and Turret # RP61422

- Lippert 1716, 1116, and 0115: Reese Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin # RP77FR

- Sidewinder Wedge Kit # RP44FR

I have added some links below to video reviews for you to check out as well if you'd like to take a look.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0

Wesley B.

9/12/2024

Hi, I have the same issue with Ram and Ram Box towing a 5th wheel. I have a 2017 3500 Ram short bed with Ram Boxes. I am looking to purchase a new Grand Design Influence 3503gk. Thanks for your help.

Reply

Answer 1

Hey Mark, so there is only one way to be able to tow a fifth wheel trailer with a truck that has Ram Boxes and that is by replacing the pin box of the trailer (if possible) with a Sidewinder pin box as that moves pivot point high enough that the pin…

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Answer 2

There is a way to to a fifth wheel trailer with your 2020 Ram 2500 that has the Ramboxes but you have to install a Sidewinder pin box on the trailer so that the pivot point is raised up high enough that there isn't interference between the pin…

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Answer 3

The only way you can safely tow a fifth wheel trailer with a Ram truck that has a Ram Box is with a Sidewinder pin box replacement as the pin box would no longer swing to the sides in the truck bed and hit the narrower bed rails. Sidewinders are pin…

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Answer 4

The B&W Companion IS compatible, but you'll need to use a Sidewinder replacement pin box because the Rambox option narrows the inside width of the truck bed. If you try to fifth wheel tow as it sits, the corners of the pin box will collide…

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Answer 5

With your truck having RamBoxes that definitely complicates things, but we got you covered. To start, you are going to need to swap out your current pin box with a rotating pin box like the Reese Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret…

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Answer 6

The SoftStartRV Soft Start #SSR54FR was designed and tested for all RVs and motorhomes. So you are correct that it can be used for a Furrion A/C as long as it is a single zone A/C. Some of the Furrion models already have a start capacitor. If you are…

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Answer 7

You can use any of the available pin boxes that are designed to fit on your trailer and not void your warranty, but in order to determine which replacement can be used you will need to know which model pin box you currently have on your 2016 Keystone…

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Answer 8

If you have no identifiers on your 2016 Keystone Cougar 333MKS then the only way to determine the bolt pattern of your pin box is to either contact the manufacturer with the frame number, which is usually extremely time consuming, or to use our guide…

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Answer 9

I spoke with my contact at Trailair and from your serial number we were able to determine that your trailer came with a 1621 HD pin box which is a long pin box style. I was unable to obtain the exact part number for your Trailair pin box but from the…

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Answer 10

I do have an option for you but there isn't a Reese Goose Box 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter available for the Lippert Rhino on an Alliance Valor 36V11. That said, we do have a similar style in the Gen-Y Hitch 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box part…

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Answer 11

You can absolutely remove your Rota-Flex pin box and replace it with a Reese Sidewinder without any issue. It will work superbly on your standard bed F-350 and allow you to go from a sliding hitch to a fixed hitch. The pros are the convenience the…

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Answer 12

Only certain B&W Companion 5th wheel trailer hitches are compatible with Sidewinder pin boxes like the RP61412. Basically if it is a Companion that mounts in the 4 pucks of a factory prep package then it can be used with a Sidewinder. But if the…

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