Whats The Minimum Bed Rail Clearance Needed For A Gooseneck/5TH Wheel Trailer with a 2021 Ram 3500?

Updated 07/10/2025 | Published 10/09/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Ball and Safety Chain Loops Kit for Ram Underbed Gooseneck Hitch - 30K

(1485)

$199.39

B&W Ball and Safety Chain Kit for Ram Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch

(1576)

$299.00

Question:

I have a 2021 Ram 3500. How high should the trailer be off the bed?

asked by: Edwin

Helpful Expert Reply:

I recommend at least 6" of clearance from the top of your bed rails on your 2021 Ram 3500 to the underbelly of your gooseneck or 5th wheel trailer.

If using a gooseneck trailer and if you have the factory in bed prep/puck system there are different gooseneck balls available with different heights. The Curt Ball and Safety Chain Loops Kit # C60618 has a ball height of 4" from the top of the ball to the flange that sits on the in bed hitch. The B&W Ball and Safety Chain Kit # BWGNXA2062 has a ball height of 5-3/4" from the top of the ball to the flange that sits on the bed hitch.

For a 5th wheel trailer the hitch will generally have a height adjustment as well as the pin box to fine tune your height.

expert reply by: Bud M

Gooseneck Ball Heights For Ram Factory In Bed Prep/Puck Hitch
(click to enlarge)

Richard C.

7/10/2025

Puck system gooseneck balls. How can you tell the difference in one for a ram and Chevy?

Jesse M.

7/10/2025

@RichardC The best way to tell them apart would be with the part number. A lot of the factory puck systems use the same size ball hole so there really would not be a good way to tell them apart just by looking at them. For example the Curt Ball # C60692 works for GM, Chevy, Ford And Nissan puck systems.