Can B and W Patriot Install in Bed of 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Short Bed

Updated 11/29/2021 | Published 10/26/2021

Question:

Hello, I am getting conflicting info. Unfortunately, I have an older, 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 V10 short bed truck. The 5th wheel were buying has a Lippert Turning Point pin box. Ideally I want to utlilize the pivot feature of the turning point with a wedge behind the Lippert king pin. I wanted to go with the BandW patriot but apparently they dont make rails to fit my older truck. The BandW Companion would be my next choice as I want to use my truck bed for other things when not pulling the trailer, and I have a rubber mat that goes into the bed of my truck that could cover the rails. Ive been told that the companion mounting style turnover ball cannot be used with the rotating pin boxes/wedge? Is this true? Thank you,

asked by: Keith B

Helpful Expert Reply:

You can use the B and W Patriot hitch part # BWRVK3200 in the bed of your 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 short bed since this hitch is designed to fit industry standard rails which we do have fit options from other brands for your truck. The Reese rail kit part # RP30035 fits your truck and the Patriot so this would work great. You can't use the Companion hitches with the Turning Point pin boxes so that would not be the route to go.

For a wedge to fit the Patriot to the Turning Point you'd want the part # SWW-03 and you'd be set.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Keith B.

11/17/2021

I was reading through the Patriot 16k hitch manual and it states the following: Do not use the Patriot 16k 5th wheel hitch with any device that changes the location of the king pin pivot point. The king pin on your trailer must rotate in the jaws of the Patriot 16k Coupler, see figure E1. Preventing the king pin from rotating within the jaws of the patriot 16k coupler with a wedge, see figure E2, or any other device, such as a Reese Sidewinder or Reese Revolution, could result in property damage, serious injury or death. Can you please confirm this? I just purchased and installed this unit to pull our new 5th wheel.

Les D.

11/23/2021

@KeithB We do not sell the Patriot 16K fifth wheel hitch, so I don't have the manual to look at. However, are you sure that you are not looking at a B&W Companion hitch manual. The Companions cannot be used with something like the Sidewinder. Double check on this and let me know if you are looking at the right manual.

Keith B.

11/23/2021

@LesD Hello and thanks. Yes, I am looking at the Patriot manual but there appears to be two different versions. One that shows what I explained above, and another that shows a wedge can be used, thus creating my confusion.

Les D.

11/29/2021

@KeithB if you are using a B&W Patriot 16K stationary fifth wheel hitch, then you can use a Sidewinder pin box and wedge. You will not use a capture plate.