Parts Needed To Use A 5th Wheel Trailer With A 2022 Ram 2500 MegaCab With Ram Boxes

Published 01/13/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs

(607)

$375.67

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

(224)

$296.64

Question:

I have a 2022 Ram 2500 mega cab with Ram boxes. Dealers and hitch shops are all saying varying things including that I must convert to gooseneck. Reading info on your site I think there’s a solution with a 5th wheel hitch. But do I need a slider hitch? Can I retrofit a puck system even though Ram would not offer it factory? I’d really appreciate if you can tell me exactly what to buy and have done. Including part numbers. I’ll place the order immediately. Thanks.

asked by: Doug F

Expert Reply:

A sliding 5th wheel like the Curt Fifth Wheel Hitch # C16541 would be used typically on short bed trucks, due to the mounting placement of the hitch being closer to the cab of the truck. With the slider, the hitch will gain usually 12-14" of travel to move your trailer safely out of the way when making tight turns so you do not damage the vehicle.

On the other hand, if you have a long bed, you'll use a fixed hitch like Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lb # C16115. Because of the extra space on a long bed truck, the hitch is mounted farther from the cab, eliminating the need of a slider.

However, for your truck, since you have the Ram Boxes, your only solution is to use a fixed hitch like # C16115 and a Sidewinder pin box. Sidewinder's are pin box specific, so if you let me know what pin box you have, I can get you set up with the correct pin box. There should be a sticker somewhere on your pin box that will tell you which one you have.

Because of the way the Ram Boxes are designed, without a sidewinder you will hit your Ram Boxes with your regular fixed pin box when you make a tight turn. The Sidewinder relieves that problem by pushing the pivot point back farther away giving you the needed clearance when turning.

You'll also need to install the Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Ram Truck # C16427-204 so the fifth wheel can mount to your vehicle.