Which B&W Hitch For 2021 Ram 2500 Short Bed

Published 02/17/2022

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider for Ram Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K

(5039)

$1699.00

Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(36)

$599.00

B&W Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(162)

$260.00

B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs

(716)

$899.00

B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(5039)

$1599.00

Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Custom Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Connector - 10' Long

(234)

$137.95

Question:

I need to figure out if a certain fifth wheel hitch will work with my truck I’m looking at the band w slide hitch Question I have a short bed ram I don’t know much more about that

asked by: Joy B

Expert Reply:

The B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider is a great hitch for those with short bed trucks. The # BWRVK3670 model is a confirmed fit for the 2021 Ram 2500 with the OEM Ram Towing Prep Package (the puck system). If you have the puck system in your truck, I suggest the B&W Companion, # BWRVK3670.

If you do not have the OEM Ram Towing Prep Package, you can still use a B&W Companion model 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider rated for 20K but, you will need to use the # BWRVK3400-5W part number installed with the Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion, # BWGNRK1320-5W. The nice thing about installing a Companion fifth-wheel hitch in your truck bed with this setup is that it doubles as a gooseneck hitch when the fifth wheel is removed; and the underbed design allows for full bed access when you are not using the hitch.

The last option is also if your 2021 Ram 2500 does not have the OEM Ram Towing Prep Package but an 18K rated hitch meets the weight requirement of towing your 5th wheel RV. This would be to use the B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider, # BWRVK3270 that is installed with the B&W Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches, # BWRVK2602. This installation kit lets you mount your 5th-wheel trailer hitch in the bed of your truck using mounting brackets that install beneath truck bed and provide attachment points for the ISR above-bed base rails. This is the more "traditional" or commonly seen method and works very well. It is also more cost effective too. But, it does not allow for an empty unobstructed truck bed even when the hitch is removed. The ISR Rails will still be mounted to the bed of the truck. For some that is not an issue, everyone has their preference.

For use with any of the above listed options, I suggest the Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Wiring Harness, # C56000.

Please note the links below for product review and installation videos of the above listed products.