Are Mopar M25 Fifth Wheel Hitches Compatible With Reese Sidewinder Pin Boxes

Updated 04/26/2023 | Published 04/25/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Sidewinder Wedge for Curt A Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(96)

$53.07

Question:

We have a 2021 Keystone Cougar 316RLS which we purchased in August 2021. Our towing vehicle was a 2018 2500 Ram Big Horn gas with Ram-boxes. Due to the Ram-boxes, we used a Reese Elite Airborne Sidewinder. We used a EAZ 5th wheel hitch with rails secured to the bed. Recently we traded in the 2018 2500 Ram for a 2023 Ram Laramie diesel without Ram-boxes but already prepped for a hitch. A Mopar M25 hitch was part of the deal. Will the M25 hitch work with the Sidewinder? With the new truck we no longer have a short bed or clearance issues due to Ram-boxes. Also, will I still need to use the Sidewinder wedge? If not, is there a straightforward / quick / easy solution for the hitch. We have a long awaited trip on May 14th. So I’ll need to act fast on any alternate solutions. Thank you for your time, insight, and expertise.

asked by: Craig

Expert Reply:

Your Mopar M25 hitch is actually a Curt A-25 hitch and would be compatible with your Sidewinder pin box, you'd just need to use wedge kit # C16992 to lock the king pin into the jaws of the hitch. If your new Ram has an 8 ' bed and you no longer need the extra clearance then you can lockout the Sidewinder by installing two lockout bolts in the rear of the pin box.

If you no longer have the bolts you can pick up two 3/4 inch Grade 5 bolts along with some conical washers and nuts from your local hardware store.

After the bolts are installed the pin box will revert back to a standard pin box so you'll want to remove the wedge kit so that the king pin can rotate in the jaws of the hitch against so that you can make turns. If you have any other questions please feel free to submit them and I'd be happy to help.

expert reply by: Kevin C