Parts Needed to Tow 2025 Roamer Light Duty 304BHS With 2025 Ram 1500 Short Bed  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hey Edward, congratulations on the new truck and 5th wheel! With the short bed your traditional slider won't work in the truck. This leaves you with two options. The first is to use the Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ram # DM95TV. This is specifically designed to work with that short bed. Demco makes a really nice 5th wheel hitch and since this has the autoslide feature you won't have to get in an out to engage the slider.

Alternatively, you could get the Demco Recon 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ram # DM45TV. This is a fixed 5th wheel hitch that also includes the rail kit. Then to get the proper clearance you will need to replace your pin box with the Reese Sidewinder # RP34FR and use the custom wedge # RP74FR.

One of the main requests we get is for a lighter 5th wheel hitch for setups. The Recon is just under 100 lbs making it by far more manageable and lighter than the Autoslide which is pushing 300 lbs. If I were to choose one it would be the Recon and Sidewinder.

You will also need to make sure this particular pin box will fit your bolt pattern. The # RP34FR fits the following:

Fabex 663 and 665
Lippert 0719, 1621 and 1621HD
M&M 663 and 665
Lippert 1716 and 0115 (spacer kit required - sold separately)
Lippert Rhino

If you aren't sure what pin box you have now you can send me a picture of the pin box sticker and I can use that to identify it.

Any big trips planned once you get everything set up?

expert reply by: Robin H

0

Demco Recon
(click to enlarge)

Robin H.

9/2/2025

Hey Edward, did you decide to go with the Demco Autoslide or the Recon with the Sidewinder for your setup? I'm curious to know how it worked out for you, as it could help others looking for the best hitch solution for their short bed trucks.