5th Wheel Rail Kit For 2023 Ram 2500 Short Bed And Curt Slider Hitch

Question

Question:

I have either a curt a20/s20 or 25 I have to verify when I get out to my truck again that was installed into a puck system for a 2022 GMC 3500 short bed and I am wanting to move that sliding hitch unit to my new truck which is a ram 2500 short bed no pick system. From what I can gather, my existing sliding hitch will “ into” a new rail set that I will install in the bed of my truck using an installation kit. I’m a bit confused due to the number of results I get for rails and install kits though when I put my truck type into the system to show what fits. First, can you confirm my understanding of how these parts go together.. I.e., my existing hitch with fit into any curt rail kit I don’t need to replace the whole hitch going from puck system to not. Then can you confirm the pn of the rail kit that I need as well as the install kit? And will those parts work for s20 and 25 or will they change based on that? Thank you.

asked by: Cody M

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Curt Slider Hitch
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2023 Ram2500 Short Bed
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Expert Reply:

Hey Cody, thanks for reaching out. I can definitely help with this. You are already on the right track. It is possible to transfer the Curt hitch in your picture over to your new 2023 Ram 1500. Your Curt hitch is actually sitting on top of a rail adapter like part # C88KR, meaning the hitch is made to fit the industry standard 5th wheel rails. All of the rail kits you see use the same standard rails; we just need to get you a rail and install kit specific to your new truck. For your 2023 Ram, here is what I recommend:

- Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Ram Truck - Carbide Finish # C16427-204

This comes with the rails, installation kit and all hardware. Once they are installed, your 5th wheel hitch will drop down right onto the rails, similar to the way it drops onto the rail adapter in your picture. That rail adapter has the same slot spacing as industry standard 5th wheel rails. Also, the rails will work with any 5th wheel hitch made for industry standard rails. Doesn't matter if its the A20 or S20 or 25 or even a different brand. They all fit the same rails.

What kind of 5th wheel are you going to be hauling?

expert reply by: Jesse M

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Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Ram Truck
(click to enlarge)

Cody M.

1/23/2026

You’re awesome. That’s what I’d come to after my research today too. Was those two part numbers so thank you for that. We pull a 2021 grand design momentum 350 G and have been pulling with a 3500 GMC but the gas version 6.6 and finally upgraded to a diesel which is what we’re moving the hitch to.

Jesse M.

1/26/2026

@CodyM Hey Cody! Glad I could help, and nice upgrade going to the diesel. That Momentum 350G is a big trailer, so moving the hitch over to the 3500 Diesel should make a noticeable difference in towing confidence. You know where to find me if anything else comes up!

Cody

1/26/2026

@JesseM Thanks again for the reply to this. Customer service has been top notch with you all which is why I will continue to do business with E Trailer going forward! Since we discussed going to the 2500 diesel from the 3500 GMC… I do have a question that I’ve not been able to get a solid answer to maybe you can help with that. After I bought the truck, I started reading the discussions in ram forms and such about the payload capacity versus towing capacity and how the ram is not able to handle very much additional payload I.E, the pin weight of the fifth wheel. Based on the specs of the 350 G and my ram 2500 bighorn with a 6 foot bed is my truck even capable of legally hauling this trailer? What weights would I need to get on a CAT scale to verify compliance as I’m obviously under the 20 K towing capacity… but unsure how to figure out the payload side I know this is totally off-topic, but I appreciate any insight you can provide.

Jesse M.

1/28/2026

@Cody Thanks for the kind words, Cody, I really appreciate that. And that’s a great question, you’re definitely not alone. Payload vs towing capacity is where a lot of people get tripped up with fifth wheels. The short version is this: pin weight is payload, not towing capacity. Even though you’re well under the Ram’s 20K tow rating, what really matters is whether the pin weight of the Momentum 350G plus everything in the truck stays under the payload rating on the door sticker of your 2500. To verify it the right way, a CAT scale is perfect. A lot of folks do end up towing big toy haulers with a 2500 and staying legal, but it really comes down to real-world scale numbers, not brochure specs.

5th Wheel Rail Kit For 2023 Ram 2500 Short Bed And Curt Slider Hitch

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