fifth wheel hitch

I have the same truck, but with a hemi. Since it came with a goose neck, it was a no brainer to get a Champion hitch for it. When its removed, your left with a completely flat bed, no rails.
The hitch is super easy to hook up. there's no rattle for and aft, just a snug fit. I've had this set up for three years and wouldn't change anything.

MFL wrote:
IIRC, the axle center on a GM standard bed is 42"s behind the cab, which is longest of the big 3. I would not put pin center, behind axle center, unless just test towing for clearance, if you are concerned. While your FW width may be 8', the rounded nose corners will make all the difference. They are made for 6.5' bed trucks.

I am at 40.5"s pin center to cab, with my rig, and turning/backing is a non-issue.

Jerry

That's great information...thanks for sharing!
I measured the center of the T/O ball yesterday and got approximately 40", so I think you're right on.

IIRC, the axle center on a GM standard bed is 42"s behind the cab, which is longest of the big 3. I would not put pin center, behind axle center, unless just test towing for clearance, if you are concerned. While your FW width may be 8', the rounded nose corners will make all the difference. They are made for 6.5' bed trucks.

I am at 40.5"s pin center to cab, with my rig, and turning/backing is a non-issue.

Jerry

MFL wrote:


If you lock that pin box, for use with Companion, you should still have no issue with cab clearance. If Companion pin center is over axle center, or slightly forward of it, you should have good cab clearance with a GM. If you measure from pin center of hitch, to back of cab, you'll likely have 40+ inches.

Truck and FW should work great, and should be a very nice rig for you.

Jerry

Well that's the hope indeed. If I measured correctly, I should have about 45" of clearance between the center of the kingpin and the cab if the hitch is installed at the position closest to the tailgate. The trailer width is approximately 96", so without too much pitching and rolling, the turn radius should still be pretty good.

I’m with TxHitchHiker. Been towing with a 2013 3500 SRW and a SuperGlide for 4yrs. Not sure the auto slider is required with modern rounded corners, but using it sure gives peace of mind and no worries.

I towed for 13 years with a SuperGlide auto slider in a 2004 Dodge quad cab short bed are with absolutely no problems. Towing with same hitch in my new to me F350 short bed srw. Personally would not want any other brand with a short bed truck. Just my preference. Peace of mind is priceless.

WTP-GC wrote:

jeff and janice wrote:
I have a 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 with 6.5 foot bed, we want to pull a fifth wheel trailer, I need guidance on the type of fifth wheel to purchase or should I purchase a king pin extender, my truck has the factory under bed puck system

While my personal research into this topic is far from conclusive, I'd have to say that the need for a slider hitch is...maybe, maybe not ;)
From everything I'm reading, it really depends on the truck/trailer/hitch combo. Some people claim to have no issue, while others do have problems. You might consider jumping onto a forum that's focused on your specific rig's manufacturer and see if you can find some info from people who are using the same or similar setup.

We just recently purchased a new Grand Design Reflection 150 series and intend on pulling it with our shortbed (6.5) Chevy. When we first got into towing a 5er, we used a long bed Ford and a rail mounted Reese (worked fine). Then we moved into a flatbed ram (in my signature line), which made us look into the Andersen UH, mainly because we had literally no other option without making some mods to the truck. That Andersen is just fine and completely suited all our needs. However, the Andersen UH for a flatbed is not compatible with standard box trucks, so thus began our search for a new hitch. We were going to get another Andersen, but then there's the warranty issue whereby Grand Design has specifically stated that the UH would cause the warranty to be void. So, we went with the B & W Companion (for the turnover ball).

Now, the new Grand Design comes installed with a Lippert Turning Point pin box (which is not compatible with this hitch), but from my research, the truck/trailer/hitch combo should be fine for near 80-90 degree turns on relatively level ground. Once I get it, I'll set the hitch up to the furthest position to the rear of the truck to get as much clearance as possible. Fingers crossed...

If you lock that pin box, for use with Companion, you should still have no issue with cab clearance. If Companion pin center is over axle center, or slightly forward of it, you should have good cab clearance with a GM. If you measure from pin center of hitch, to back of cab, you'll likely have 40+ inches.

Truck and FW should work great, and should be a very nice rig for you.

Jerry

jeff and janice wrote:
I have a 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 with 6.5 foot bed, we want to pull a fifth wheel trailer, I need guidance on the type of fifth wheel to purchase or should I purchase a king pin extender, my truck has the factory under bed puck system

While my personal research into this topic is far from conclusive, I'd have to say that the need for a slider hitch is...maybe, maybe not ;)
From everything I'm reading, it really depends on the truck/trailer/hitch combo. Some people claim to have no issue, while others do have problems. You might consider jumping onto a forum that's focused on your specific rig's manufacturer and see if you can find some info from people who are using the same or similar setup.

We just recently purchased a new Grand Design Reflection 150 series and intend on pulling it with our shortbed (6.5) Chevy. When we first got into towing a 5er, we used a long bed Ford and a rail mounted Reese (worked fine). Then we moved into a flatbed ram (in my signature line), which made us look into the Andersen UH, mainly because we had literally no other option without making some mods to the truck. That Andersen is just fine and completely suited all our needs. However, the Andersen UH for a flatbed is not compatible with standard box trucks, so thus began our search for a new hitch. We were going to get another Andersen, but then there's the warranty issue whereby Grand Design has specifically stated that the UH would cause the warranty to be void. So, we went with the B & W Companion (for the turnover ball).

Now, the new Grand Design comes installed with a Lippert Turning Point pin box (which is not compatible with this hitch), but from my research, the truck/trailer/hitch combo should be fine for near 80-90 degree turns on relatively level ground. Once I get it, I'll set the hitch up to the furthest position to the rear of the truck to get as much clearance as possible. Fingers crossed...

There will be a need for a slider for some time until all the older none curved front caps wash out from age though.
I personally believe this one and the Super light by Pullrite will be the standard going forward with an air ride pin box to replace all the lead weights that are currently available. Like many been there and done that and will never go back.

Blazing Zippers wrote:
We have a 2016 Ram 2500 CC, 4WD, with an Andersen steel hitch and a B & W Turnover ball---works great. The steel version weighs 79 lbs.
Our real problem was the height of the truck vs. the fifth wheel. Our unit needed a 3 inch lift to make the trailer level while hooked up.
There are some companies out here that won't guarantee the frame if using an Andersen set up. Not trying to bad mouth Andersen at all, we like it. Easy in, easy out, easy to carry.

Which makes no sense, since its not a gooseneck hitch, but just the connection to the ball, its no different then connecting a B&W to a gooseneck ball. Just different way to connect to the kingpin.