Mega Cam Ram 3500 and towing fifth wheel

gkainz wrote:
I assume you (OP) ... hmmm, was the OP the one who said they're towing with the Andersen? If so, then I'll continue - I assume you know that the Andersen gives you 4 distinct offsets from cab to 5er, depending on your positioning of the Andersen base and kingpin block ... I've posted them elsewhere on this forum and can't recall exactly where. But, you can get those measurements off the Andersen site as well.

Of course a lot depends on the corners of the fifth wheel, but the newer ones as said are pretty rounded ,and also the placement of the pin box, some are further out then others.

He's towing with the Andersen ,pretty sure he's aware that he has those four positions. I actually run the adapter putting the fifth wheel closer to my cab ,and the hitch in rearward position. With where my pin box is positioned ,and the rounded corners ,no issues with clearance, no I can't get 90 degrees nor do I want too. Wouldn't back that tight if I could.

You are saying getting measurements from Andersen, they are certainly a reference , but as said other factors determine the clearance. I had to run my previous fifth wheel with the adapter putting the fifth wheel further from the cab, pretty simple the difference in the corners of the fifth wheel, and the placement of the pin box.

I assume you (OP) ... hmmm, was the OP the one who said they're towing with the Andersen? If so, then I'll continue - I assume you know that the Andersen gives you 4 distinct offsets from cab to 5er, depending on your positioning of the Andersen base and kingpin block ... I've posted them elsewhere on this forum and can't recall exactly where. But, you can get those measurements off the Andersen site as well.

Ya'll are talking about 37" or so to the back window. Typical 5er is 8 foot wide, so half of that is 48" so the trailer will impact the cab before it is turned a full 90 degrees. Our trailer is 100" wide so, half og that is 50".

Ken

The numbers that I remember from a while back, not current models, are Ram 6.4 bed 38 inches, Ford 6.9 bed 41 inches, and GM 6.5 bed at 43 inches, axle center to cab rear. A few extra inches makes quite a difference.

I do think I could be at 38"s with my FW, and still not have much worry.

Jerry

fowlthing wrote:
Will have to check..Truck is in the shop now..I assume the gooseneck ball is over the axel.. that measured 31 best I can remember inches on both the ram and the ford

Is that 31" measuring inside the bed to the ball center . My Ram is 35" inside the bed to the ball center .

MFL wrote:
cummins 2014, and OP, my rear axle center is 41"s behind the cab of my F250 with 6"9" bed.

I measure from hitch (pin center) keeping tape level to back of cab, below window glass. I am back 40.5 inches.

I have seen broken windows, as well as dented cab corners. With the newer rounded FW fronts, it is a game changer! However, if you are unaware, don't pay attention, think you need to back to 90 degrees, you will likely have an issue. No different than a TT, enclosed utility trailer, even a boat...if you are unaware, distracted, you can cause damage.

Jerry

Well, I get right at 40" center of axle, about half way up on the window on my Ram, down where I suspect you are measuring a good honest 38.5" . It seems where I loose the most is behind the axle . If I remember my ford was 6'-9" this Ram is 6'-4" . It appears on my puck system that gooseneck ball hole is 37.5" right at 1" forward of axle center. Maybe some other Ram owners ,can verify that. I didn't get out a straight edge or level . :)

cummins 2014, and OP, my rear axle center is 41"s behind the cab of my F250 with 6"9" bed.

I measure from hitch (pin center) keeping tape level to back of cab, below window glass. I am back 40.5 inches.

I have seen broken windows, as well as dented cab corners. With the newer rounded FW fronts, it is a game changer! However, if you are unaware, don't pay attention, think you need to back to 90 degrees, you will likely have an issue. No different than a TT, enclosed utility trailer, even a boat...if you are unaware, distracted, you can cause damage.

Jerry

Will have to check..Truck is in the shop now..I assume the gooseneck ball is over the axel.. that measured 31 best I can remember inches on both the ram and the ford

fowlthing wrote:
Yes, the measurements are for cab clearance and axle.. I use an anderson hitch so the gooseneck spot is important.

I will work to amend my signature... I have 2017 F350 SRW and just got a Grand Design Solitude 375res. Thanks

Well , good for you on the Andersen , I too tow with the Andersen ,and the Megacab as said . As well as two other good friends with short beds ,one is the ford ,one is the Ram, same bed length as mine ,no problems . So we can certainly skip the hitch discussion on this thread . :) FYI the friend with the Ram ,runs the gooseneck ball connection Aluminum Andersen. The other friend ,and I have the rail mount steel Andersen.

fowlthing wrote:
Thinking about getting a Ram and trying to decide if the 3500 mega cab is a good choice for towing a fifth wheel. By my measurements my 2017 F350 and the dodge mega cab have within 1/2 inch or identical distance from the back of the cab to the goose neck ball.

It would appear the Mega cab will work... my new to me 5ver is 14500 empty and also want to know the difference between the 3500 and 2500 ram. Is it the springs... axel size what is the difference.

Thoughts are welcome....I don't regret getting the f350 .. but never had a F250 so hard to tell..


Thanks for input.

For starters you won't regret the Megacab . Mine is a 2014 3500 Megacab, and with these newer fifth wheels there is no concern with cab clearance . Have towed two different fifth wheels ,with two different hitch, no issues . We can certainly get into hitches later ,but as far as the truck its been great . You might be asking a bit much for a SRW with any of the trucks with the weight you have.

The one nice thing, is the Megacab comes in a short bed dually . The best of two worlds for us that don't want, need ,or like long bed trucks :)