Ram box on short bed - ill-advised for towing a 5th wheel?

MarkTwain wrote:
Just curious, what is the advantage of a 6' bed VS an 8' bed. The 8' bed eliminates all the issues of the trailer hitting the cab of the truck.

YA don't say!!!!!!!

OH they are easier to park, OH they fit in my garage, Whatever.:B

OP, the RamBox is NOT designed for a 5er!!!

I see lots of people don't know what a Ram box is...it's the tool box built in the sides of the pickup bed which makes the inside of the pickup box narrow side to side.

The answers is yes, it is a problem with a 5th wheel...you'll need a Side winder pin box (or similar brand) on your trailer to have clearance inside the pickup box for turning....This would also give you clearance for tighter turns with the short pick bed and the cab. Two different issues "Ram box" and Short bed.

ACZL wrote:
I think what OP is wondering about is opening up the RAM boxes on top of pick up box itself and not so much hitting back of cab. If I'm wrong, I apologize in advance.

Thanks for the clarification. What are RAM boxes?

I think what OP is wondering about is opening up the RAM boxes on top of pick up box itself and not so much hitting back of cab. If I'm wrong, I apologize in advance.

Watch the length of the hitch on the trailer. Too long, it'll want to run into the inside of the truck bed in a turn.

Three quick ones:

Short beds meet the 22 foot rule in places like Toroweap/Tuweep. The 22 foot rule is just an extension of the shorter, the easier to turn around.

Short beds save money on ferry crossings without the camper, like Newfoundland.

Short beds give a slight edge with sliders in tight spots, even with a notched 5er. You move the pivot behind the wheels, kinda like a conventional trailer. Slider in an 8 foot bed does the same thing, but the front sticks out 2 more feet.

If I only towed, 8 footer all the way, but I dont't. I do medium 4 wheeling after I drop the tail, plus hunting, fishing, hauling wood, apples and so on. A compromise.

Just curious, what is the advantage of a 6' bed VS an 8' bed. The 8' bed eliminates all the issues of the trailer hitting the cab of the truck.

DesertDogs wrote:

romore wrote:
Take a close look at the front corners under the nose, if they are swept back you should not have any problems. Otherwise go with an automatic slider. I can't reach the pins on my manual with the trailer hooked up, the cab has a dent as evidence, so I have to be very careful.

I haven't bought truck nor 5th wheel yet. But looking at trucks and wondering if I should avoid getting a pickup with the Ram boxes, or if it really doesn't matter.

I'd be happy to go either way - but it the right truck comes along and it HAS Ram boxes, I want to know if I should pass on it and wait for another.

Only issue I see is if the overhang clearance is too small and you wack the truck bed side...with the boxes open correctly? With a standard bed, you might have a dent but it's mostly cosmetic not functional issue...related, how much does it impact the repair price if the boxes are impacted?

romore wrote:
Take a close look at the front corners under the nose, if they are swept back you should not have any problems. Otherwise go with an automatic slider. I can't reach the pins on my manual with the trailer hooked up, the cab has a dent as evidence, so I have to be very careful.

I haven't bought truck nor 5th wheel yet. But looking at trucks and wondering if I should avoid getting a pickup with the Ram boxes, or if it really doesn't matter.

I'd be happy to go either way - but it the right truck comes along and it HAS Ram boxes, I want to know if I should pass on it and wait for another.

Take a close look at the front corners under the nose, if they are swept back you should not have any problems. Otherwise go with an automatic slider. I can't reach the pins on my manual with the trailer hooked up, the cab has a dent as evidence, so I have to be very careful.