Towing with Dodge short bed

GPG52 wrote:
I also experienced the same issue as LADYRVer with the slide binding the tailgate.
(2006 Dodge MegaCab with 6'4" box, 2008 KZ Dorango, 1/2ton)

Solution was installing a Reese Sidewinder, worked like a charm.

LadyRVer has a GM truck so not apples vs oranges in the OP question about a Ram truck and your Dodge. Lots of difference in C/A dimensions between the GM and the Dodge/Ram trucks.
I had to mod (cut at a angle) the aft of my old '97 5er's pin box to clear the tailgate and truck bed side rails. My pin is zero over the rear axle for max slide distance away from the cab.
I never use the slider going forward but really like the 10" it slides the pin behind the rear axle for quicker steering response and less steering input.

I use my short bed Dodge/Cummins for a 36' GN triaxle stock trailer and the 32' 5th wheel trailer.

GPG52 wrote:
I also experienced the same issue as LADYRVer with the slide binding the tailgate.
(2006 Dodge MegaCab with 6'4" box, 2008 KZ Dorango, 1/2ton)

Solution was installing a Reese Sidewinder, worked like a charm.

Another good solution is the Andersen hitch .

I also experienced the same issue as LADYRVer with the slide binding the tailgate.
(2006 Dodge MegaCab with 6'4" box, 2008 KZ Dorango, 1/2ton)

Solution was installing a Reese Sidewinder, worked like a charm.

I also experienced the same issue as LADYRVer with the slide binding the tailgate.
(2006 Dodge MegaCab with 6'4" box, 2008 KZ Dorango, 1/2ton)

Solution was installing a Reese Sidewinder, worked like a charm.

dieseldan723 wrote:
Cummins2014, thank you for the information. According to the Dodge website, when I enter the VIN of the truck I am considering, it says the Max Payload is 3954 lbs and the Max Towing is 24,734. I thought I would be fine with that trailer?

Thoughts?

Here is the website https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing/towing-guide.html

Click on the "Look Up My Vehicle" and enter a VIN.

When you start adding up those numbers ,you will find most likely a SRW is going to be overloaded, as said in previous post ,you are most likely in dually territory . Roughly the truck is 8K ,the fifth wheel is 18K ,thats 26K . I think thats how it works .

Once you look at loaded pin wt, you're probably in dually territory
SPECIFICATIONS
Hitch Weight:2220 lb.
GVWR:18000 lb.
UVW 13064 lb.
CCC 4936 lb.

Cummins2014, thank you for the information. According to the Dodge website, when I enter the VIN of the truck I am considering, it says the Max Payload is 3954 lbs and the Max Towing is 24,734. I thought I would be fine with that trailer?

Thoughts?

Here is the website https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing/towing-guide.html

Click on the "Look Up My Vehicle" and enter a VIN.

dieseldan723 wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

dieseldan723 wrote:
Good evening,

I have had two GMC short box trucks and used a Pull-Rite sliding hitch with ZERO problems. I am now looking at a new Dodge with a short box. The Dodge is two inches shorter than the GMC's I have previously owned.

I am open to another sliding hitch. Is there any issue with this setup that I should be concerned about?

Thank you all for your great advice!

Yes ,its a 6'-4" bed , and I have no problems towing my fifth wheel without a slider . My truck is the 2014 Ram Megacab ,same bed length as the Ram crew cab short bed. I have two hitches , my older Reese 18K slider ,that I have pretty much quit using, and the Andersen hitch, which is a fixed hitch, although it does have four different tow positions.

Having said this ,it will depend a lot on the type of fifth wheel, and the pin box position. My present fifth wheel has some very rounded front corners ,and the pin box extends out a little further then my previous fifth wheel. Although both fifth wheels did not require a slider. Both were towed with the Andersen without issue . Good luck with your choice .

Good information. We haven't actually purchased our 5th wheel yet, however we have our heart/mind set on the Cedar Creek 388DB.

I see that fifth wheel has a 18,000 GVWR ,thats pushing a SRW 3500 Ram truck as far as weight, considering you are going with a short bed ,unless are you looking at the Megacab 3500 dually , only short bed dually I am aware of ??

As far as hitches , I see you are going with the fifth prep , my Ram 3500 has the fifth prep, but in 2014 the choices were limited on hitches, so I went with the adapter frame that goes attaches to the puck system. ,to attach a standard rail hitch . I have since went with the standard rail steel Andersen that also attaches to the adapter. knowing what I know about some of the single point hitches now, I would still go, although some will disagree ,with the adapter ,and a four point steel Andersen hitch. It works well for me with a short bed .

You will get some good advice from others ,that also work well, I have been a few different ways with hitches ,and prefer what I have done. The next best thing would be, "IF" Andersen would come out with a four point hitch that goes to the puck system on these trucks .

JIMNLIN wrote:

LadyRVer wrote:
I used a slider in a short box and when I slid the hitch back and started to manuver, the pin box caught the tail gate... did a number on it. First time I ever used the slider... before that was super careful in backing/turning.

What year model was your Dodge/Ram truck and was the pin located over the rear axle or behind the rear axle.

It also depends a lot on the pin box. I have towed two different fifth wheels with my Andersen hitch , same truck . My previous fifth wheel I towed with the adapter putting the fifth wheel further from the cab ,closer to the tailgate without a problem. The length of the pin box on my present fifth wheel, I reversed the adapter putting the fifth wheel closer to the cab , further from the tailgate, pin box when hooked up with the previous position of the adapter ,it appeared too close to the tailgate. I didn't even attempt to tow with it ,I just reversed the adapter. I have no problem with cab clearance in that position .

cummins2014 wrote:

dieseldan723 wrote:
Good evening,

I have had two GMC short box trucks and used a Pull-Rite sliding hitch with ZERO problems. I am now looking at a new Dodge with a short box. The Dodge is two inches shorter than the GMC's I have previously owned.

I am open to another sliding hitch. Is there any issue with this setup that I should be concerned about?

Thank you all for your great advice!

Yes ,its a 6'-4" bed , and I have no problems towing my fifth wheel without a slider . My truck is the 2014 Ram Megacab ,same bed length as the Ram crew cab short bed. I have two hitches , my older Reese 18K slider ,that I have pretty much quit using, and the Andersen hitch, which is a fixed hitch, although it does have four different tow positions.

Having said this ,it will depend a lot on the type of fifth wheel, and the pin box position. My present fifth wheel has some very rounded front corners ,and the pin box extends out a little further then my previous fifth wheel. Although both fifth wheels did not require a slider. Both were towed with the Andersen without issue . Good luck with your choice .

Good information. We haven't actually purchased our 5th wheel yet, however we have our heart/mind set on the Cedar Creek 388DB.