The RAM 2500 is a great beast of burden — a legendary truck. A hauls-anything-anywhere truck. It’s your get-the-job-done truck. And when you need to haul a heavy load, you must have a fifth wheel hitch to do it. Interested in learning how this wonderful tool works, follow along this article.
Why a Fifth Wheel Hitch?
Unlike a simple ball hitch, a 5th wheel hitch connects to the kingpin, mounted over the truck’s rear axle, achieving a stable towing platform and equal weight distribution between truck and trailer for safe towing and handling. Some say 5th wheel hitches let you tow more. You can tow the load. You can tow the weight. You can control the whole situation.
For any owner of a RAM 2500, you know that your 5th wheel hitch can really handle its heft, carrying a maximum 20,000+ lbs trailer, depending on your rig. Whether you need an additional point of view for your long haul across the country, or if you need to move your work rig, carrying all of that weight with your RAM 2500 5th wheel hitch will keep you on a rail at your work site.
Selecting the Right Fifth Wheel Hitch for Your RAM 2500
Before installation, choosing the right hitch is of a lot of importance. Here’s what to consider:
Weight Capacity
RAM 2500 5th wheel towing weight capacity varies by engine and cab style. You’ll want to make sure you know this information and provide the hitch’s weight as well. This can range from 12,000 – 25,000 pounds. However, a standard 5th wheel hitch will generally do the trick.
Fixed vs. Sliding Hitches
The bed of your truck also plays a major factor in the type of hitch you need. An 8 ft. long bed means that you will only need a fixed 5th wheel hitch. A 6.5” short bed means you’ll need a sliding 5th wheel hitch.
Factory Puck System Compatibility
Today’s RAM 2500 models will more often than not feature a puck system which will make installation a breeze. If you do not have this included, you’ll need to purchase mounting rails to go along with your 5th wheel hitch.
Preparing for Installation
Like any big purchase, the more prepared you are, the easier the process. To install a 5th wheel hitch on your RAM 2500, you need the following
- A torque wrench
- Drill and metal bits — but only if drilling is on the menu
- Socket set
- A measuring tape
- Safety gloves and goggles — safety is a no-brainer!
Now, before you start, make sure that where you have parked your truck is on a surface that is flat and that you have the parking brake engaged. Imagine a scenario where your truck derails and moves away right in the middle of installation. Not cool — at all!
Installing a Fifth Wheel Hitch on a Dodge RAM 2500
Step 1: Check Your Mounting System
Find out if there was a puck system in place in the RAM 2500 when you purchased it. If there was, you do not need to do anything. Just install your 5th wheel hitch as per the manufacturer’s instructions, it is fairly easy. But in the case where there isn’t, you need to buy mounting rails or a custom bracket system to fix your 5th wheel hitch in the truck bed.
Step 2: Assemble the Fifth Wheel Hitch
Now remove the 5th wheel hitch from the box and assemble the parts. This will come with the hitch head along with its base and any parts that need to be installed like the kingpin lock, etc. Follow the instructions booklet for more precise directions.
Step 3: Install Mounting Rails or Brackets
Remember, this step only applies if necessary — that is, if it doesn’t have a factory puck system:
- Mark holes for rails in the bed of the truck. You want to make sure they are absolutely aligned with the axle at the back. After that, fasten rails using bolts, washers, and nuts.
- Where you marked the holes, drill it. Bolt in place rails with the washers and nuts.
- Twist the bolts to the settings in which they are supposed to be twisted.
Step 4: Mount the Hitch
Now put the hitch base on the mounting system. Place the hitch base onto the mounting system. For the bracket mounting pucks, latch the hitch to the pucks that will receive them. For the rail mounting, slide the head of the hitch to the slots of the rail and pin it so that it’s in place.
Step 5: Put the Setup to Test
Attach your trailer to the hitch, and carefully take the truck for a test drive (in a safe place!). Check if you’ve properly locked the kingpin, if the hitch head pivots smoothly and if there’s overall stability when you turn and stop.
Common Installation Challenges and Solutions
Even with the best-laid plans, there will sometimes be installation troubles. Here’s how to hopefully prevent that:
Hitch Doesn’t Align with Mounting System
Could be you took the wrong measurements or that your hitch is just plainly not the right fit for your truck. Redo the measurements, or check with your hitch manufacturer compatibility measurements.
Tight Turns Cause Cab Contact
This issue most affects short bed trucks. A sliding hitch or a sidewinder pin box should give you the added cab and trailer clearance you need.
Excessive Sway While Towing
Wiggles too much; either forward, back, or side to side probably because of weight distribution that doesn’t match well. It should be well-balanced.
Ready to Tow with Confidence?
Putting a fifth wheel hitch on your Dodge RAM 2500 isn’t difficult. Once you have a good bed to work with, and the proper tools you will be driving down the road towing with confidence in no time. Whether it be choosing the right hitch or maintaining it for longevity, this guide will help make things simple.
When the time comes for your next adventure or work project, you can be confident that your RAM 2500 and a quality hitch will be up for the job.
