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08-01-2020, 01:29 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cumberland
Posts: 28
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Short bed Ram 2500
I would like to hear some of your knowledge of towing a fifth wheel with a ram short bed. I am purchasing my first fifth wheel so not sure what to expect for turning radius during forward travel. Are 90 degree turns at intersections create any problems with can clearance? I getting a B&W Patriot manual slider for a hitch.
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08-01-2020, 01:51 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Trinidad,TX
Posts: 973
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The slider is a good choice. You may need the clearance backing into a camping site. You should not have trouble with normal driving. It is rare to turn that short.
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Woody
Cedar Creek Lake, Texas
2019 Laredo 290 SRL
2019 Ram 2500, 4x4, Cummins diesel
Andersen hitch
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08-01-2020, 02:07 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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May want to check the payload of your 2500, the yellow/white sticker on drivers door jamb that states "occupants & cargo must not exceed XXXX lbs", against the gross pin weight, 20-25% of the RV GVWR, of the 5th wheel of your choice. Depending on how it's equipped some 2500s are a bit shy of payload for 5th wheel pin weights. Just FYI, the truck manufacturer max tow weight means absolutely nothing without the payload to carry it & the rv dry weights also mean nothing to you.
The newer 5th wheels with the notched lower front corners are much better at turning with short bed trucks, caution is still required when in near 90 degree turns.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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08-01-2020, 02:09 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cumberland
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody
The slider is a good choice. You may need the clearance backing into a camping site. You should not have trouble with normal driving. It is rare to turn that short.
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Thanks for your input. I've been a little nervous about it. I've pulled TT for years but decided to go to a fifth wheel due to everyone saying they tow better. We pick it up next Thursday and have a few sharp corners on the way home. I told my wife we at some point we need to find a big parking lot to see turning ability.
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08-01-2020, 02:12 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 2,907
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After initially having a manual slider and having to stop in the middle of the road to manually slide it before maneuvering and then having to slide it back again, we upgraded to a Pullrite Superglide automatic slider. Never have to even think about not having clearance now. https://www.pullrite.com/products/superglide
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402 Montana
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC
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08-01-2020, 02:14 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cumberland
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelin texans
May want to check the payload of your 2500, the yellow/white sticker on drivers door jamb that states "occupants & cargo must not exceed XXXX lbs", against the gross pin weight, 20-25% of the RV GVWR, of the 5th wheel of your choice. Depending on how it's equipped some 2500s are a bit shy of payload for 5th wheel pin weights. Just FYI, the truck manufacturer max tow weight means absolutely nothing without the payload to carry it & the rv dry weights also mean nothing to you.
The newer 5th wheels with the notched lower front corners are much better at turning with short bed trucks, caution is still required when in near 90 degree turns.
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My pay load is 3070 lbs so I should be good there. Loaded pin weight should be 2040 lbs. With hith and me and wife I should be 2560 lbs if my calculations are correct.
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08-01-2020, 03:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,223
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We use the Anderson Ultimate hitch and have had nor problems with clearance between our Cougar and the Ram cab. No slider needed. The front caps on the new 5rs have cut outs to minimize any clearance issues.
We've had several "opportunities" to make U turns on city streets as well as negotiate several tight spots in campgrounds with no issues.
The other nice thing about the Anderson is it's light weight and is easily removed when not needed for towing.
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
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08-01-2020, 04:21 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 3,010
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If the front of the fifth wheel has contoured radius corners the slider hitch most likely will never be used...
I tow with a short bed truck... GMC... in 7 years of use on road and off road I’ve never once thought about using the soldier function of my hitch...
I also do not back and will not back at 90 degrees... it’s too hard on the tires and suspension on the fifth wheel....great way to break or stress the welds on the spring hangers.
__________________
2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
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08-01-2020, 05:00 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,981
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I tow our 2014 Cougar with a F250 short bed using a CURT A16 hitch. It is not a sliding hitch and I've never found the need in almost 7 years of towing the trailer to have ever wished for a sliding hitch. We regularly camp in state forest campgrounds, most are located away from populated areas, usually the access is on gravel roads, often with some significant "switchback turns and holes/washed out areas in the road"... Again, never felt a need for a sliding hitch.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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08-01-2020, 07:36 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: McDonald
Posts: 21
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I switched to a 5er from a TT on my short bed RAM 2500 this year. No problems with turning radius if you have the Andersen Hitch --- you can turn the hitch frame so that the ball is further away from cab. I do notice towing is "different" with this hitch vs. a TT plus the 5er is heavier. Seems like you feel it more in the seat vs the whole truck if that makes sense. I added airbag helper springs to help with that. The one big issue we did have is that I have vinyl bed cover and the rail of the cover reduces the space between the trailer and the bed. The dealer did not account for that and on our first trip the apron contacted the bed cover rail and scratched it up pretty badly. I moved the ball on the Andersen up one notch and that took care of it. Also make sure that the dealer installs the "lock out" on your pinbox if you need it with the Andersen. Mine mentioned it that "you can add a bracket if you want". Um, no, you need it. Good luck!
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08-02-2020, 01:40 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dade City
Posts: 1,039
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If you get a slider, check the clearance with the tail gate in the rear position. I can't use our slider without contact with the tail gate. Every set-up is a little different.
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08-02-2020, 05:18 AM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,981
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kebees42
My pay load is 3070 lbs so I should be good there. Loaded pin weight should be 2040 lbs. With hith and me and wife I should be 2560 lbs if my calculations are correct.
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Based on the payload, I take it your RAM is a gas engine? If so, is it the 5.7 or 6.4? and what ratio differentials do you have? I think you'll find the engine and gearing will make a significant difference in what you're able to comfortably tow with that truck...
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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08-02-2020, 05:35 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cumberland
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
Based on the payload, I take it your RAM is a gas engine? If so, is it the 5.7 or 6.4? and what ratio differentials do you have? I think you'll find the engine and gearing will make a significant difference in what you're able to comfortably tow with that truck...
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It's a 6.4 with 3.73 gears
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08-02-2020, 06:25 AM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,981
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kebees42
It's a 6.4 with 3.73 gears
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We've got a member who was "recently towing a travel trailer with a similar RAM". I believe he is currently "on the road" back home, but will likely "weigh in" on this discussion when he sees the thread. He just bought a new truck and a fifth wheel, so he should have some "valid, I've been there, doing that" comments to add to the discussion......
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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08-02-2020, 08:17 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cumberland
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
We've got a member who was "recently towing a travel trailer with a similar RAM". I believe he is currently "on the road" back home, but will likely "weigh in" on this discussion when he sees the thread. He just bought a new truck and a fifth wheel, so he should have some "valid, I've been there, doing that" comments to add to the discussion......
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That would be great
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08-02-2020, 08:37 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Clinton
Posts: 184
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Another Andersen hitch guy and shortbed ram person
We have the 2019 Ram 2500 and short bed. I have gone to the Andersen hitch and have my hitch offset to the rear and my pinbox Andersen set with ball to the rear. It gives me maximum turning ability. I can also raise the ball in the hitch mount to be perfect above the bed rails. The Andersen is a great hitch. I was reluctant to go with it but worked out great. I also installed Timbren suspension helpers on the rear, 6800 lb overload helpers, works great and no more blinding people with my lights Anyway my turning radius is great.
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08-04-2020, 10:59 AM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PellCity,Alabama
Posts: 52
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hitch
I have seen a Montana 5er pop the rear truck window when there was not a slider. It was the 2nd time in 6 months for the owner who was told he did not need a slider. He went the next day and got an auto slider. I don't trust myself to always remember to move a non-auto slider
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08-04-2020, 11:53 AM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cumberland
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tooth Ferry
I have seen a Montana 5er pop the rear truck window when there was not a slider. It was the 2nd time in 6 months for the owner who was told he did not need a slider. He went the next day and got an auto slider. I don't trust myself to always remember to move a non-auto slider
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I am getting a manual slider but more curious about turns while driving forward. Like 90 degree intersections or similar turns.
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08-04-2020, 01:01 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,327
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It sounds like your mind is made up and you are just curious what damage you can look forward to in city traffic. If you know you are going to be driving in the city, just pull over, activate your slide to the rear and head on in through town. If you don't, just don't turn inside lane to inside lane unless you're up close and personal with a good body man.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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08-04-2020, 01:29 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cumberland
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notanlines
It sounds like your mind is made up and you are just curious what damage you can look forward to in city traffic. If you know you are going to be driving in the city, just pull over, activate your slide to the rear and head on in through town. If you don't, just don't turn inside lane to inside lane unless you're up close and personal with a good body man.
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I've already committed to what I am buying. Maybe I should investigated a little more before. I have seen lots of people say we don't need and I purchased the manual slider just in case. I need to find a big open parking lot to see what it really does when I get it.
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