Will I Have Enough Clearance to Tow a Fifth Wheel Trailer with 2015 Ram 2500 with Sleeper Shell

Question

Question:

Hello, I have a 2015 ram 2500 crew cab 4x4 with 64inch bed. I am purchasing a Jayco Eagle HT fifth wheel 96inch wide with standard pin box. I am considering an auto slider hitch, or a standard hitch plus airborne sidewinder. Can you please help with a couple of hitch questions? I am considering getting a sleeper shell that would take up the front 30inch of the bed, leaving about 36inch of empty bed. 1. Would that be enough space for a standard hitch and airborne sidewinder to work? 2. Would that be enough room for an auto slider hitch to work? 3. If that is not enough room, what is the minimum clear length needed to work correctly? Thank you!

asked by: David D

0

Expert Reply:

Unfortunately, there's no way you're going to get enough turning clearance with only 36 inches of bed space with either a sliding hitch or Sidewinder. You won't even be able to install the fifth wheel hitch with the sleeper shell installed. The hitch would be too far back in the truck bed.

In order to determine the amount of clearance you have you're going to need to do a little measuring and a little math.

Once installed, a fifth wheel hitch can sit either directly over or about 3 inches from the center of the axle towards the truck's cab. Placing the hitch any closer to the rear of the truck will put too much strain on the rear suspension. So you will want to meaure from this point in the truck's bed to the back of the cab. Take that number and add it to the amount of travel the sliding hitch is going to have (Or 22 inches for a Sidewinder). The amount of travel will depend on the hitch you're using. The Demco Hijacker Autoslide # DM8550034 travels up to 14 inches.

After you add those together subtract half of the width of your trailer from that. So it will be the number you calculated minus 48. That will be the amount of turning clearance you have and you want at least 4 inches.

expert reply by: Charles S

0

Answer 1

The two rails you mentioned, part #RP58058 and #C16204, are basically the exact same rails made by two different companies. They are both made to the industry standard rail design so either will work great with the Reese hitch part #RP30083 that you…

view full answer...

Answer 2

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

view full answer...

Answer 3

If this is a new hitch Demco states that the first few times you use a Hijacker like the part #DM8550034 some of the moving mechanisms might need a few uses to "wear in" and move easier. If the hitch is older and is now starting to get…

view full answer...

Answer 4

For standard pin boxes you do not need to use a locking plate with the Demco Hijacker hitch #DM8550034 but if you use the following cushioned pin boxes: Glide Ride, Mor Ryde, Trailair Tri Glide, Trailair Flexair, Rota Flex, and 5th Airborne you would…

view full answer...

Answer 5

There is a difference in the payload capacity of a truck and the pin weight it can handle as the payload is basically the amount of weight the bed can support whereas the pin weight is different since the hitch attaches to the rails and is not…

view full answer...

Answer 6

It sounds like you will need to check the hitch and the trailer pin box to see if anything has come loose, is damaged, or broken. It could be that the capture plates on the side of the HiJacker need to be adjusted and also make sure that the jaws…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Yes, the auto-slide feature of the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch #DM8550034 that you referenced will function in forward and in reverse. What slides the hitch back is the angle of the head in relation to the base of the hitch. When…

view full answer...

Answer 8

The Demco Hijacker AutoSlides like the part #DM8550034 really only can be connected/disconnected when you are totally straight. I called my contact at Demco and asked about disconnecting and the angle it can be detached. They told me that there is a…

view full answer...

Answer 9

While there is a way to use the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider #DM8550034 with a Turning Point pin box, it will basically turn your Turning Point pin box into just a standard pin box. Using them both together would create…

view full answer...

Answer 10

Uncoupling your 2015 Ford F-250 from the Demco Hijacker #DM8550034 can be a tad tricky. You need to essentially be in a straight line and also level in order to uncouple. Otherwise you won't be able to fully release from the hitch and will run…

view full answer...

Answer 11

I can help you understand why there are differentiating measurements on the Demco Hijacker #DM8550034. Both specifications are correct per the manufacture's instructions; the unit has adjustments from 15.25, 16.5, and 18.0. See attached image.…

view full answer...

Answer 12

The Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch #DM8550034 has three different height settings. The settings are 15-1/4", 16-1/2", and 18". You will want to measure from the ground to the bottom of your pin box where the king pin is…

view full answer...

Will I Have Enough Clearance to Tow a Fifth Wheel Trailer with 2015 Ram 2500 with Sleeper Shell

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching