Rambox and fiver towing, incompatible or what?

[Rustyreel]

Is the Rambox comaptible with towing a fiver?

I cant seem to find a definitive source to tell me one way or the other. I haven't bought this truck yet but I really want to. I've talked to three RV dealers and two truck specialty shops. The answers vary from "it'll probably work, I don't know, no way". Pullrite told me no in an email. Stated they don't have any application that will work in a Rambox.

I, of course, am concerned with the inside clearance around the truck bed. Since the box is smaller, I want to know before I open my checkbook. I live 30 miles from Elkhart, IN. You'd think someone around here would know...ah well.

If anybody out there does tow a fiver with this option, could you please tell me what equipment you use and maybe some part numbers? Thanks.

[Bug512]

You might want to ask this question in the 5th Wheel Discussion.

[Ray,IN]

All I have to offer is about my Reese 5er hitch and my truck. The Rambed is (I think) 4' wide inside, the distance between the wheel wells. My hitch is 4' wide, the latching handle sticks out over the wheel well. This seems it would work in the Rambed if the latching handle was modified. That appears to be the only difference between the Rambed and a normal truckbed with the saddle toolboxes behind/in front of the wheel wells.

[Franka548]

I am going to make an educated guess here, as I don't know this as fact. I would say no because of pin box hitting the side while turning. This is why you can't use a stepside bed to haul a 5er, and they are 4' wide. So I would guess that the Rambox is the same, going straight no problem, but turning id where the problem comes. Hope this helps you for what you need to look for.
Frank

[Rustyreel]

Gentlemen thanks for your replies. I may have a solution but need some second opinions.
If I correctly understand how a Sidewinder hitch functions, it would seem this may be my answer. The sidewinder changes the pivot point on a fiver to a position 22 inches behind the kingpin. This is what makes short bed towing possible. But if I am correct, it also pivots at the point where it is bolted to the camper and the pin box itself is locked in place in the hitch. If this is the case, then I'm thinking there would not be a clearance issue since the camping unit itself is set up to clear the sides of a bed by 4-6 inches. Does that make sense to anyone?

[jimcumminsw]

I would suggest that you check out this PDF file from Ram trucks. Click on the model year and then the model of truck to find the entire dimension for the pick-up trucks and beds.

http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/year.pdf

I do have a question for you. Is the Ram box offered on a 2500HD/3500HD? I thought this was only offered on a 1500 short bed truck. If you plan on buying 1500 pick-up truck make sure that the 5er is compatible with a 1/2 ton truck.
Jim W.

[Rustyreel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimcumminsw I do have a question for you. Is the Ram box offered on a 2500HD/3500HD?

Hi Jim and thanks for your reply. Yes the Rambox is available on the 2012 2500 for sure. I dont know about the 3500, I haven't looked at them but I would hazard a guess and say yes. I know there was a good deal of talk about it on the Dodge forumns when they first premiered on the 1500 back in '09 I think. It would seem Dodge has listened to their customers.