I dropped my truck off at the rv dealer to get a fifth wheel hitch installed. They just called to inform me that the installation is impossible on this style truck. They proceeded to take it to another dealer and also called the dodge service department; they all confirmed that a fifth wheel hitch can not be mounted in the bed of the new 2009 Ram 1500.

This is definately something to consider for those of you who have not purchased a new Ram yet. It's a shame that such a nice truck like this is so limited when it comes to towing. I now consider my Ram to be a car with a box that gets horrible gas milage (13.7 MPG is my best so far).

Anyone else out there have the same problem?

 

Did they give you a reason as to why they could not install the fifth wheel. Also, what are you hauling that you need a fifth wheel.

 

I would think that there will be something soon because of the HD's coming out this fall...there may be hope down the road.

 

The bed is too short on the crew cab for a 5th wheel. For a 'regular' shortbed truck, they have a sliding hitch so you don't knock out the back glass when you turn. In the crew cab, you wouldn't be able to turn with the 5th wheel

 

It isn't an issue with the bed length. They said that there is no where to mount the brackets to the frame. When they called the dodge service department, they said that Dodge recommends that they do not drill through the frame. The service guys told me they never heard of that before.

 

They said the frame looks twisted and there is no where to install the brackets.

I planned on towing a rather lite fifth wheel camper.

 

On the new fifth wheels they moved the hitch pin forward to accommodate the popularity of the short bed crew cab. The chevy is actually 1 inch short than the dodge and my brother tows his fifth wheel no problem.

 

It has been said already in other threads, but here it is again. If you want a 5th wheel or a big towing capacity, get the 2500 or 3500.

 

Yep, this is why we have both the 1500 and the 2500

 

I see many 1500 trucks of various brands with 5th wheel and gooseneck hitches with a short bed. The Ford and Chevy crews have about the same bed, maybe less. I bet it is the coil spring arangement with the the frame rails in the bed area. Did you check about a gooseneck. You can get an adapter for your 5th wheel trailer. I like the goose better because it does not tie up the bed.