I have a 2009 Ram SLT crew cab 4x4, 5.7 hemi with VCT, 3:55 rear end, tow package, and 20" wheels. My question is can I put a 5th wheel hitch in the bed? I know they make a hitch for short bed trucks but I want all your input. I am buying a toy hauler but I want a 5th wheel so when I do upgrade my truck is a couple of years then I will have the toy hauler I want. I really don't want a pumper pull.
This is my only complaint about this truck is it's towing capacity. Thanks in advance!!

 

Generally speaking you should get an HD for that, but I guess the question should be asked, how much are you going to tow?

 

Yes it can be done, some of the NEW 5th wheel trailers are tailored for 1/2 ton trucks, my neighbor pulls a 5th wheel trailer all the time with his , its not 46 feet or anything, but for he and his wife it is perfect, I think it is about 24/26 feet long, real nice....

 

The key weights to keep in mind with any 5th wheel is the tongue or kingpin weight and the load capacity of your truck. The truck may be able to tow the overall weight just fine, but if the kingpin weight is more than your truck is rated for, you should consider other options. Trailers will generally have a tongue weight of 10-15% of the weight of the trailer in order to tow well, but a 5th wheel can double or nearly triple that pretty easily for a rig that weighs the same overall. Load placement is key as well...putting a heavy toy in the back of the toy hauler may reduce your kingpin weight by shifting weight further back, but that could also affect stability.

When looking at your truck's load capacity, don't forget to include the weight of passengers and any other extras you haul around in the truck.

If you don't know the exact load capacity of your truck, go to dodge's website, download the Ram 1500 brochure, and at the end of it is a table that lists load capacities and tow capacities for all available cab, bed, drive, and gearing combinations.

 

The weight of the 5th wheels in the past is why they have LITE 5th wheels, ever since they came out ,the old school thinking was ,the term 5th wheel ment diesels only and they are huge, a half ton couldnt pull it or maybe handle it, my neighbors "5th wheel", is actually lighter than my travel trailer which is pretty light for its size. if you are really stuck on a 5th wheel look into the chart get your towing rating and add all the necessary weight like passengers and toys, and go to a dealer let him know wht you are looking for, dont let him tell you what you can pull, there are lots of choices, on another forum, there are 3 that I have seen pictures of, that are "5th WHEEL" and they pull and stop them fine. Just keep an eye on PIN WEIGHT and the rest, and you will be fine when you are deciding