Towing Capacity and 5th Wheel Hitch Recommendations for a 2016 Ram 3500 Crew Cab Long Bed 4x4 Diesel

Question:

Im using an application that checks towing numbers. The app says I cant safely tow my fifth wheel/truck combo. Im very confused. Im looking at towing a relatively small fifth wheel with one of the biggest SRW trucks around. Do I need a dually for this fifth wheel? Can you help? Fifth wheel is Grand Design Reflection 303rls, gvwr 11,995 Tow vehicle 2016 Ram 3500 SRW, crew cab, long box, 4x4, 6.7l diesel Other: passengers and gear in truck are approx. 500 lbs

asked by: Allison S

Expert Reply:

The problem is that there are several applications like the one you have used and you will get a different answer from each one. But the vehicle manufacturer has already done all of that work for you! The towing capacity is in the owner's manual. You can also look at the sticker in the door jamb. If you subtract the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) from the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) then that will tell you the towing capacity of the truck.

But I can tell you now that a 2016 Ram 3500 will have no trouble towing a 12,000 pound trailer. The lowest capacity for any 2016 Ram 3500 diesel 4x4 crew cab long bed is 14,950 pounds and that is straight from the Ram truck's 2016 towing guide!

If you need a 5th wheel trailer hitch and your truck has the factory 5th wheel prep package I recommend the B&W hitch # BWRVK3600. It is rated for 25,000 pounds and has the most front to back adjustability of any of the hitches. Plus it fits directly into the prep package.

If the truck does not have the factory prep package then I recommend an under bed installation kit because it leaves a clean and free bed when the hitch is removed and it looks more OEM. For that I again recommend the B&W setup using kit # BWGNRK1314-5W, which doubles as a gooseneck hitch, and the Companion hitch # BWRVK3500-5W that mounts in the gooseneck ball hole.

And to add a 7-Way trailer connector in the bed of the truck I recommend # 41157 which will make hooking up a trailer easier than a bumper mount 7-Way.