2010 345DBQ & Ram Shortbed

[RufousParsley]

I hope someone can help me with this issue that I may be having.

I have a 2010 345DBQ and a Ram 3500 short bed truck. I am looking into getting a new hitch, preferably a slider or something with an offset, but I can’t seem to make the measurements line up.

My pinbox on the Montana is “Extended” and it is about 31.5”-32” from the center of the kingpin to the back of the box. If I were to mount the hitch directly over the axle, it would only leave me 40” from the center of the hitch to the tailgate of my truck, which doesn’t allow for a slider hitch with more than 8” of travel.

Am I missing something here? It doesn’t seem possible to get a slider hitch in my short bed because of my extended pinbox.

Thanks in advance!

[prndl]

You seem to be forgetting that the pinbox will be turning sideways as the slider goes back.

[DQDick]

We have a Maxi cab which in essence is a short bed and use a pullrite hitch which is an automatic slider with no problem.

[Mudchief]

That is the problem you have with a extended pin box. Even without a slider some have had the back of the pin box hit the side of the bed. Some have cut off about 2 inches at a angle on the back of the pin box to solve that.

[OutlawPilot]

Is yours a situation where a 5th Airborne Sidewinder pin box would be useful? They're intended for short box towing.

[DQDick]

You don't say what year your Dodge is. My 2010 3665RE with extended pin box worked just fine with both a Reese Slider and the Pullrite I have now with our 2011 Dodge Maxi. Newer models may have higher bed sides than the 2011.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Another key ingredient is the distance between bedrails and 5er - I think the magic number is keep it over 6" - its all a real geometry challenge. I think the Airborne moves the swivel location back could make it all easier.