1994-1998 Dodge 5.9L Cummins 5th Wheel Hitches

Fifth-wheel towing on the 1994-1998 Dodge Ram 5.9L Cummins

A fifth wheel is one of the documented hitch choices for second-gen 12-valve tow trucks, and a well-known second-gen tow build ran one on Arizona grades. The rails that carry the hitch are bed-specific, so the install starts with knowing which bed you have. An 8-ft long bed suits a standard fifth wheel. A 6.5-ft Club Cab bed needs a slider hitch. Every 1994-1998 Ram 3500 has the 8-ft bed, while a 2500 Club Cab can have either length.

Keeping the hitch working

A fifth-wheel plate is the surface the trailer pivots on, and a slider adds rails that have to move freely when you shift the hitch. Both need a lubricant made for that job. How often to grease depends on how much you tow, so follow the schedule in your hitch maker's manual and clean off old grease and grit before you apply fresh.

The rest of the setup

The hitch is only part of it. A trailer brake controller and a trailer-light relay are the two accessories that matter most on these trucks: trailer clearance lights can overload the parking circuit in the headlight switch, and the controller needs adjusting between loads. If your truck has the NV4500, downshift to fourth at full throttle below 1,800 rpm so you do not loosen the fifth-gear nut.

What we carry

Right now this collection holds Lucas Oil 10030 5th Wheel & Slider Lube, made for fifth-wheel plates and slider rails. A lube is not truck-specific, so it suits any 1994-1998 Ram running a fifth wheel. For other towing hardware, browse the full hitches collection.

Fitment notes

For the hitch itself, fitment depends on bed length (6.5-ft or 8-ft), single rear wheel or dually, and the rails your bed takes. These trucks did not have a factory gooseneck prep, so plan the bed install from scratch. A 1998 can be a 12-valve or a 24-valve truck, so confirm your engine and verify the hitch by VIN before you order.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a slider hitch on my 12-valve Ram?

If you have the 6.5-ft Club Cab bed, yes. The documented guidance for these trucks is that an 8-ft bed suits a standard fifth wheel and a 6.5-ft Club Cab bed needs a slider. Every 1994-1998 Ram 3500 has the 8-ft bed.

What should I grease a fifth-wheel plate and slider with?

Use a lube made for the job, such as Lucas Oil 5th Wheel & Slider Lube, which is sold for hitch plates and slider rails. Follow your hitch maker's manual for how often to apply it, and wipe off old, gritty grease first.

What else should I set up before towing a fifth wheel with this truck?

A trailer brake controller and a trailer-light relay. Expect to adjust the controller between loads. If you drive an NV4500, downshift to fourth at full throttle below 1,800 rpm to protect the fifth-gear nut.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.