1994-1998 Dodge 5.9L Cummins Towing Parts

Towing with the 1994-1998 Dodge Ram 5.9L Cummins

Every 12-valve Ram 2500 is the 8,800-lb GVWR heavy-duty truck with a full-floating rear axle, and every 3500 is a one-ton with dual rear wheels. Behind the engine sits either the NV4500 five-speed manual or a 47RH or 47RE four-speed automatic. These trucks did not have a factory gooseneck prep, so anything you pull rides on a receiver, a fifth wheel or a gooseneck you add. We do not quote factory tow ratings, and you should not treat an axle rating as the truck's capacity. Read the label in your door jamb and the rating stamped on every hitch part, and stay under the lowest number.

What fails and why when you tow

Three problems come up again and again on towing 12-valves.

• NV4500 fifth gear. Lugging the manual in fifth under load loosens the mainshaft nut, and the symptom is losing fifth. The fix is technique: at full throttle below 1,800 rpm, downshift to fourth.
• Trailer lights. Trailer clearance lights overload the parking-light circuit in the headlight switch until the lights quit. A relay takes that load off the switch.
• Heat. Exhaust gas temperature and transmission converter heat on long grades are the real limits. Tow trucks on the stock turbo are kept at stock fueling for that reason, and automatic trucks benefit from a transmission cooler, a deep pan and a trans-temp gauge.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

The documented second-gen tow setups use a Class V receiver rated to 12,000 lb for bumper-pull work, or a fifth-wheel hitch in the bed. Rear air springs with separate fill lines, paired with a heavy-duty rear sway bar, kept a loaded second-gen level through tow testing. A trailer brake controller is the other must-have, and in testing it needed adjustment between loads. For long bumper-pull trailers, a weight distribution hitch spreads tongue weight across the truck's axles instead of hanging it all on the rear. Whatever you choose, buy ball mounts and balls rated for what you pull.

What we carry

• B&W Trailer Hitches: Tow & Stow adjustable ball mounts in 2-, 2.5- and 3-inch shanks with standard, MultiPro/MultiFlex and pintle heads, plus a triple tow ball mount, heavy-duty ball mounts, hitch balls, reducer sleeves, a weight distribution hitch and the Turnoverball gooseneck hitch.
• Big Hitch Products: receiver hitches built for 1994-2002 5.9L Cummins Rams in stock-bumper, below-roll-pan and hidden behind-roll-pan versions, plus 2- and 2.5-inch adjustable pulling hitches.
• Air Lift: the LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Plus stainless steel upgrade, 2- and 4-inch air spring spacers, WirelessONE and WirelessAIR compressor systems and tanks, and the Single Load Controller II.
• Lucas Oil: 5th Wheel & Slider Lube for fifth-wheel plates and slider rails.

Need hitch hardware for another truck in the fleet? Browse the full hitches collection.

Fitment notes

Hitch fitment on these trucks turns on bed length (6.5-ft or 8-ft), single rear wheel or dually, and what is on the back of the truck. Fifth-wheel rails are bed-specific: an 8-ft bed suits a standard fifth wheel, and a 6.5-ft Club Cab bed needs a slider. The Big Hitch receivers are split by stock bumper versus roll pan. Ball mounts are sized by shank, so match the 2-, 2.5- or 3-inch shank to your receiver opening and pick a drop that keeps the trailer level. A 1998 can carry either the 12-valve or the 24-valve engine, so check the listing and verify by VIN when in doubt.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my NV4500 lose fifth gear after towing?

Lugging the transmission in fifth under load loosens the mainshaft nut, and fifth gear goes away. It is a known problem on trucks that tow. Downshift to fourth any time you are at full throttle below 1,800 rpm, and have the nut inspected if you have already lost fifth.

My marker lights quit when the trailer is plugged in. What gives?

The trailer's clearance lights add load to the parking-light circuit, which runs through the headlight switch, and the switch overloads. Adding a relay moves that load off the switch. A light relay and a trailer brake controller are the two towing accessories that matter most on these trucks.

Do I need air springs on my 12-valve Ram to tow?

Not for every load, but they are the documented way to keep a loaded second-gen level. Rear air springs with separate fill lines let you set each side on its own, and a compressor lets you adjust without a trip to the air hose. In tow testing, air springs plus a heavy-duty rear sway bar kept the truck level under load.

Can I add a gooseneck to a 1994-1998 Ram?

Yes, but you are adding it from scratch. These trucks did not have a factory gooseneck prep, so a gooseneck goes in as an under-bed kit such as the B&W Turnoverball. Match the kit to your bed length and to whether you drive a 2500 or a 3500 dually.

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.