1998.5-2002 Dodge 5.9L Cummins Bumper Hitches

Bumper-pull towing on the 1998.5-2002 Ram 5.9L Cummins

A bumper-pull trailer puts its tongue weight on the receiver, behind the rear axle. On a second-gen Ram 2500 or 3500, that load goes to a Dana 70 in 2500 automatics or a full-floating Dana 80 under every 3500 and 2500s with a manual transmission. The 24-valve 5.9L Cummins has the torque for it; the work on this page is getting the receiver, the drop and the weight right. A conventional receiver is the most flexible setup, and a weight-distribution hitch makes it work better with heavier trailers.

What fails and why

With heavy bumper-pull trailers, the trouble on this truck shows up in the chassis. Heavy tongue weight on a high-mileage truck with a tired track bar and bushings causes rear sag and wander that gets worse when towing. A weight-distribution hitch transfers a significant share of that weight off the rear axle, which reduces the effective tongue weight. It does not fix a worn track bar, so check the front end too.

What we carry

Big Hitch Products makes receiver hitches for 1994-2002 5.9L Cummins trucks: a 2.5-inch receiver for the stock bumper, a 2.5-inch below-roll-pan receiver, and hidden behind-roll-pan receivers in 2-inch and 2.5-inch. BHP also offers adjustable pulling hitches in 2-inch and 2.5-inch. B&W Trailer Hitches supplies Tow & Stow adjustable ball mounts in standard, MultiPro/MultiFlex and pintle versions, with 2-, 2.5- and 3-inch shanks and drops from 2.5 to 9 inches, plus a triple tow ball mount, heavy-duty ball mounts and the WDHK4500 weight distribution hitch. Browse more options in hitches.

Picking the right parts

• Receiver. Choose by your rear bumper (stock bumper or roll pan), whether you want it hidden, and the receiver size your ball mounts use.
• Shank. The ball mount shank has to match the receiver opening: 2-inch, 2.5-inch or 3-inch.
• Drop. With truck and trailer on level ground and the trailer level, measure from the ground to the top of the receiver opening and from the ground to the bottom of the coupler. The difference is the drop.
• Weight distribution. For heavy trailers on a conventional hitch, a weight distribution hitch such as the B&W WDHK4500 moves weight off the rear axle. Check its rating against your trailer.
• Pintle. The pintle-version Tow & Stow mounts are for trailers that use a pintle hookup.

Fitment notes

Receiver hitches for this truck are specific to the 1994-2002 2500/3500 frame; the third-gen frame that started in 2003 is different. The BHP receivers on this page are listed for 1994-2002 5.9L Cummins trucks, which covers the 1998.5-2002 24-valve. Ball mounts, balls and the weight distribution hitch fit by receiver size, not by truck. Stay inside the lowest rating in the chain, from receiver to ball mount to ball, and inside the truck's door-jamb label. Verify by VIN or with the fitment checker.

Frequently asked questions

Which receiver do I need, stock bumper or roll pan?

Look at the back of your truck. If it still has the factory rear bumper, the BHP stock-bumper receiver is the one. If the bumper has been replaced with a roll pan, choose a below-roll-pan receiver or a hidden behind-roll-pan receiver.

Do I need a weight-distribution hitch?

If the trailer puts heavy tongue weight on the receiver, it is worth it. A weight-distribution hitch moves a significant share of that weight off the rear axle, which improves ride and safety and eases the rear sag that makes these trucks wander under load.

How do I pick the right drop on a Tow & Stow?

Park truck and trailer on level ground with the trailer level. Measure from the ground to the top of the receiver opening, then to the bottom of the trailer coupler. The difference is the drop. Tow & Stow mounts adjust, so choose one whose listed drop covers your measurement.

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.