2004.5-2007 Dodge 5.9L Cummins 5th Wheel Hitches

Fifth-wheel towing on the 2004.5-2007 Ram 5.9L Cummins

The third-generation Ram left the factory with no puck system or fifth-wheel prep in the bed. On a 2004.5-2007 truck, fifth-wheel rails install on custom under-bed brackets, and short-bed trucks run a slider hitch for clearance between the trailer and the cab. That matters most on short-bed Quad Cab and Mega Cab trucks. The truck is well suited to the work, with 600 lb-ft on 2004.5 trucks and 610 lb-ft from 2005, but a fifth wheel sets its pin weight on the rear leaf springs. Hitch hardware for every truck is on our hitches page, and the rest of the engine lineup is on the Cummins page.

What to watch for

Rear sag under pin weight is the common complaint on these trucks. The rear sits low, the headlights aim high and the trailer pushes the truck. Air helper springs with a compressor are the standard way to control it, and they are worth sorting out before your first long haul with a heavy fifth wheel. On the hitch itself, the plate and the slider mechanism are the moving parts, and they are what a dedicated fifth-wheel lube is for.

Keeping a hitch vs. setting one up

If your hitch is already in the truck and sound, keeping the plate and slider lubricated is the low-cost part of owning it. If you are setting up a truck from scratch, the decisions are bigger: a bracket kit for your bed, a fixed head or a slider, and whether the rear needs air helper springs. Bed length and cab style answer the slider question, since short-bed trucks use a slider for clearance. Call the shop if you want help sorting out brackets and sliders for your exact truck; fitment help by phone is free.

What we carry

Lucas Oil 10030 5th Wheel and Slider Lube is made for the fifth-wheel plate and the slider. It is a lubricant rather than a fitted part, so there is no truck-specific fitment to check before it goes on the hitch you already run.

Fitment notes

The lube has no truck fitment to worry about. For hitch hardware on these trucks, know your cab and bed before you call: Regular Cab, Quad Cab or Mega Cab (2006 and later), short bed or 8-foot bed, and for a 3500, single or dual rear wheel. These trucks were sold as the Dodge Ram and are filed under RAM here. On a 2007, confirm the engine, because trucks built after January 1, 2007 got the 6.7L Cummins instead of the 5.9L.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 2004.5-2007 Ram have a factory fifth-wheel prep package?

No. The 2003-2009 beds have no factory puck or prep system. Fifth-wheel rails install on custom under-bed brackets made for the truck.

Do I need a slider hitch on a short-bed Ram?

Usually, yes. Short-bed trucks use a slider for clearance between the trailer and the cab, and that is especially true of short-bed Quad Cab and Mega Cab trucks. Tell us your cab and bed if you want a second opinion.

Why does my truck sit low with the fifth wheel hooked up?

Pin weight bears down on the rear leaf springs, so the rear sits low, the headlights aim high and the trailer can push the truck. Air helper springs with an onboard compressor are the standard way to control that sag.

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.