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Reese
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Want to take the family on a cross-country adventure? Or perhaps you're planning a shorter trip to your favorite campground. Whatever your destination, it's important to have the right equipment, especially when towing a fifth wheel trailer. To ensure proper hookup and safety while towing, you'll need something to attach your fifth wheel hitch in the bed on your truck. Many pickups come equipped with factory-installed rails or puck systems, but if you don't have one of these already installed, don't worry. REESE has an extensive line of mounting rails and bracket kits, custom-made to the exact specifications needed based on your truck's year, make, and model. REESE also offers several Industry Standard designs, as well as fastener kits, spacer kits, and a Power Puck mounting kit, so you can be sure you're covered, no matter what pickup you're using to tow. So make it easy. Make it fun. Make it REESE, so you can make the journey as enjoyable as the destination.
| BRAND: | REESE |
| PART NUMBER: | 56021-53 |
| WARRANTY: | LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY |
| WEIGHT: | 101.6 LBS |
| UNIVERSAL OR SPECIFIC FIT: | SPECIFIC |
| WELDING REQUIRED: | NO |
| MOUNTING HARDWARE INCLUDED: | YES |
| RAILS INCLUDED: | YES |
| DRILLING REQUIRED: | YES |
| MATERIAL: | STEEL |
| BOLT GRADE: | Grade 8 |
| LOCKABLE: | NO |
| COLOR: | BLACK |
Reese has designed towing equipment since 1952 and remains a benchmark for heavy-duty towing. The line covers fifth wheel hitches such as the modular M5, gooseneck couplers including the Goose Box, air-ride and short-bed pin boxes, weight distribution systems with active sway control, and the accessories that connect them, all built to exceed published industry standards.
Reese has been pioneering towing performance since 1952, when Margaret Reese asked her husband TJ to stop travel trailers rocking every time somebody walked through them. His answer, the first pair of stabilising jacks, was simple and effective enough to change the RV industry. From that starting point Reese grew into a designer and manufacturer of complete towing systems, and today it anchors the heavy-duty end of the Horizon Global towing portfolio.
Fifth wheel towing is where the brand's engineering is most visible. The M5 fifth wheel hitch uses a modular design that breaks into manageable sections for assembly, with a wider stance, tighter tolerances and a shock absorption system aimed at the jolts that travel up through a truck bed. For owners who would rather tow from a gooseneck coupler and keep the bed clear, the Goose Box 20K replaces the trailer's king pin with a gooseneck connection carrying its own air-ride cushioning.
Pin boxes are a Reese speciality. The 5th Airborne uses air-ride technology to dampen road shock and reduce the chucking motion that makes fifth wheel towing tiring, while the Sidewinder was designed for short-bed pickups, pivoting the connection point so the trailer can turn sharply without the front cap meeting the cab.
For conventional towing, Reese weight distribution systems restore load to the tow vehicle's front axle and control sway. The Pro Round Bar distributes weight evenly while damping sway, and the Pro Dual Cam II uses active cam-based sway control that works harder the stronger the sway force becomes. Complete kits pair bars, head and shank to a rated tongue weight, and dedicated sway control kits can be added to existing setups. The products suit RV owners, horse and livestock haulers and anyone towing near the upper end of a vehicle's rating.
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Yes, part 56021 is designed for 2013 to current Dodge Ram 3500 models. However, it is designed specifically to work with the 30153 REESE® Rails only. You must have or purchase the 30153 rails separately for this kit to function. The kit includes only the custom brackets to attach the rails to your truck frame; the rails themselves are supplied with part number 30153.
No. Plastic bed liners must be cut out of the way to provide metal-to-metal contact between the mounting rails and the truck bed. Spray-in liners may be installed on, but you should consult with the installer for the recommended curing time before installation.
Yes. On 2013-18 trucks with 6.5' bed boxes only, you must use a reciprocating saw to cut off the extension attached to the truck box support beams that straddles the frame. This extension is not a structural part of the truck box and is only used by the manufacturer during assembly. Cutting it off ensures that the frame brackets can mount properly to the outside of the truck frame. This step is not required for 2019-up trucks or for short-bed models.
The 56021 kit includes Fastener Kit 56021F with the following Grade 8 hardware: 2 straps, 1 driver side bracket, 1 passenger side bracket, 4 conical washers 1/2", 2 carriage bolts 1/2"-13 x 4.5", 4 hex nuts 1/2"-13, 2 bolts 5/8"-11, 1 cable tie 8.5", 2 bushings 2.773", 4 carriage bolts 1/2"-13 x 5.5", 2 flat washers 5/8", 4 conical washers 5/8", 2 hex nuts 5/8"-11, 2 wire pulls (5/8-11), 4 spacer-collars, and 2 bolts 5/8-11 x 4.5". All other fasteners mentioned in the instructions are supplied with part number 30153.
You will need: wrenches or sockets in 3/4", 15/16" and 10mm sizes; drill bits in 1/8", 9/16" and a 1 1/4" hole saw; a center punch; a measuring tape; and a reciprocating saw (required only for 2013-18 trucks with 6' beds). All fasteners are supplied with the kit.
The manual states to lower and remove the spare tire if extra room is needed. This is optional depending on your access needs. You will also need to remove the inner plastic wheel well liner to allow access to the frame, and this must be reinstalled after installation.
Before starting: (1) Lower and remove the spare tire if extra room is needed; (2) Remove the inner plastic wheel well liner to allow access to the frame; (3) Detach the two electrical harness hanger plugs from the inside driver side of the frame just rear of the fuel tank; (4) On 2013-18 trucks with 6.5' beds only, use a reciprocating saw to cut off the extension attached to the truck box support beams. Always measure your truck and trailer before installing to ensure clearance at the cab and bumper for turns.
Place the rear mounting rail in the truck bed and center it between the weld seams on the width of the truck box floor. Position it at the proper distance from the rear edge of the truck box as shown in Figure 3. For long beds, this distance is approximately 1-9/16"; for short beds, approximately 1-7/16". Use a tape measure to ensure accurate centering and positioning before marking and drilling holes.
Position the front mounting rail with the saddles/slider/goose by inserting the tabs into the mounting rail and pushing the mounting rail tight towards the rear mounting rail. Ensure that the front mounting rail is centered between the weld seams on the width of the truck box floor. This will position the mounting rail in the correct location and ensure that the 5th wheel will have a snug fit to the truck. If more than one hitch product will be used with the rails, both should be used at the same time to align the second rail and ensure one product does not compromise the fit of the other.
The drilling sequence is: (1) Mark and center punch hole positions as shown in Figure 3; (2) Drill each position with a 1/8" drill bit; (3) Temporarily position the frame bracket and check that the 1/8" holes align with the bracket slots; (4) Remove the bracket and enlarge the 1/8" holes to 9/16"; (5) On 2019-up trucks only, the 9/16" hole on the passenger side in row 2 must also go through the bed crossmember below the bed floor; (6) Enlarge row 2 holes in the bed only to 1 1/4". Do not enlarge holes in the frame itself to 1 1/4"—only the bed holes are enlarged to this size.
Yes. On 2019-up trucks only, the 9/16" hole on the passenger side in row 2 must also go through the bed crossmember below the bed floor. This is an additional requirement not needed on 2013-18 trucks. See Figure 3 for the location of this hole.
Torque all hardware to 110 ft-lbs, except for 5/8" hardware on 2013-2018 trucks, which must be torqued to 212 ft-lbs. Torque in the following sequence: first torque the mounting rails to the frame brackets, then torque the frame brackets to the truck frame. Some fasteners are installed loosely during assembly and tightened snug to keep the mounting rail from moving before final torquing.
5/8" hardware on 2013-2018 trucks must be torqued to 212 ft-lbs. All other hardware on these trucks is torqued to 110 ft-lbs. On 2019-up trucks, all hardware is torqued to 110 ft-lbs.
On 2013-18 trucks, use the shorter 5/8" bolt (item 7) with a 5/8" flat washer on the outside of the frame. On 2019-up trucks, use the longer 5/8" x 4.5" bolt (item 16) in place of the shorter bolt. The longer bolt will pass through the frame. Both are installed through the access hole on the inside of the frame using a 5/8" pull wire to route the bolt.
For 2013-18 trucks: Use the 5/8" pull wire (item 14) to install the 5/8" bolt (item 7) through the access hole on the inside of the frame. Place a 5/8" flat washer (item 11) on the bolt on the outside of the frame. Route the pull wire through the rear hole of the frame bracket, then loosely install the 5/8" conical washer (item 12) and 5/8" nut (item 13). For 2019-up trucks: Use the same process but substitute the longer 5/8" x 4.5" bolt (item 16) instead of the shorter bolt.
The U-shaped spacer (item 15, called spacer-collar) is used to eliminate crushing of the bed corrugation. It is positioned in the corrugation between the box and the mounting rail or between the box and the side bracket. The spacer is installed with the 1/2"-13 x 2 1/2" carriage bolts and tightened snug to keep the mounting rail from moving.
The bushing (item 9, 2.773" diameter) is installed into the 1 1/4" hole in row 2 of the bed. The 1/2"-13 x 4 1/2" carriage bolts (item 5) pass through the rail, bushing, box support and side bracket. The bushing helps distribute the load and provides proper fit in the enlarged hole.
During assembly, install straps, carriage bolts, side brackets, washers and nuts loosely (Step 9). Install the U-shaped spacer and carriage bolts and tighten snug to keep the mounting rail from moving (Step 10). After the front mounting rail is fully installed, tighten snug again (Step 14). Only after fully installing all 56021 custom attachment brackets should you torque all fasteners to their final specifications: 110 ft-lbs for most hardware, 212 ft-lbs for 5/8" hardware on 2013-2018 trucks (Step 15).
After fully installing the 56021 custom attachment brackets and torquing all fasteners, secure the wire harness with the cable tie (item 8, 8.5" cable tie) supplied in the kit. The harness was detached from the inside driver side of the frame in Step 2 and should be secured in its proper location.
After installation, verify that the inner plastic wheel well liner is reinstalled and the spare tire is reinstalled (if it was removed). Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification: 110 ft-lbs for most hardware, 212 ft-lbs for 5/8" hardware on 2013-2018 trucks. The manual does not specify additional post-installation checks beyond these steps.
Check the mounting system bolt tightness once per year. This is an owner responsibility to ensure the system remains secure and safe for towing.
The manual does not specify a weight capacity for the 56021 kit itself. You must refer to your vehicle's tow rating for the correct weight capacity and to the mounting bracket rating label for the correct weight capacity. Do not exceed the towing vehicle manufacturer's recommended vehicle towing capacity.
Under no circumstances do we recommend exceeding the towing vehicle manufacturer's recommended vehicle towing capacity. You must refer to your vehicle's tow rating for the correct weight capacity and to the mounting bracket rating label for the correct weight capacity.
Yes. Always measure your truck and trailer before installing the hitch to be sure that there is clearance at the cab and at the bumper to allow for turns. This is the responsibility of the installer and the owner.
The 56021 kit includes only the custom brackets and fasteners to attach the 30153 rails to your truck frame. The fastener kit 56021F contains all hardware needed for the 56021 installation. All other fasteners mentioned in the instructions (such as those for the rails themselves) are supplied with part number 30153. You must purchase the 30153 rails separately.
Yes. All bolts and nuts supplied with the 56021 kit are Grade 8 unless otherwise specified. You must use only the bolts, nuts and washers supplied with this kit to install it. Do not substitute fasteners.
Yes, part 56021 fits 2013 to current Dodge Ram 3500 models, but only when used with the 30153 REESE® Rails. The kit includes only the mounting brackets; you must purchase the rails separately.
No. Plastic bed liners must be cut away to provide metal-to-metal contact. Spray-in liners may be used with installer consultation on curing time.
Yes. You must drill holes with 1/8", 9/16" and 1 1/4" bits. On 2013-18 trucks with 6.5' beds, you must also use a reciprocating saw to cut an extension from the truck box support beams.
You need wrenches/sockets (3/4", 15/16", 10mm), drill bits (1/8", 9/16", 1 1/4" hole saw), center punch, measuring tape, and a reciprocating saw (for 2013-18 6' beds only). All fasteners are supplied.
Torque all hardware to 110 ft-lbs, except 5/8" hardware on 2013-2018 trucks (212 ft-lbs). Torque the mounting rails to frame brackets first, then frame brackets to truck frame.
Check mounting system bolt tightness once per year.
The manual does not specify a weight capacity. Refer to your vehicle's tow rating and the mounting bracket rating label. Do not exceed the vehicle manufacturer's recommended towing capacity.
Remove the inner plastic wheel well liner for frame access. Detach electrical harness hanger plugs from the driver side frame. On 2013-18 6.5' beds, cut the truck box support beam extension with a reciprocating saw. Always measure truck and trailer for cab and bumper clearance.
This indicates the holes are not properly positioned. Remove the frame bracket and verify that the 1/8" pilot holes align with the slots of the frame bracket before enlarging them. Re-measure the rail position using the tape measure and Figure 3 dimensions to ensure the rear rail is centered between the weld seams and at the correct distance from the rear edge of the truck box (30 1/8" for long beds, 28 1/8" for short beds). Mark and center punch the holes again, then re-drill with the 1/8" bit and check alignment before enlarging to 9/16".
The fasteners are not tightened snug enough. After installing the U-shaped spacer and carriage bolts in Step 10, tighten them snug to keep the mounting rail from moving. Similarly, after installing the front mounting rail in Step 14, tighten the 1/2" carriage bolts snug. Do not fully torque fasteners until all 56021 custom attachment brackets are fully installed (Step 15). If the rail continues to move, verify that the U-shaped spacers are properly positioned in the corrugation between the box and the mounting rail or between the box and the side bracket.
On 2019-up trucks only, the 9/16" hole on the passenger side in row 2 must also go through the bed crossmember below the bed floor. If your hole does not go through the crossmember, you must drill through it. Refer to Figure 3 for the location of this hole. This is a specific requirement for 2019-up trucks and is not required on 2013-18 trucks.
Verify that you are using the correct bolt for your truck model. On 2013-18 trucks, use the shorter 5/8" bolt (item 7). On 2019-up trucks, use the longer 5/8" x 4.5" bolt (item 16). The longer bolt is designed to pass through the frame on 2019-up trucks. If you are using the correct bolt and it still does not fit, the access hole may be obstructed. Clear any debris or obstruction from the access hole on the inside of the frame.
Verify that you have enlarged the row 2 bed hole to exactly 1 1/4" as specified in Step 13. The bushing (item 9) is 2.773" in diameter and is designed to fit into the 1 1/4" hole. If the hole is not enlarged to 1 1/4", the bushing will not fit. Use a 1 1/4" hole saw to enlarge the hole. Ensure you are enlarging only the bed holes in row 2, not the frame holes.
Use the U-shaped spacer (item 15, spacer-collar) to eliminate crushing of the bed corrugation. Position the spacer in the corrugation between the box and the mounting rail or between the box and the side bracket. Install the spacer with the 1/2"-13 x 2 1/2" carriage bolts and tighten snug to keep the mounting rail from moving. The spacer distributes the load and prevents the corrugation from being crushed.
Matt
Ordered online. Shipment arrived on time and with all the correct parts. Great customer service and friendly staff. Also, pricing was great!
May 22, 2023
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