2014 Dodge Ram Fifth Wheel Prep Option?

gtsum wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

gtsum wrote:
amazing to me ram puts out the prep package and there seems to be limited, if any, aftermarket uses for it (for a fifth wheel hitch)

One really needs to do the research....almost any GN hitch works in the center hole, there are several hitches that take a drop in ball that will work in the center hole..

Then you have the picture frame adapter that will take just about any conventional 5th wheel hitch..it's there for the research and believe me...after ordering this truck in Dec....getting it in May, not getting a picture frame adapter until July....and in between trying to figure out what I should or shouldn't buy or should or shouldn't wait for...I do know a little bit about this topic.

There are quite a few, quite a few 5th wheel hitches that work with the GN/5er prep package from Ram....there are even more GN hitches that will work in a heartbeat and there are more than several hitches that sit onto or lock onto a drop in ball that will work.

One can purchase a Reese Elite drop in ball for under $200, then purchase an Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch for $449 , (free shipping on all), and in about 20-30 mins, you're ready to roll.....that option was figured out before the picture frame adapter was available.

"limited, if any, aftermarket uses for it (for a fifth wheel hitch)?.. Far from it...again, a little research proves this to be in incorrect "assumption"...

My apologies. I had seen where a few people were running the anderson hitch and it looks simple (almost too simple??), but I am a newbie who doesnt know much.

I would like something like the B&W Companion hitch (or comparable for a 14k GVW fifth) that can be easily taken out and installed within minutes for a fifth wheel. So that when I take it out within those few minutes, my bed is perfectly flat with no rails, etc. Is that is what is being developed right now, or is that already available. I have tried to research it, but perhaps I am getting confused from all the different companies?

It's already available...I remove my 5th wheel Reese Signature 20K hitch from the picture frame adapter, remove the adapter and my floor is completely empty...no rails, nothing.

The Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch is another one with the drop in ball in center hole of GN/5er prep package and the Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch, can also be put in and removed within a matter of minutes.

The only bummer with the B&W Companion hitch is that it takes a square shaft to hold it into place, where as the center hole for the Ram 5er/GN prep package comes with a round center mounting hole.

If your truck DOESN'T come with the GN/5er prep package, you can add the B& W mounting hitch and all is well....if you have the round hole, there may be something you can replace it with, but at this time, I'm not sure what.

But again, even with the picture frame adapter and a 5er hitch mounted to it, I can remove the hitch and picture frame adapter and have a completely empty bed in about 10 mins. No big deal and a lot of different 5er's DO fit the picture frame adapter...

You are correct, the install of the Andersen hitch is SO simple, even a cave man could do it::.....doesn't mean it doesn't work...more than several are using them on the cummins forum, easy in, easy out and some towing quite heavy and there doesn't appear to be any issues...."IF" opt to go another route down the road, I may very well sell my Reese and my picture frame adapter and go with the Reese Elite drop in ball and the Andersen Ultimate hitch...it's a true 5th wheel hitch and I wouldn't hesitate to use it....and it's lightweight.