2014 Dodge Ram Fifth Wheel Prep Option?

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"...

jmac2009 wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

Hotel California wrote:

jmac2009 wrote:
The Ram uses the Husky 5th wheel hitch. Having mine install Friday. A 16k slider installed for $1495.

jmac2009...are you saying that the Husky hitch will drop right into the 4 fifth wheel prep holes without the picture frame adapter?

Don't believe it will....I looked at the hitch and it has the typical rail system hook up...It would work on the picture frame adapter...For the money he's paying, sounds like he's getting rails put in or if he has the prep package, they're getting him a picture frame adapter to mount his 16K hitch to.

What I was trying to say was that Ram told me that they install the Husky 5th wheel. However, several Ram dealers dont actually do the install. They send you to 3rd party trailer hitch seller.

Tomorrow, Friday, Discount Hitches in Dallas Texas will be install the Curt slider 5th wheel on my Ram 2500. I dont think anyone makes a 5th wheel hitch that fits the prep holes directly.

The installs are no big deal....When you get the picture frame adapter, you can put it in the truck yourself...I did..It's a bit heavy at 75#, and you may have to, (or not), adjust the cam locks to make sure they're either not too loose, or not to tight, really not a big deal. A conventional Reese hitch set's down in the slotted holes and you lock the hitch onto the adapter with regular locking pins...one really doesn't need to go to a "3rd party",

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)

There are a couple of manufacturers, Reese being one of them that are in the process of fabricating a 5th wheel hitch with "legs" built onto it that fit into the 4 outside cam locks of the 5er/GN prep package.


MOPAR is charging almost $500 for their picture frame adapter and I saw a picture on the cummins forum of one that I believe Reese builds for only $313 with free shipping, (it's identical to the Mopar picture frame adapter)..and I'd look for a hitch somewhere else also, Mopars prices are ridiculous.

Here's a link to the mounting bracket:
Picture frame bracket

And the "Mopar fifth wheel hitch:
Mopar hitch

It's not clear if you need the bracket when you purchase the Mopar hitch; seems confusing if the truck is already prepped for a hitch.

Don Z.

jmac2009 wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

Hotel California wrote:

jmac2009 wrote:
The Ram uses the Husky 5th wheel hitch. Having mine install Friday. A 16k slider installed for $1495.

jmac2009...are you saying that the Husky hitch will drop right into the 4 fifth wheel prep holes without the picture frame adapter?

Don't believe it will....I looked at the hitch and it has the typical rail system hook up...It would work on the picture frame adapter...For the money he's paying, sounds like he's getting rails put in or if he has the prep package, they're getting him a picture frame adapter to mount his 16K hitch to.

What I was trying to say was that Ram told me that they install the Husky 5th wheel. However, several Ram dealers dont actually do the install. They send you to 3rd party trailer hitch seller.

Tomorrow, Friday, Discount Hitches in Dallas Texas will be install the Curt slider 5th wheel on my Ram 2500. I dont think anyone makes a 5th wheel hitch that fits the prep holes directly.

I would be very concerned about them hamburgerring up the frame. Does it have the factory prep option? Don't let them drill or weld anything to the frame!!!! If it does not have the factory prep, have RAM order those under bed parts to install, if not there. The frame is plated for that to bolt on. Most likely will have to lift bed to install. Then get the Reese picture frame and then a hitch that fits that!

Chris

NC Hauler wrote:

Hotel California wrote:

jmac2009 wrote:
The Ram uses the Husky 5th wheel hitch. Having mine install Friday. A 16k slider installed for $1495.

jmac2009...are you saying that the Husky hitch will drop right into the 4 fifth wheel prep holes without the picture frame adapter?

Don't believe it will....I looked at the hitch and it has the typical rail system hook up...It would work on the picture frame adapter...For the money he's paying, sounds like he's getting rails put in or if he has the prep package, they're getting him a picture frame adapter to mount his 16K hitch to.

What I was trying to say was that Ram told me that they install the Husky 5th wheel. However, several Ram dealers dont actually do the install. They send you to 3rd party trailer hitch seller.

Tomorrow, Friday, Discount Hitches in Dallas Texas will be install the Curt slider 5th wheel on my Ram 2500. I dont think anyone makes a 5th wheel hitch that fits the prep holes directly.

deerslayer wrote:
I just purchased my 2014 2500 a couple weeks ago, I specifically wanted the prep package. Finally found one that was ordered by another dealer (there were some other things I wanted). During my search for the truck It was very difficult to find any one local who would put a hitch in a new ram due to lack of available parts, so I made sure I got the prep package. I even worked it into the deal for them to pay for it. I tried to get the dodge adapter but the parts department was rather less than stellar with there knowledge of the prep kit so I ordered a Reese adapter from the rv dealer. Two days later it was in, took 5 minutes to install the adapter and hitch. No problems pulling the camper, only issue is I have to adjust the camper due to the truck being so much taller than my 1/2 ton. Also....I use a reese pro series 20k slider. If I were buying a new ram I would def get the prep package

Thanks for sharing that info. Do you by chance happen to have any pics of the hitch in and out of the truck? Are you able to take it out easily and quickly? Thanks again!

I just purchased my 2014 2500 a couple weeks ago, I specifically wanted the prep package. Finally found one that was ordered by another dealer (there were some other things I wanted). During my search for the truck It was very difficult to find any one local who would put a hitch in a new ram due to lack of available parts, so I made sure I got the prep package. I even worked it into the deal for them to pay for it. I tried to get the dodge adapter but the parts department was rather less than stellar with there knowledge of the prep kit so I ordered a Reese adapter from the rv dealer. Two days later it was in, took 5 minutes to install the adapter and hitch. No problems pulling the camper, only issue is I have to adjust the camper due to the truck being so much taller than my 1/2 ton. Also....I use a reese pro series 20k slider. If I were buying a new ram I would def get the prep package

Hotel California wrote:

jmac2009 wrote:
The Ram uses the Husky 5th wheel hitch. Having mine install Friday. A 16k slider installed for $1495.

jmac2009...are you saying that the Husky hitch will drop right into the 4 fifth wheel prep holes without the picture frame adapter?

Don't believe it will....I looked at the hitch and it has the typical rail system hook up...It would work on the picture frame adapter...For the money he's paying, sounds like he's getting rails put in or if he has the prep package, they're getting him a picture frame adapter to mount his 16K hitch to.