Hitch

outwestbound wrote:

jlscjs wrote:
I've had 2 Rams and on both of them I installed the 5th wheel hitch myself. If you have the tools, basically a good drill and some help it isn't that big of a deal. There are lots of people out there on this forum and would be happy to give you some pointers if you ask, that's how I done my first one, ask a lot of questions before starting. Good luck

jlscjs, I'm looking at factory ordering a new RAM 2014 3/4 ton truck now. Do you think I should include an available fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing prep group option to my order? I've read hereand other places that RAM's rollout of this feature was a complete debacle. Evidently, inventory was being delivered without required component parts that didn't initially even exists and had to be made. Equally troubling, it seems that at first at least, only RAM had a hitch unit that would fit their designed holes in the bed, but evidently another hitch manufacturer has produced one.

As a newbie, I just want a good quality hitch and a good quality application to my truck's bed without being manipulated by any manufacturer seeking profits via proprietary equipment configurations. Thoughts?

I believe that B&W is making mounts for their Companion hitches for all factory-installed FW hitch bases. Can't go wrong with a B&W product. I have, and use, both the Turnover Ball and the Companion. Great hitches.

Lyle

jlscjs wrote:
I've had 2 Rams and on both of them I installed the 5th wheel hitch myself. If you have the tools, basically a good drill and some help it isn't that big of a deal. There are lots of people out there on this forum and would be happy to give you some pointers if you ask, that's how I done my first one, ask a lot of questions before starting. Good luck

jlscjs, I'm looking at factory ordering a new RAM 2014 3/4 ton truck now. Do you think I should include an available fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing prep group option to my order? I've read hereand other places that RAM's rollout of this feature was a complete debacle. Evidently, inventory was being delivered without required component parts that didn't initially even exists and had to be made. Equally troubling, it seems that at first at least, only RAM had a hitch unit that would fit their designed holes in the bed, but evidently another hitch manufacturer has produced one.

As a newbie, I just want a good quality hitch and a good quality application to my truck's bed without being manipulated by any manufacturer seeking profits via proprietary equipment configurations. Thoughts?

Nothing is free as others have said. Every dealer I've dealt with seemed to have a lack of knowledge when it came to hitches. Their knowledge was limited to a couple different models they happen to carry, usually lower end models.

Instead I went to a local hitch shop. Thats all they do is hitches. Gave me by far the lowest prices on the hitch plus installation and they knew what they were doing.

When we bought our fifth wheel the cost of the hitch and installation was about $550. We were told the cost would have been double that if we hadn't purchased the RV from this dealer.

The dealer where I bought my camper did the hitch install. I'm handy and could have done it, but it was easier this way for me. I picked out the hitch I wanted and they gave me 15% off the purchase, along with other odds and ends I needed at the time.

Had my dealer throw a Reese 16k on top of the price of the fifthwheel for 650.installed with rails.

My dealer charged me $1000 for a Reese's 16K slider, rails and installation. Looking on internet that seemed to be a fare price. Just remember do your research and everything is negotiable. Spend the extra money and have a B&W Companion installed, more expensive but well worth the money. Had one installed on our new truck and wow what a difference.

I've had 2 Rams and on both of them I installed the 5th wheel hitch myself. If you have the tools, basically a good drill and some help it isn't that big of a deal. There are lots of people out there on this forum and would be happy to give you some pointers if you ask, that's how I done my first one, ask a lot of questions before starting. Good luck

They'll include it, but your going to pay for it. Most people brag that a dealer threw in the hitch, no they didn't. They ain't giving stuff away, and you'll probably pay more than if you buy it yourself. My first TT I bought a weight distribution hitch from the dealer and they installed it. They charged me $750 to install a $189 hitch. They saw me coming, my fault though, I didn't do my research.

It can be, but you need to ask them to add it in. No I have not seen a dealer just through in a hitch. Some may but I doubt it.