Reese 20k for RAM oem hitch prep
Good evening everyone hope all is well. I have a question for those of you using a reese hitch with the RAM factory hitch preparation. I purchased another reese elite 20k for this RAM, as I really liked its operation on my 2015 gmc with universial rail system.
Upon mocking up, and test fitting my new reese elite 20k on my ram I have found that she just wont fit! As instructed I assembled the unit with everything loose, placed hitch in pucks, obviously slid into place with no issues. Tighten the head unit bolts which sucks the legs in and boom! the hitch is as tight as kryptonite. HOWEVER! I couldn't lift the hitch out with a crane if I wanted too so I loosen the bolts, make some adjustments, re-install, tighten bolts same thing!
I then measure my center to center distance on the factory hitch prep pucks, and the center to center distance on the TEE-pins on the hitch (with the head bolts snugged up)39-1/16" on the pucks, and 38-11/16 on the hitch so bang on3/8" too short on the reese hitch itself. This would be fine if it was the length of the truck as you are able to adjust the tee-pins front to back but not side to side. I have a plan to fix this... being a welder I can easily make up two full 3/16" spacer plates to cover the full face of the adjustment holes. However I am going to have to call reese to inquire about these spacer plates just for safety sake. I know there wouldn't be an issue with such a smaller spacer plate however I don't know what reese will say. I don't want liability to be passed onto me that's for sure. SOooo if I cant do the spacer plates I would say I am screwed as theres zero adjustment available in the puck system.
anyone else have this issue? with any hitch on the market ? I know I could use the hitch in this fashion as the t-handles do lock in place and there is zero play up and down but I feel as though there would be far to much tension on the Tee pins as they would be sucked into the sides of the pockets from tightening the legs, and there would also be zero chance of actually removing the hitch without undoing the hitch head bolts.
Upon mocking up, and test fitting my new reese elite 20k on my ram I have found that she just wont fit! As instructed I assembled the unit with everything loose, placed hitch in pucks, obviously slid into place with no issues. Tighten the head unit bolts which sucks the legs in and boom! the hitch is as tight as kryptonite. HOWEVER! I couldn't lift the hitch out with a crane if I wanted too so I loosen the bolts, make some adjustments, re-install, tighten bolts same thing!
I then measure my center to center distance on the factory hitch prep pucks, and the center to center distance on the TEE-pins on the hitch (with the head bolts snugged up)39-1/16" on the pucks, and 38-11/16 on the hitch so bang on3/8" too short on the reese hitch itself. This would be fine if it was the length of the truck as you are able to adjust the tee-pins front to back but not side to side. I have a plan to fix this... being a welder I can easily make up two full 3/16" spacer plates to cover the full face of the adjustment holes. However I am going to have to call reese to inquire about these spacer plates just for safety sake. I know there wouldn't be an issue with such a smaller spacer plate however I don't know what reese will say. I don't want liability to be passed onto me that's for sure. SOooo if I cant do the spacer plates I would say I am screwed as theres zero adjustment available in the puck system.
anyone else have this issue? with any hitch on the market ? I know I could use the hitch in this fashion as the t-handles do lock in place and there is zero play up and down but I feel as though there would be far to much tension on the Tee pins as they would be sucked into the sides of the pockets from tightening the legs, and there would also be zero chance of actually removing the hitch without undoing the hitch head bolts.
