Forum Discussion

BLTransport's avatar
BLTransport
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013

2013 RAM 3500 Hitch Prep

I am sure this probably been discussed but, has anyone taken out the gooseneck hitch from the factory hitch prep package and placed a B&W in the location it was removed from? After looking under a truck equipped with the factory hitch and one without, I noticed that the crossmember "appears" to be identical with the exact same bolt location holding in the factory gooseneck hitch as what would hold in the B&W set up. I also notice the the factory one only uses 4 out of the 6 possible bolt holes which seems a bit dumb. The reason I ask is that I will be purchasing a new RAM this week and the one my dealer has in stock that I want has the factory hitch prep but since I currently run a B&W with a companion I couldn't care less about the 5th wheel mounting locations in the hitch prep group but I am NOT paying $300 for a gooseneck ball or jacking with the whole "picture frame" plate just to use a different 5th wheel setup. Your thought?

Sorry so long.
Tow Vehicles
  • BLTransport's avatar
    BLTransport
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2013
    BTW, I was told that there is no adapter to go from factory hitch to a B&W style to fit the Companion.
  • BLTransport's avatar
    BLTransport
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2013
    Talked to B&W yesterday and not only do they make one for the trucks that DO NOT have the hitch prep but it also fits the trucks that do have it. All you do is remove the 4 bolts that hold the factory gooseneck hitch in and bolt the B&W hitch in it's place! This could have saved some a lot of grief. I love my B&W Companion so it's great news for me that I can but truck with or without hitch prep and be good to go.
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2013
    An e-mail I received back on May 9 from B&W.

    Thank you for your inquiry. At this time, we do not have a hitch released for the 2013 Dodge 1 ton trucks. We are in the process of designing a hitch, but do not have a good ETA for it its release. Please keep an eye on our website, www.turnoverball.com for the latest information on our newest hitch releases.

    Not positive as I haven't checked their site in a while but I'm pretty certain the old turn over ball and hitch won't work with the prep package trucks.

    Shoot them a e-mail, they respond quickly.
  • mpierce's avatar
    mpierce
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2013
    I thought B&W was making an adapter that would fit the OEM or Reese ball, so that the Companion could be used with prep package? If so, you would need nothing, except their adapter, which I thought was free?
  • BLTransport's avatar
    BLTransport
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2013
    I have seen what they offer for a truck WITHOUT the hitch prep but the one I really want because of options and color HAS the the hitch prep. From what I can tell, the gooseneck portion will unbolt with 4 bolts leaving the exact same mounting location as the trucks WITHOUT the hitch prep. I have a call in to B&W to confirm but this may make it possible to get the exact truck truck I want. I have a second color option that doesn't have the prep package but the one that does already has spray in liner and trailer plug in bed, both of which I would add anyways so if you B&W is a direct fit, I get the best of both worlds. If any of that makes sense? Just hoping someone has tried this as it looks completely possible and could have saved some people on here alot of grief over this whole hitch prep fiasco.
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2013
    If you want to keep your B&W Companion I wouldn't get the factory hitch package.
    Go to B&W website, I believe they have a couple of new items that will work in installing your hitch in a non prep hitch package Ram. IIRC they are free also!

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