Reese 20k for RAM oem hitch prep

[pressure_welder]

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.

[pressure_welder]

I just finished composing an email to Reese about how many unsatisfied customers they actually have regarding this issue. I am not afraid to say that I did LOVE the operation of my 20k reese elite hitch head, I had zero issues with that setup. But then again all I have to compare it to is a 16K husky that we had a long time ago. which was also a nice hitch. As far as I am concerned there design for the RAM oem factory puck system is simply horrible, lack of adjustment, and hiding a massive jam nut inside a piece of tubing that you literally cannot adjust is frustrating as I am sure you know Jessie. The install of the B&W was quite refreshing in compairison. Iam excited to tow with it, as everyone seems to say that it is the quietest hitch on the market with little to no chucking.

[Jessie02]

pressure_welder wrote:
I can only assume it will go smoothly, there seems to be plenaty of adjustment. The biggest positive being is that it was almost a direct drop in from the box. From what I could tell I was maybe 1/8" out on one of the front pins... Loosened up the adjustment bolts on the foot and it slid in immediately. About the only part that is "time consuming" if you want to call it that about the whole project is fastening the pivot arms on. They sure do have a lot more adjustment than a guy would figure by just looking at them. The chart they give you in the instructions for positioning is also very handy and takes some guess work out of it

Unboxed and installed in just about an hour. Talk about a night and day difference in quality, ease, and design. After a couple quick, and "easy to get to adjustments", it was done. Not a rattle anywhere, solid, and I presume noise free when towing. I'll be using this hitch with the Reese Revolution and went with the middle, lowest, position for now. Glad I found this thread.

[Cummins12V98]

Using the B&W RVK3600 in a long bed truck I would advise to place the two head support arms closest to the cab and the straight edge of the supports towards the cab also. This will give you full forward position at about 2-4" ahead of center line of the rear axle. This placement will allow for some of the pin weight to transfer to the front axle. When I say "Some" my pin is over 5K and I transfer less than 150# to the front axle.

[pressure_welder]

I can only assume it will go smoothly, there seems to be plenaty of adjustment. The biggest positive being is that it was almost a direct drop in from the box. From what I could tell I was maybe 1/8" out on one of the front pins... Loosened up the adjustment bolts on the foot and it slid in immediately. About the only part that is "time consuming" if you want to call it that about the whole project is fastening the pivot arms on. They sure do have a lot more adjustment than a guy would figure by just looking at them. The chart they give you in the instructions for positioning is also very handy and takes some guess work out of it

[Jessie02]

pressure_welder wrote:
haha well the B&W came in this afternoon, quite impressed with how quickly it showed up, only ordered it on Friday. Anyway first thing I noticed was how much heavier it was than the reese! which is fine, but I must say I am a MUCH bigger fan of the design on the B&W.... I really hated that the adjustment for the reese was on the inside of the tubing where you had to use the provided wrench which lets just say did not work at all.

The installation couldn't have gone smoother took about an hour start to finish. and as you had stated Cummins12v98, I too only had very minor adjustment on one leg to let it slide into place comfortably. I had to make some minor adjustments to the castle nuts to snug up the handle operation. Best part is, I CAN REMOVE THE HITCH!! I may have some adjustments required yet to make if fit the trailer as nessecary, but so far I have it set on 17" directly over the axle so well see where that gets me when I hook up tomorrow. I like the cam activated jaws, I think that will be slick for hook up. This is my first hitch with a full wrap around jaw. Also I noticed that the side to side pivot action is controlled by two pistons? I can only assume that this really aids in a smooth operation. Anyways really looking forward to trying it out, looks like a nice hitch to me. I guess my only advice would be for everyone to stay away from Reese until they get this **** figured out! I was not the only one to return the same Reese product this week at my dealer.

Boy am I glad to hear this. Ordered my B&W today, gets here tomorrow, pick the trailer up on Wednesday.....just in the nick of time!!!

Terrible design having all the Reese adjustments inside the tubing..... and the wrench, I had to grind down one of the edges to even get it to fit inside the tubing. Looking forward to getting mine installed, hopefully it goes as smooth as yours did.

[pressure_welder]

haha well the B&W came in this afternoon, quite impressed with how quickly it showed up, only ordered it on Friday. Anyway first thing I noticed was how much heavier it was than the reese! which is fine, but I must say I am a MUCH bigger fan of the design on the B&W.... I really hated that the adjustment for the reese was on the inside of the tubing where you had to use the provided wrench which lets just say did not work at all.

The installation couldn't have gone smoother took about an hour start to finish. and as you had stated Cummins12v98, I too only had very minor adjustment on one leg to let it slide into place comfortably. I had to make some minor adjustments to the castle nuts to snug up the handle operation. Best part is, I CAN REMOVE THE HITCH!! I may have some adjustments required yet to make if fit the trailer as nessecary, but so far I have it set on 17" directly over the axle so well see where that gets me when I hook up tomorrow. I like the cam activated jaws, I think that will be slick for hook up. This is my first hitch with a full wrap around jaw. Also I noticed that the side to side pivot action is controlled by two pistons? I can only assume that this really aids in a smooth operation. Anyways really looking forward to trying it out, looks like a nice hitch to me. I guess my only advice would be for everyone to stay away from Reese until they get this **** figured out! I was not the only one to return the same Reese product this week at my dealer.

[Cummins12V98]

pressure_welder wrote:
My dealer called Reese and reamed them out, he couldn't believe they weren't alleviating the problem. Just said the was "operable" even with the issue. My B&W should be here on Tuesday so looking forward to seeing what all the hype is about. Up until now I have yet to have an issue with a Reese product. Really liked my elite series 20k. Will I notice a big different with the B&W ?

Best part is you will be a LifeMember of the B&W "HeavyWeight" Fan Boy Club :B

[Mike_E_]

"Will I notice a big different with the B&W ?"

You will be able to swell with pride knowing you have the best hitch out there :):W:B

Seriously though....great hitch and I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

[pressure_welder]

My dealer called Reese and reamed them out, he couldn't believe they weren't alleviating the problem. Just said the was "operable" even with the issue. My B&W should be here on Tuesday so looking forward to seeing what all the hype is about. Up until now I have yet to have an issue with a Reese product. Really liked my elite series 20k. Will I notice a big different with the B&W ?

[Cummins12V98]

Call Tweety's Monday when they open. They are in Texas but they have regional distribution. I have bought three B&W's from them and they all came 2-3 days after ordering. $1,159 is the price you will pay everywhere in the US, most places no shipping or tax.

I just called them they are open at 8am Central time, good people to buy from.

[Jessie02]

pressure_welder wrote:
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.

Wish I would have found this post prior to tonight. I tried installing the same hitch today (30160) and same problem as you. Won't fit no matter what I do. Worked at it for hours. Boxed it back up and returning it back to Amazon as defective. We pick our trailer up this Thursday and now I don't have a hitch. Hoping a local distributor can get the B&W RVK3600 in time for our journey to pick up the trailer.

[pressure_welder]

Thankyou very much for the information guys! Puts a guy at ease

[Cummins12V98]

Good call please report back after your first pull.

When I installed mine I had one corner that needed the slightest adjustment.

[spud1957]

At the end of the day I think you'll be very happy with the B&W. They look like a great hitch.

S

[ramgunner]

pressure_welder wrote:
WELL just made my phone call, not impressed. They wont go for the spacer plate idea which I kind of assumed. Aparently this fitment issue is a well known issue for the reese model for the RAM factory OEM prep.... which would've been great to know. So I guess my question is... before I go and send this hitch back in and buy the B&W.... does the B&W fit with zero issues?

I have two articles that will help. The first is a review of the B&W RVK3600, which explains how the hitch adjusts for the situation you are in.

http://www.ramgunner.com/rvk3600.html

When B&W first shipped the hitch, there was no adjustment in the base and the same thing happened on many trucks. They very quickly released a new base.

I also have a list of everything made for the Ram puck system at http://www.ramgunner.com/ram5thwheel.htm