Question on fifth wheel prep 2013

[Dieselnerd]

When I order a new 2013 truck with the fifth wheel option, will that allow me to mount my B&W Companion hitch without doing any additional work?



I haven't kept up with the latest towing option offerings until I started thinking new truck.



Thanks in advance for educating me.

 

[HBarlow]

Read the literature on the Ram website. I'm sure you'll find some information on the fifthwheel towing package option.

My opinion: Unlikely that Dodge will provide a recessed pocket for your oddball B&W Companion hitch.

I'm not saying it is not a well constructed hitch product and I am aware of the fanatical loyalty of some TDR members for that brand but it is unconventional. The most commonly sold fifthwheel hitches use rails on or under the bed.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I have read the literature and looked at the pictures. The literature says factory-installed rear axle cross member with provisions for 5th wheel and gooseneck hitches.



The pictures look like the crossmember that is installed for the B&W with a hole in the center for the gooseneck ball or the center bar for the companion hitch. That's why I asked since they don't go into any details how you attach a hitch to the crossmember or whether they also sell a hitch.

 

[RVTRKN]

Seeing how B&W is the official hitch for the Pro Rodeo Circuit and Ram is also the official truck, it wouldn't surprise me. The reason we are fanatical fans about B&W, is their quality is superior than most hitches and they work well.

 

[HBarlow]

Please explain to us how a B&W which has been around for only a few years is superior to Reese which is the oldest and most widely used brand.

 

[HBarlow]

I have read the literature and looked at the pictures. The literature says factory-installed rear axle cross member with provisions for 5th wheel and gooseneck hitches.

The pictures look like the crossmember that is installed for the B&W with a hole in the center for the gooseneck ball or the center bar for the companion hitch. That's why I asked since they don't go into any details how you attach a hitch to the crossmember or whether they also sell a hitch.

You could be right. I haven't looked at the new truck website info. I'm deliberately keeping my distance from the new ones. Don't want to be tempted.

 

[RVTRKN]

B&W, their quality is superior than most hitches and they work well.

Get off your high horse and read it again, than most hitches. but I wouldn't pay for a Reese, JMHO.

 

[RustyJC]

Please explain to us how a B&W which has been around for only a few years is superior to Reese which is the oldest and most widely used brand.

I'm not saying it's superior or inferior, but as far as being around "only a few years", I'm still towing our 5th wheel with the same B&W Companion hitch I purchased in August 2001 for my 2002 Ram dually. The B&W Companion had been around for a number of years when I bought mine in 2001.



I don't know about the 2013, but when I ordered my 2011 I talked to B&W about the factory gooseneck option. They specifically stated that it WOULD NOT work with the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch. Therefore, I ordered a new B&W turnoverball gooseneck for the 2011 since the buyer of my 2002 wanted me to leave the B&W turnoverball gooseneck installed on that truck.



Rusty

 

[Dieselnerd]

I guess the question is if the B&W Companion doesn't fit, what does? Someone must make a hitch that fits in the gooseneck hole. No mention of brands of fifth wheel hitches that I've found.

Good pictures of the chassis with hitch bracket installed on this website.

http://www.allpar.com/trucks/ram/2013-heavy-duty-pickups.html

 

[HBarlow]

I didn't find the hitch bracket you mentioned in the link you provided but a gooseneck ball is normally just a 30,000 lb. 2 5/16" heavy duty ball with about a 1" threaded shaft for mounting. Does the new Ram bracket require some sort of special adapter to attach a ball or could just an ordinary ball like I described be inserted in the bracket and secured with the washer and nut they come with?

 

[RustyJC]

The B&W turnoverball gooseneck hitch uses a square hole in the hitch to receive a square-shank ball. This ball is secured by a pin that fits through a hole in the shank that's engaged and disengaged remotely using a latch located in the truck's wheel well. When the Companion 5th wheel hitch is used, the gooseneck ball is removed and a square tube adapter post is inserted and secured by the pin into the hitch. The Companion 5th wheel hitch then clamps to and is pulled down on this adapter post.



Rusty

 

[RVTRKN]

If you look at the crossmember over the rear axles it looks like the receiver is in the middle.

 

[BILLUA]

I guess the question is if the B&W Companion doesn't fit, what does? Someone must make a hitch that fits in the gooseneck hole. No mention of brands of fifth wheel hitches that I've found.



Good pictures of the chassis with hitch bracket installed on this website.



http://www.allpar.com/trucks/ram/2013-heavy-duty-pickups.html

If you get the factory prep option, you must purchase a Curt 5th wheel adapter. I didn't care for the looks of it one bit and thus did not order the package.



I will do as RustyJC did with his 2011. Hopefully B&W will have a 2013 gooseneck developed soon after the trucks hit the lots.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I sent an email to B&W asking if they are going to make an adapter. If not, I'll just put in another B&W frame piece and use my companion hitch. It was an easy install on my 2005.

I've used a variety of hitches over the years and for me the B&W has been the best. I need the clean bed with the hitch out since I also use a slide-in camper.

 

[RVTRKN]

Now that I can see the frame with the rear cross member, with my Apple, I can see what looks like to be 6 bolts that hold down the bracket. There is a good side and a bad side, the good side is, its bolted and any manufacturer can make the bracket that it bolts to the frame. The bad side is you will have to lift or remove the bed to adapt to it. Of coarse that is just by looking at the picture, so its just a guess.

 

[HBarlow]

If you get the factory prep option, you must purchase a Curt 5th wheel adapter. I didn't care for the looks of it one bit and thus did not order the package.

I will do as RustyJC did with his 2011. Hopefully B&W will have a 2013 gooseneck developed soon after the trucks hit the lots.

What did you not like about the Curt fifthwheel adapter?

Curt makes a lot of hitch equipment and Dodge apparently contracted with them to supply this part so they can't be too bad. I looked at Curt's website to try to see what their product looks like and how it attaches to the Ram frame but couldn't see enough detail to understand it.

I would think without knowing any details it would be a lot cheaper and simpler to just buy the Curt from Curt or Dodge even if it doesn't seem perfect.

 

[HBarlow]

I returned to Curt's website and approached the adapter from a different point and found a little better photo.

http://www.curtmfg.com/part/16055

The hitch ball seems to have a large, round base similar to the opening in Ram's frame mount. I don't know but wonder how the ball mount is secured in its socket. It appears it will just drop in through an appropriate sized hole in the bed floor into the frame mount.

 

[Jim W]

I guess the question is if the B&W Companion doesn't fit, what does? Someone must make a hitch that fits in the gooseneck hole. No mention of brands of fifth wheel hitches that I've found.



Good pictures of the chassis with hitch bracket installed on this website.



http://www.allpar.com/trucks/ram/2013-heavy-duty-pickups.html

Hi, Dieselnerd

I am not going to get into the debate about which hitch is better or not we each have our own opinions.



But I have always used the RAM Body Builders Guide for my information on RAM trucks and towing. There is a link for you to contact the support team from Ram; they might be able to answer your question for you.



I have attached the link for you so you can contact them with your question.



http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2013/intro.pdf



Jim W.

 

[jgillott]

A little off the subject, but does Ram provide a wiring harness in the bed with the fifth wheel prep?

 

[RustyJC]

I read that they install a 7-blade Pollak-type (i. e. , factory-type) recepticle in the bed as part of the 5th wheel or gooseneck prep package. That's a nice addition - apparently they're really paying attention to the needs of the trailer towing crowd.

Rusty