B&W RVK3500 Companion hitch doesn't fit new 2014 Ram

[JDean]

Anyone heard of installation problems with the 5th wheel B&W Companion hitch in the new 2014 Ram 3500 with trailer prep? I tried ordering one with the new truck and was told by the dealer that they couldn't get parts for 2-3 weeks because B&W had a problem with either the gooseneck or the 5th wheel (they weren't sure which). My only other option was the Mopar hitch. Saved a little money, but I really wanted that B&W hitch with the turnover gooseneck ball.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Why not call B&W directly and get the correct story?
www.turnoverball.com

 

[SnoKing]

If you are trying to get the B&W hitch that installs directly in to the 4 bed pockets, than that might be an issue. The Goose neck piece that installs in the center of the bed should be available along with the Companion the sits on the floor of the bed and attaches to the goose neck ball should be available. Chris

 

[HookMeUp]

B&W makes this to fit the pucks in the bed.

http://www.turnoverball.com/products/rvhitch/companion-oem-5th-wheel-hitch-fits-ram-puck-system

 

[SnoKing]

B&W makes this to fit the pucks in the bed.

http://www.turnoverball.com/products/rvhitch/companion-oem-5th-wheel-hitch-fits-ram-puck-system

And I believe that is what they put on hold! Seems it was not fixing correctly in the 4 pockets. So this one should work.

http://www.turnoverball.com/products/rvhitch/companion-5th-wheel-hitch

Chris

 

[HookMeUp]

Isn't the socket in the factory hitch prep round?

 

[SnoKing]

Isn't the socket in the factory hitch prep round?

Yes, but the spacing of the four arms is fixed, and if the spacing on the four pucks in the bed vary, then you have a problem. The hitch I linked to uses just the gooseneck ball(single point) for attachment. Chris

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

If your trailer is under 20,000 lb, you could use the RVK3500 with the B&W gooseneck. Replace the factory gooseneck casting with the B&W which I like better anyway. If over that weight, you need to wait for the RVK3600 which again I much prefer to the factory concept of a picture frame shaped adapter and a separate hitch.

 

[JDean]

Thanks for the replies, but I ran out of time trying to run this down. If I had been better prepared to buy a truck, it might have been different, but I went in to get a noise in the rear axel looked at and ended up replacing my 2007 3500 5.9L with a 2014 3500. I full time, so I needed the truck and hitch before my reservation expired at the local state park. I was limited to what they had locally, but got close to what I wanted. And it was truck month.
I ended up with the Mopar hitch and picture frame, although I was able to get a 25K hitch to better match the capability of the truck. Maiden voyage with our 16k 5th wheel will be tomorrow morning. I'll calibrate the brake controller on the way out.
I emailed B&W to see if they had anything to say but haven't heard back.
sounds like the RVK3500 with the gooseneck should have worked, but that's what I requested and was told by the Dodge dealer here that they couldn't get anything for several weeks because of fit problems with the 2014 trucks. It's kind of academic for me now, but someone else could be better prepared. Maybe I should have taken delivery of the truck without the hitch and taken it to one of the local B&W dealers myself, but I thought going through the dealer would be faster.
Anyway, the new truck looks great. And so much quieter than the 5.9L. I couldn't get the ASIN transmission, but the 68RFE with the 3.73 rear end should be enough for my needs. Lots more than I had before. Should be fun tomorrow.
John Dean
Currently in Tyler Texas, driving a 2014 Ram 3500 6.7L 68RFE quad cab long bed dually Prairie Pearl Coat Lone Star (Big Horn) with more options than I needed.

 

[Wingate]

FYI... if you use the B&W Companion RVK3500 in the 4th gen trucks... make sure that you contact B&W directly and ask them to send you a Companion (RVK3000) Ram Feet - RVXA3120. They will supply this at no charge to you.
It is to prevent damage to the bed.

 

[Powder Extreme]

The 3500 doesn't use the feet adapters you are talking about. However you do need them with the 3000 if putting it in a 2013 or newer. The RVK 3500 has rails built into the hitch that sit on the floor of the bed.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Actually the 3500 has flat feet that accept plastic rail inserts to fill in the bed's troughs next to the "hills" it sits on. See my column in Issue 83 for a photo.

 

[Powder Extreme]

When the 3500 is installed in my truck, the only thing it is sitting on is the plastic rails that attach to the bottom of the hitch. The rails are reversible which basically changes the width of them to make sure they sit as deep in the "valleys" as possible.

 

[Wingate]

The 3500 doesn't use the feet adapters you are talking about. However you do need them with the 3000 if putting it in a 2013 or newer. The RVK 3500 has rails built into the hitch that sit on the floor of the bed.

yeah I think I have the 3000 although I havent confirmed it. Called B&W and they sent it to me free.

 

[Powder Extreme]

yeah I think I have the 3000 although I havent confirmed it. Called B&W and they sent it to me free.

Yup, you have the 3000. In fact I believe it was you who made the post about them sending the feet to you that prompted me to do the same thing with my 3000. Then later I bought just the 3500 base in effort to move my kingpin further ahead.

 

[JDean]

Heard back from B&W:
"B&W has resolved the fit issue we were having with the RVK3600 (OEM Ram Companion).* However it is on back order from the factory and we are currently 8-9 weeks out.* We also make the RVK3500 that fits into the B&W Turnoverball and has no fit problem with the Ram trucks.* Please let me know if you have any more questions or need further assistance."

So apparently the Dodge dealer was misinformed or confused about what I wanted.

 

[skorski]

I just bought a 25k companion from tweeties , they had 14 in stock 1100 to the door in two days. Fit perfict in the puck holds .

 

[Cummins12V98]

I just bought a 25k companion from tweeties , they had 14 in stock 1100 to the door in two days. Fit perfict in the puck holds .

Happy to hear that!

Pics?

 

[RVTRKN]

Heard back from B&W:
"B&W has resolved the fit issue we were having with the RVK3600 (OEM Ram Companion).* However it is on back order from the factory and we are currently 8-9 weeks out.* We also make the RVK3500 that fits into the B&W Turnoverball and has no fit problem with the Ram trucks.* Please let me know if you have any more questions or need further assistance."

So apparently the Dodge dealer was misinformed or confused about what I wanted.

It sounds like they make more profit with the Ram hitch. :-laf

 

[skorski]

Have tried it out on a short run and was very happy with it. Taking truck and 5th on a trip tomorrow.