To Tow Prep or Not?

[Axion]

So, I'm looking at ordering a new 2015 3500. Ram has a tow prep option from the factory. I like having the wiring inside the bed, I'm just not sure about my options for 5th wheel receivers that fit the factory mounts.

I have a Superglide in my 2006 and it has been great. I can get various adapters to use it in the new truck but it looks like a real afterthought.

My question is this; do I get the tow prep and a new receiver to use the picture frame or do I skip the tow prep and just find and mount some other receiver system?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

[dusturbd]

I have a 5th wheel and my 14 did not have the tow prep but I sure wise it did. The only brackets I could find at the time to install my rails are from Curt towing and IMO they SUCK, so much that I am on the look out for the parts to do the factory 5th wheel prep.
I would get the factory prep if I where ordering a truck I needed a truck now and had to take what I could find at the time.

 

[JLandry]

I would get the factory prep if I where ordering a truck I needed a truck now and had to take what I could find at the time.

I agree.

The B&W drop-in Companion OEM 5th wheel hitch is pretty sweet.

John L.

 

[Axion]

So, try to utilize the 4 point picture frame or go with something like the B&W Companion that would use the gooseneck?

My current truck is a mega cab with the short box, hence the autoslider receiver. I am debating on ordering the '15 with a crew cab and the long box. Give up space in the cab to gain some space in the box. But the long box would also negate the need for a slider. Now, that being said, I have friends that run short boxes and do not have sliders. Maybe I'm just overly cautious?

 

[JLandry]

So, try to utilize the 4 point picture frame or go with something like the B&W Companion that would use the gooseneck?

Robin,

The B&W Companion OEM uses the four drop-in locking points in the bed provided by the factory tow prep... no "picture frame" needed and it doesn't use the gooseneck ball socket.

John L.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Get the prep get the B&W sell your other hitch you will thank me and others.

 

[Larry Willard]

I have the prep and used my old Reese 20K hitch with a Reese picture frame adapter. If the B&W had been available that fits the factory pucks I would have sold the Reese hitch and gone with the B&W that fits in the factory pucks.

 

[dusturbd]

So, try to utilize the 4 point picture frame or go with something like the B&W Companion that would use the gooseneck?

My current truck is a mega cab with the short box, hence the autoslider receiver. I am debating on ordering the '15 with a crew cab and the long box. Give up space in the cab to gain some space in the box. But the long box would also negate the need for a slider. Now, that being said, I have friends that run short boxes and do not have sliders. Maybe I'm just overly cautious?

I don't think you will really give up much room my 14 3500 crew cab has much lager rear doors than the rear doors on a Quad cab, I have a friend with a 14 1500 Quad cab and my doors are a good 4-6" wider than his with much more rear leg room than he has.

 

[mpaulson]

I don't think you will really give up much room my 14 3500 crew cab has much lager rear doors than the rear doors on a Quad cab, I have a friend with a 14 1500 Quad cab and my doors are a good 4-6" wider than his with much more rear leg room than he has.

It's the interior storage that you suffer the loss for on the crew cab. I went from mega to crew and now have to keep an aluminum storage box in the box to make up for all the stuff that I had packed under and behind the 07.5 mega cab.
Get the prep package and a B&W hitch that drops into the pucks, you can't go wrong and you know the wiring is done right for sure then as well. Solid no rattle fit.

 

[TJJEEPER]

The above pictures are for the Ford
Here is the link for the Dodge/Ram mount.

 

[tony1461571]

Axion My new 2014 has the prep I too think you should go with it, I will put a Superglide 2900 with the adapter. The hardest part is getting the adapter Pulrite or Reese both on back order, but can be gotten if you just look around. I got one from a person on ebay sooner and for less. I paid $475.00 shipped all others were $539.00 and up let me know if you are interested and I will give you the person's contact info. I also went with the Mega Cab Short Bed and glad I did just look at the difference in the two.

 

[Axion]

Okay, so tow prep package it is. The responses here just add to the good things I've heard about B&W. I will probably keep the old truck, so I'll keep the towing bits just in case.

My big problem right now is coming to terms with the drop in mileage. I get 22 mpg on the highway when running empty right now, I've heard I'll be lucky to get 15 with the new truck! Probably a topic for a new post but its something to consider.

 

[Axion]

Tony;

Did you get the pullrite picture frame? I kinda like the idea that it breaks down for removal and storage but as mentioned each joint is another potential rattle.

I guess I just have to decide how bad I need the slider.

 

[tony1461571]

Robin
Yes I did and I don't have it in yet. But I don't think it will rattle all that much, as it's heavy duty. It weighs about 70 to 80 lbs. And I think worth it, I'm glad I got it instead of the Reese adapter as both will work with the PullRite. On another not I did pickup my truck today Pictures to follow later.

 

[sluper]

The debate on the prep package could go on forever. I too wanted the plug in the bed and could not get an answer other than we can send it to such and such to have this done. I did not want the wires cut and spliced, so checking on the internet there you find the way it is done from the factory. Etrailer.com has a pig tail that plugs into the back of the bumper plug and then can be installed into the bed as the trailer prep provides. Also MoparOnlineParts.com has the exact part that is used from the factory. I currently have a B&W system and choose that route over getting the prep package that will leave 5 holes in the bed of my truck instead of the 1 if I use the same system I had in the 04. Left the B&W in the 04 will get a new underside but use the companion hitch as before.

 

[RVTRKN]

You would really regret opting out of the Tow Prep, the B&W is the best 5th wheel hitch on the market. If you can find one at a RV dealer or retailer, you would be completely impressed. I was going to get an air ride type hitch for my heavy Arctic Fox pin box, but the locking jaws are so perfect, I changed my mind. My B&W hitch is the flat bed version, but it's close to the same as the regular bed hitch, so I believe it would be just as tight, and you would not feel any slop.

 

[TCDiesel]

I don't care to convince any one But the Prep / GN / 5th is simply a dead horse to Me, I graduated form the 5th hooks up 3 decades ago. The GN is much easier to use and is universal. Go with the factory Prep and buy the GN Adapter and be done with it.. this toy hauler has been pull all across America with the GN adapter NOT one problem.

All the 5ths do is add weight and take up the Box and cost More $$$.

 

[eng208]

I don't care to convince any one But the Prep / GN / 5th is simply a dead horse to Me, I graduated form the 5th hooks up 3 decades ago. The GN is much easier to use and is universal. Go with the factory Prep and buy the GN Adapter and be done with it.. this toy hauler has been pull all across America with the GN adapter NOT one problem.

All the 5ths do is add weight and take up the Box and cost More $$$.

Most RV trailer manufacturers will NOT warranty a gooseneck adapter, so be careful. They can put stresses on the pin box that was not in the engineering parameters.
FWIW, I have a 13 2500, different frame I know, but did not have the factory set up. I didn't want it, the 14s available did have it. At the time, there wan't much available for the factory prep package anyway. I got the dealership to throw in a fifth wheel installation in the agreed price. After about a month of uncertainties and confusion from the dealership about the difference between a gooseneck and a fifth wheel, I got both in the B and W turnover with a Companion hitch. I LOVE it. I had a Reese with the rails in the bed and while it was lighter, I love the engineering and quality of this B and W so much more. It is much smoother to hitch and unhitch and never clangs like my Reese did. Also, the bed is completely flat if I remove the hitch where I had rails remaining before. Now, given the option. I would take the factory prep, get a Companion and a gooseneck ball and be done with it. As far as installing the trailer connector, it's no big deal. Takes a hole saw and the plug with a 90 on the back side that is specific for the Ram. It just plugs into the backside of the bumper connector. I installed mine lower on the side than the factory, but that was my preference. Gave a little more room on the backside and doesn't hang the cord as high in the bed. That was the main thing. I didn't want the cord hanging any higher than it had to.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

TCDiesel- is your truck the two tone Granite top/silver rockers? I've been searching high and low for one!

 

[TCDiesel]

The one pictured Mineral gray / Silver 2013, My 14 is Granite / Silver.