Looking to upgrade, have questions

[surfbeetle]

I'm looking to add a 2016 2500 4x4 longbed crew cab to my fleet. In my 95 I have a Reese Fifth wheel hitch and want to install standard reese rails into the new truck so I can just use the same hitch between the two trucks. Other than drilling up though the bed, Is there any drilling in the frame involved like there was on the 95 or is it just a bolt on affair? Also, I have seen a wiring kit here that is for a 2014, is this the same for a 2016. It's says it's just a plug in adapter like the idea of not having to actually piggy back off of the wiring like I did on the 95.
thanks in advance

 

[Cummins12V98]

DEMCO makes a "Quality" picture frame adapter that should do the job for you. You will need the factory puck system. If not in truck it can easily be added.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I'm looking to add a 2016 2500 4x4 longbed crew cab to my fleet. In my 95 I have a Reese Fifth wheel hitch and want to install standard reese rails into the new truck so I can just use the same hitch between the two trucks. Other than drilling up though the bed, Is there any drilling in the frame involved like there was on the 95 or is it just a bolt on affair? Also, I have seen a wiring kit here that is for a 2014, is this the same for a 2016. It's says it's just a plug in adapter like the idea of not having to actually piggy back off of the wiring like I did on the 95.
thanks in advance

Yes, it will work, it is a plug and play, at the bumper plug. You can also get one from Dodge for a few dollars more that works better. The kit you listed is nine feet long, and if you put the receptacle in the bed, in the factory location, you end up with several feet of extra cord. Which you have to coil up and zip tie underneath somewhere, which is kind of mickey mouse........ The wiring kit from Dodge is several feet shorter, fits perfect, with no extra cord to deal with.

Sam

 

[surfbeetle]

Cummins12V98 Thanks for your reply, I haven't kept up with the terms on the new ones, what is a picture frame adapter?

Ram4Sam, thank you, I'll look for the Dodge fifth wheel plug.

 

[kthaxton]

You don't need the puck system that Cummins12V98 mentioned if you want to keep it simple, don't mind having rails in the bed, and use your exiting hitch. Off the top of my head, It seems like that Demco picture frame unit would be a hindrance if you intend to use the hitch between the two trucks.

The kit you need does not require frame drilling to install. The holes are already there.

 

[SnoKing]

You don't need the puck system that Cummins12V98 mentioned if you want to keep it simple, don't mind having rails in the bed, and use your exiting hitch. Off the top of my head, It seems like that Demco picture frame unit would be a hindrance if you intend to use the hitch between the two trucks.

The kit you need does not require frame drilling to install. The holes are already there.

Why would the picture frame be a hindrance? It locks into the factory pucks. Any standard hitch will pin to it. The frame has two plates at each puck location and I am not sure that anyone makes rail mounts that use puck mounts for rail brackets. Why would in this day and age would anyone want permanent rails????????????

Anyone that pays 40-60K for a new RAM should be able to afford a decent hitch setup. Snoking

 

[kthaxton]

Why would the picture frame be a hindrance?

While I have not used one, it seems it would add a step since he would then have to remove his hitch from the picture frame to use it in his other truck. This also mean he would have to install, or be certain to purchase a truck that has the pucks installed. In his particular situation (you know, his specific needs that he asked about) it doesn't seem logical.

It locks into the factory pucks.----and I am not sure that anyone makes rail mounts that use puck mounts for rail brackets

You are assuming he is buying a truck with pucks. He doesn't have the truck yet.

Anyone that pays 40-60K for a new RAM should be able to afford a decent hitch setup. Snoking

Nice!
And how on earth could anyone possibly want to do something different than you did?

 

[Larry Willard]

I am using the Reese picture frame adapter (RP30154) with my Reese 20K hitch that has been used in my other 3 Ram trucks. I can't see how it would be a hindrance, actually I believe it is much better than having the permanent rails installed.
Larry

 

[kthaxton]

Does a hitch mount to the frame the same way they mount to standard rails? This is what i do not know. If so, then yeah, I can see that it wouldn't be any different.....other than more $$

 

[SnoKing]

I am using the Reese picture frame adapter (RP30154) with my Reese 20K hitch that has been used in my other 3 Ram trucks. I can't see how it would be a hindrance, actually I believe it is much better than having the permanent rails installed.
Larry

Don't try to use logic with him! He knows more than all of us combined. Most likely has never bothered to look at a puck system and does no know it can be added by someone like me, who added to an off the lot truck that did not have the OEM option. Snoking

 

[surfbeetle]

Two things, I'm not special ordering a truck, just plan to find something local that will fit my needs. I'm just now learning what a picture frame is... Remember when most you guys left the 2nd gen world, I too stopped driving my 2nd gen daily and got a Challenger so my knowledge on the 4th gens is lacking. Correct me if I'm wrong, the picture frame is an adapter that connect to the four mounting points I've seen in the middle of the bed and attaches to the fifth wheel hitch itself? My original post was made with the idea of just using my existing hitch between the two trucks. But now l'm learning that there are more options than just adding rails in the bed (with brackets underneath) and using my hitch. At this point, I'll have to see what's in the truck I end up with before deciding any further.

 

[SnoKing]

Does a hitch mount to the frame the same way they mount to standard rails? This is what i do not know. If so, then yeah, I can see that it wouldn't be any different.....other than more $$

All new RAM frames are made with an inside and outside plate welded to the frame at each puck location. The OEM feature has the pucks bolted in place and the holes in the bed, plus the gooseneck in the middle.

I installed the four pucks myself. Read my thread about it. "New Snoking Laramie" or something like that. Snoking

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/253025-New-Snoking-Laramie?highlight=snoking+ram

 

[SnoKing]

Here is picture of my Demco 6099 picture frame with my B&W3270 pinned to it. The nice thing about the Demco vs the Reese is the Demco can be released from the pucks without first removing the hitch. Snoking


#ad

 

[SnoKing]

You can watch a video on the Reese PF here. Note the latch arm are long and the hitch has to be moved first. Snoking


http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...YWXQQSKo5jEkr2RtHZp5kaT71W96Pm4-7MhoCbofw_wcB

 

[kthaxton]

Don't try to use logic with him! He knows more than all of us combined. Most likely has never bothered to look at a puck system and does no know it can be added by someone like me, who added to an off the lot truck that did not have the OEM option. Snoking

Yes, I am familiar with the system, but I do not assume that everyone will be buying, or want to upgrade a truck with a puck system (as evidenced by the op response). Yes, it is a nice system, but I will not assume.

 

[kthaxton]

All new RAM frames are made with an inside and outside plate welded to the frame at each puck location. The OEM feature has the pucks bolted in place and the holes in the bed, plus the gooseneck in the middle.

I installed the four pucks myself. Read my thread about it. "New Snoking Laramie" or something like that. Snoking

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/253025-New-Snoking-Laramie?highlight=snoking+ram

Congratulations, thank you, but that has nothing to do with my reply you quoted. I was asking about how the hitch mounts to the frame, I know how the puck system works.

 

[gsbrockman]

Remember when most you guys left the 2nd gen world, I too stopped driving my 2nd gen daily and got a Challenger so my knowledge on the 4th gens is lacking.

Out of curiosity....what is the pin weight of your current RV, and do you plan to upgrade RV's anytime soon???

 

[surfbeetle]

According to the book, the pin weight is 1340. As for upgrading the RV, my wife and I were seriously looking a Class A Outlaw but balked on the price. She wanted to get a Suburban so she could haul the kids and bikes down to the beach. I told her a new truck to do that and pull the 5ver was a better idea. But with that all said, I think that our next RV will be some sort of a class A motorhome.

 

[SnoKing]

Out of curiosity....what is the pin weight of your current RV, and do you plan to upgrade RV's anytime soon???

Here comes the why not a 3500 question which is a very appropriate question. The carrying capacity of the 2500 does lend itself to mid to a bit larger 5th wheels. Ram drew a separation line between the coil spring 2500's and leaf spring 3500's. Both have a rear air option, but again no comparison. Snoking

 

[gsbrockman]

Here comes the why not a 3500 question which is a very appropriate question.

Since Surfbeetle admitted he's not followed RAM trucks closely for a few years, he might be surprised to find that a 4th GEN 2500 has had a weight gain of close to 1,000 lbs (if not more) over any 2nd GEN. That, coupled with a 10,000 GVWR, may also leave him in a surprised state of available payload / cargo capacity. I'm not here to push 2500, 3500 SRW, or 3500 DRW.....I'm just here to share those facts as some have made a truck purchase without crunching all of the payload numbers first.

Surfbeetle......if you want a link to those numbers, I can round it up for ya.