2014 Factory Hitch Prep Kit

[Barry]

Anyone order or have one of these on your rig? I think I figured out how the gooseneck ball fits but not sure how the 5th wheel works. Do you have to buy THEIR 5th wheel or do Reese rails bolt in so I can continue to use my Reese rocker?



Thanx in advance,

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I believe you need the Ram adapter shaped like a picture frame, #82213667. For lower overall cost and an excellent hitch, get the B&W 1314 gooseneck, good for 30k, and Companion 3500 fifth wheel hitch, good for 20k trailer load.



Here are the underside view of B&W gooseneck "turnover ball" hitch, view of Companion in bed, and the Mopar picture frame adapter.

 

[Bob V]

The "picture frame" replaces the rails. B&W has a direct fit 5th wheel hitch for the factory Ford prep package, I would bet the Ram application is in the works.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Barry,

I attached a photo of another TDR members Curt 5th wheel hitch attached the the Ram "picture frame" adapter. I presume your Reese rocker will fit similarly.

Bill

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The cheapest I have seen the picture frame adapter is $474

http://www.hendrickmoparparts.com/OEMParts/dodge-120/8/82213667.html



they estimate shipping at $47.

 

[Wingate]

I believe you need the Ram adapter shaped like a picture frame, #82213667. For lower overall cost and an excellent hitch, get the B&W 1314 gooseneck, good for 30k, and Companion 3500 fifth wheel hitch, good for 20k trailer load.

Here are the underside view of B&W gooseneck "turnover ball" hitch, view of Companion in bed, and the Mopar picture frame adapter.

Joe, as a side note, do you leave your Companion in the bed of your truck?
I do, its only removed if I have to hook up a GN trailer. With that being said, I started thinking about how many times my truck has sat at the lake boat ramp while im out fishing. Same could be said for Walmart, Lowes, etc. . Would make it an easy target for criminals!!
I now have a chain running thru the hole on the left side of the hitch and thru the left side safety chain anchor point in the bed.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

No, I often use the bed for other things, so the Companion is off and the gooseneck ball is inverted. I feel that having both capabilities is worthwhile even if not used a lot.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have installed the Gooseneck Kit in my 98 and 2011. The B&W Gooseneck kit in the picture looks MUCH EASIER to in stall is that correct?

I will probably buy a late 14 so I can get the air bag rear suspension so should I order it without the factory gooseneck and 5th wheel prep's installed?

Seems like the best thing to do from what I see?

Thanks

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The #1314 gooseneck hitch is easy to install and I prefer it to the factory setup. The Companion really helps me because I have a short bed and a Transfer Flow tank sitting over part of the two front frame pockets that the picture frame adapter would use.

 

[Barry]

Thanx All,

I use an RDS tool box/Tank combo... ... ... ... ... ... 30" wide. Now if that would not cover up the front 2 pockets of the factory kit... ... ... ... and if the picture frame would fit my Reese Rocker, that dog would hunt!

If I choose to go to Ill. to get the truck rather than have it delivered to a local dealer on a courtesy delivery, and I ordered the factory goose neck kit, could I just drop the GN ball in the slot and bring a new horse trailer from the factory in Indiana back with me thereby killing the cost of going after the truck? (pays $1350 for 825 miles)

Be a good break in coming home. It is 280 miles from the Dodge dealer to the horse trailer factory... ... . and then 825 towing miles back to the dealership in Alabama... ... ..... then 300 to home in Florida.

 

[Powder Extreme]

Joe, as a side note, do you leave your Companion in the bed of your truck?
I do, its only removed if I have to hook up a GN trailer. With that being said, I started thinking about how many times my truck has sat at the lake boat ramp while im out fishing. Same could be said for Walmart, Lowes, etc. . Would make it an easy target for criminals!!
I now have a chain running thru the hole on the left side of the hitch and thru the left side safety chain anchor point in the bed.

But that doesn't lock the 5th wheel jaws portion, which is half the cost of the hitch.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The factory setup takes a special gooseneck ball and I hear it is hard to find. Also verify that the trailer takes the common 2-5/16" ball not the 3" ball.

 

[MelvinPierce]

I never worry about it in the pickup. A number of years following AT LEAST 6 different RV and truck sites, all referencing 5th wheels.



I have yet to read of ONE single instance of where a member came on, and said "My 5th wheel hitch was stolen out of my truck last night".

 

[Wertles]

I am not all that impressed with the factory set up. I believe it is a poorer design and an expensive option for a 5th wheel set up. It is a 2 step process to put in and take out. The frame rail kit is $575 from the dealer, so combine that with the $500 prep from the factory and you are $1075 plus your hitch. For that money, I would start off with the B&W and companion. A better, less cumbersome set up. If I were going Gooseneck only on my truck, I would probably go OEM and be done with it. I am just not satisfied with their 5th wheel set up.

Just my . 02.

 

[Barry]

Thanx Dr. Donnally, we order all our's with the 2 5/16... ... ... ... ... ... ... . as to the 5th wheel hitch... ... ... ... . I already have a 16K Reese Rocker that for some reason gets heavier each year. Now that I live in Florida, it must be retaining water.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I have found that a lot of things get heavier each year, lol. I don't know if the factory picture frame will mount up the Reese or not. As for the gooseneck, I really like my B&W and would not trade it for the stock setup even if you gave me the cost of the factory option and the factory ball, in addition to the parts. If you check out the B&W, I think you will agree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ84NdxKEo8&feature=c4-overview&list=UUHgMtRgqOFkVikpuLQFkBaw

 

[Wingate]

But that doesn't lock the 5th wheel jaws portion, which is half the cost of the hitch.

yes it does, thats specifically what it locks. There is a large hole on the left side of the jaws portion of the adapter.

 

[Wingate]

I never worry about it in the pickup. A number of years following AT LEAST 6 different RV and truck sites, all referencing 5th wheels.



I have yet to read of ONE single instance of where a member came on, and said "My 5th wheel hitch was stolen out of my truck last night".

I havent heard of anyone getting that stolen, but the only luck I seem to have on these situations is bad luck. Im erring on the side of caution with this 800. 00 investment and while it wont stop a determined thief, he WILL have to put forth some extra effort!