Question on fifth wheel prep 2013

[HBarlow]

I have. I've even toured the company in Kansas where they're made. Very impressive facility with modern equipment and good Kansas folks with midwestern values . . . but I remain completely unimpressed.

I've used a Reese 20k for about nine years and several hundred thousand towing miles. Reese is the oldest or one of the oldest hitch manufacturers in the US having built and sold thousands of them.

The Reese is very heavy built, has an outstanding coupler design, and it very durable. The Reese hitch platform can be separated into three separate components by pulling pins making it much easier and lighter to remove from the truck and the pins that lock it in place in the rails are not under the truck where they can be effected by mud or ice.

No thanks. I don't care to join the B&W fanatics. I have no quarrel with those of you who joined the club but I have no interest in joining you wearing the "I've got a B&W hitch badge. " Did you notice that Ram made the same decision I did? Perhaps Ram decision makers were not aware that B&W has a connection with rodeo cowboys.

 

[RVTRKN]

Perhaps Ram decision makers were not aware that B&W has a connection with rodeo cowboys.

I doubt that.

 

[RustyJC]

Hmmm..... even a B&W Elite towing bed.



Rusty

 

[RVTRKN]

Hey Rusty, maybe you don't remember, but back in 06 you posted a pic of a similar picture and the rest is history. This was your fault :-laf

 

[RustyJC]

Oh, I remember! :-laf



Rusty

 

[Dieselnerd]

Here is the question I asked B&W late last week:

Will the companion hitch fit the fifth wheel prep feature in the 2013 RAM
3500 pickup?

Here is the answer I got back today:

Ron,

We will have a gooseneck hitch ready for this application within the next 2 weeks. When this is ready your companion you currently have will work with the new truck and hitch. Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Thank you for using B&W Products!!

John Taylor | Sales Supervisor | B&W Trailer Hitches | 800. 248. 6564

 

[RVTRKN]

Are they adapting to the hole or new bracket as well?

 

[Dieselnerd]

Are they adapting to the hole or new bracket as well?

I posted the whole answer from B&W. You know as much as I do. I'm assuming a round to square post to adapt the companion.

I haven't ordered a truck yet, I'm waiting until June for a 2014 so I can wait a couple of weeks to see what B&W comes out with.

 

[HBarlow]

I sent Curt an inquiry yesterday asking about their hitch platform and mentioning that info reported here was that Curt was the manufacturer for the new Ram fifthwheel.

The reply I received was something like "curious where you got that information. " I think the writer was suggesting I must be stupid to ask the question. Apparently Curt is not involved with the new product sold by Ram.

 

[BILLUA]

I sent Curt an inquiry yesterday asking about their hitch platform and mentioning that info reported here was that Curt was the manufacturer for the new Ram fifthwheel.

The reply I received was something like "curious where you got that information. " I think the writer was suggesting I must be stupid to ask the question. Apparently Curt is not involved with the new product sold by Ram.

Well, that directly contradicts the information in the Ram brochure and .pdf that has been posted here.

 

[HBarlow]

Well, that directly contradicts the information in the Ram brochure and .pdf that has been posted here.

Update:

I just received another reply from Curt. I was mischaracterizing the earlier message. I thought the writer was implying I must be stupid to ask the question. I was wrong. He was legitimately curious where I got that information, perhaps even a little concerned.

The second message I just received stated someone released information they were not supposed to release. The writer was being coy and said only that if I contact him again in mid-April he could provide product information. He did acknowledge that Curt currently makes hitches for certain Dodge and GM products.

Your information was apparently correct. The tech guy at Curt seemed concerned that I had insider information that could have been leaked from his company. Their contracts with Ram probably prohibit them from making announcements like that. I assured him that I have no insider contact at Ram or Curt.

Its good to know that Curt has manufactured hitch products for Ram during previous model years and will probably manufacture the hitch for the 2013 as well.

 

[crabjoe]

What kind of crazy insider info can the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck brochure be? Ram has been selling the option since ordering opened up. It' not like dealers don't have it for talking points, when customers ask about it. If it wasn't for this brochure, I would have never ordered the option. If anything, this supposed "leak" is helping them with sales, not hindering it.

 

[MelvinPierce]

The Curt name is printed right on the brochure you can download! Must be another gov't top secret program! LOL

 

[rrnut-2]

This is interesting. I asked about what I should look for in a 5th wheel hitch on another site, RV's something or other, and all I got was ***** about the tow capabilities of my Dodge CTD, manal transmission. Reading this thread I am learning more about the hitches than anywhere else. Thank you.

 

[HBarlow]

Well, now that you mentioned towing capability, your truck has a very low GCWR. Would you prefer we don't mention that?

 

[mfurrh55]

I was at the Dodge dealership yesterday and sitting right outside the front door was a B&W Hitch, Sold as an option by DODGE, Sounds like Dodge does sponsor the B&W hitch

 

[RVTRKN]

A dealership can sell accessories and have them displayed but it doesn't mean its a factory option. Dodge sponsors the Rodeo not B&W, B&W sponsors the Rodeo as well. B&W would be a great option if it turns out to be true, but I'm willing to bet it won't. Just don't order the option and have the B&W installed when you purchase the truck.

 

[rrnut-2]

Well, now that you mentioned towing capability, your truck has a very low GCWR. Would you prefer we don't mention that?

I know that. I was hoping to trade it this year for a '13 with an autotrans. The rate at which Dodge is going, there won't be any 13's so maybe a '14. But anyway, I still can tow a small toy hauler!

 

[HBarlow]

Yes, there are a lot of smaller toy haulers and some smaller fifthwheels that are well within limits of a Ram 2500.