New RAM 2500 - Fifth Wheel Frame mounting

Pmedic4 · 07-31-2015, 11:06 AM

Upgrading my old truck, which had the bed/frame bolt rails to a new 2500 with the RAM OEM fifth wheel mount system, which some describe as the 'PUCK' system. I'm planning on keeping my existing Pullrite 16K hitch, and mounting it to a frame, looking at the Reese 30154 model. I've seen some discussion of this online, primarily from RAMGUNNER.Com, was wondering if anyone else has used this system, any positives, negatives, and would/wouldn't do's?

When I get it all hooked up, I'll add it to my avatar! No one wanted to look at my old truck, me included.

**JRTJH** · 07-31-2015, 12:02 PM

When we bought our 2013 F250 it had the "puck" system so I bought the Reese 30156 Rail Kit Mounting Adapter to mount my existing fifth wheel hitch. This year, then we bought the new F250, I decided to purchase the Curt "leg mount" kit for my hitch head rather than use the Reese adapter.

Either method, the Reese adapter or a new leg set will work. I find that for me, the hitch sits about 2.5" lower without the adapter between the pucks and the hitch head head. Maybe it's my imagination, but there seems to be less chucking without the adapter. Possibly it's the pin/rail connection that was eliminated ???

Anyway, the Reese adapter will allow you to use your existing hitch, but it will sit about 2.5" higher than it did with the "old truck's bed rail system". So, if you're going to be "higher with the new truck" you might want to be sure you can adjust the hitch/pinbox to get the trailer level with the new truck.

Pmedic4 · 08-03-2015, 05:53 AM

Thanks John

Since my new truck is 4 wheel drive, it is about 5 or 6 inches higher, so adding another 2 inches will make quite a bit of difference. I'm definitely going to have to do some adjusting, but can't be anything too different, as I'm sure there is more than 2 or 3 other RAM 2500 4x4 towing 5vr's.

kfxgreenie · 08-03-2015, 05:06 PM

Put your old hitch on craigslist. When the new TV is negotiated, get the dealer to include the Mopar 5th wheel ball, then get yourself a Andersen Aluminum and the world will be well again. You'll never look back.

Bushman512000 · 08-03-2015, 06:25 PM

I have the new 2500 for 2015 I went with the rail system as the pucks were not in the truck .Had the system in old truck and still have the adaptor from reese it is for sale .The new truck is 4"s higher then the 2009 so I lifted the trailer 4"s and tows great went north with it and pulls nice I run about 65mph and the new Cummins did a great job better on fuel also more bells and toys than I needed but the toys are neat to use as I learn them ...I have had a lot of the 2500 trucks and this one is the best to ride in smoother than all the others the new paint Max Steal is a neat colour the truck is a Outdoorsman enjoy Yours You should Bushman

sw342 · 08-04-2015, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Either method, the Reese adapter or a new leg set will work. I find that for me, the hitch sits about 2.5" lower without the adapter between the pucks and the hitch head head. Maybe it's my imagination, but there seems to be less chucking without the adapter. Possibly it's the pin/rail connection that was eliminated ???

Thats what I did. I purchased new legs for my Curt hitch that fit the Ram. I didn't want to run the picture frame adapter as height was already a concern.

gtsum2 · 08-04-2015, 07:12 PM

3500 ram with puck system and use b&w rvk3600. Aside from and ts3 air hitch, I can't see how any others compare (quality, ratings, limits etc). Love the b&w jaws

Pmedic4 · 08-04-2015, 08:18 PM

After seeing some of the comments, I'm now considering getting a new Curt Hitch, with the puck mounting legs, to avoid the frame type mount. I saw some of the other comments, but this seems to fit my need. Overall, what do the CURT owners think of their hitches? What you have?

I've been pleased by the PullRite 16K hitch, as it has the wrap around latch mechanism. Looking at the Curt hitches, I see the following models:

CURT 16041 E-16
CURT 16043 Q-16
CURT 16045 Q-20

Obviously, the number is the weight rating, other than price, what is the difference between the E and the Q models? The images for the Q models appear to show a similar wrap around jaws, but the image for the E16 doesn't show the latch.

Next question - the descriptions say it's for the "Head Unit", which makes it sound like you have to purchase separately, the 'Leg Kit', 16021 for a complete set. But if you read the descriptions for those Head Units, they all say something like, "Anchors can be adjusted to prevent chucking between the legs and under bed rails.", which would only be needed for a description of the Leg unit. Definitely confusing.

The price of the E-16 doesn't seem to be much more than the Frame mounting kit for my current Pullrite hitch, so I could see doing that if it includes the leg set. If it doesn't, the cost would be more than double just the frame. I guess if the Q-16 is the better jaws, I could see going up to it - if the leg set is included?

**JRTJH** · 08-04-2015, 08:59 PM

The E-16 is a "slide bar" hitch, it does not have jaws. The Q-16 has conventional jaws similar to most fifth wheel hitches (that have jaws).

On the CURTHITCH.com website, you can get information and pricing on both hitch types (jaw and slide bar). I'd suggest the jaw type (Q-16) if you're buying a new hitch. The hitch is sold as a "unit" or as a "head" and "leg". Be sure to compare pricing. I paid less than half the "Curt price" for my leg set when I bought from Amazon. Do some internet searching for pricing.

Here's what you'll need to buy for the Q-16 setup:

CURT Q16 5th Wheel Hitch with RAM OEM Legs #16043 List price is $1541.86
http://www.curtmfg.com/part/16043

There are three components in the package: The RAM legs, the Hitch Head and the Hitch head adapter. Essentially, the hitch head "rests" in the adapter and the legs bolt to the adapter. Then the entire hitch slips into the pucks.

The "curt price" for my complete hitch (Ford legs) would have been $1374. The Amazon price for the same components was around $600. All I needed was the legs (I had all the rest) and bought them for $319 from Amazon. So shop around !!!!! For me, the cost of the "picture frame adapter was almost the same price as buying the legs. Unfortunately, when I first bought my picture frame adapter in 2012, CURT didn't offer the leg set. Now I have both LOL

You can call CURT Technical Support at: 800.798.0813. They can (and will) answer any questions and give you the exact part numbers for your specific setup. Then you can buy them, knowing you're getting the right parts.

Pmedic4 · 08-05-2015, 08:41 AM

Thanks John, you point out what is so confusing about the Curt Hitch information, the pricing between the Curt website, and what I saw on Amazon. The price for the Amazon 16043 is so much less than the Curt site price, just makes you think they are talking about 2 different things!
You did a great job of explaining it, mostly with your pricing explanation.

Also, what you said about the E-16, is what I assumed, that it being a slider bar type of hitch.

So, now it's down to the decision to buy the Reese Frame, and use my existing hitch, or go to the Curt 16043.

billstuart · 08-05-2015, 12:23 PM

Our new Ram 3500 is equipped with the factory 5th wheel/goose neck prep, or "puck" set up. I decided to go with the aluminum Andersen hitch. The PullRite adapters for my SuperGlide would have cost about the same as the Andersen hitch did. I sold the SuperGlide for close to what the Andersen cost. The Andersen gives me the turning radius I need, it's much quieter and I don't have to fight to unhook it, like I did with the PullRite.

Bolter303 · 08-05-2015, 01:05 PM

I just got the Curt Q20 for my Ford F-350. I paid $800 for it from a local trailer shop here in Vegas. Ther Reese was over $1700. So far I love it. Easy to hook and un-hook. It is not that heavy, my son and I can lift it in and out of the bed.

T3/T4 Hybrid · 08-05-2015, 06:11 PM

Do you have a picture of the new truck? I just bought a new Ram 2500 with the cummins myself. It also has the factory camper prep package for later TT purchases if I ever upgrade. But I have no regrets after my first towing this last weekend.

Pmedic4 · 08-05-2015, 09:04 PM

Went ahead an bought the Curt Q-16 16043. I was tempted to just get the Reese Frame for about $400 - counting shipping/tax, but it sounded like that might raise my hitch even higher with this 4x4 2500 Heavy Duty 2500, so I went with the all in one assembly.

I'll try to get some pictures when I'm fitting out the hitch. Really pretty plain Vanilla - I mean dark Chocolate, as the Truck is Black. Wasn't my first choice of color, but since it's the end of the model year, and they aren't making any new 2015's, it is a limited selection out there. Did learn the '15's have a 5 year, 100,000 mile drive train warranty, and the '16's will only have the 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty. They were the last hold out of the truck manufacturers, but now all 3 Ford/GM/RAM are going to be 5/60K warranty.

The ride is definitely stiffer than my old truck, but that's not surprising, with almost a 1400 pound load weight improvement - not quite double the old truck, but almost! I'm sure it will be more stable in windy conditions. If not, I'll be PO'd!

kfxgreenie · 08-06-2015, 07:46 AM

The 6.7 is still 100,000.

TandE · 08-06-2015, 09:48 AM

Both 6.7s (ford and dodge) list 5 year 60,000 mile power train warranty for 2016 models. Gm I haven't seen yet.

Travis

kfxgreenie · 08-06-2015, 11:27 AM

http://www.slashgear.com/2016-ram-35...rque-23390129/

Notice the Source FCNA

The first of the 2016 year model Ram trucks will begin rolling off the assembly line in Q3 2015. For 2016, Ram trucks maintain the 5yr/60,000 mile engine warranty for gas engines and 5 year/100,000 mile warranty for diesel engines.

SOURCE: FCNA

Chrysler is not afraid of the Cummins.

sw342 · 08-06-2015, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pmedic4

Thanks John, you point out what is so confusing about the Curt Hitch information, the pricing between the Curt website, and what I saw on Amazon. The price for the Amazon 16043 is so much less than the Curt site price, just makes you think they are talking about 2 different things!

Usually if you buy straight from the manufacturer that also has a distribution network the price will be higher. If they were selling cheaper than their distributors who would by from the local retail store or Amazon? They want to make sure their products are out in the marketplace, so it would make no sense for them to have the cheapest price and be undercutting their network of re-sellers.

Bushman512000 · 08-06-2015, 05:35 PM

You will not need it if You go Dodge best to have extended if You go Fix or repair daily GM that's a story in its self ....just kidding lol all are good till they break

Pmedic4 · 08-06-2015, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sw342

Usually if you buy straight from the manufacturer that also has a distribution network the price will be higher. If they were selling cheaper than their distributors who would by from the local retail store or Amazon? They want to make sure their products are out in the marketplace, so it would make no sense for them to have the cheapest price and be undercutting their network of re-sellers.

Part of it also when I was looking, Amazon's description for the 16043, says " CURT Manufacturing 16043 Q16 Fifth Wheel Head unit. ". Would have been better to say something like Fifth Wheel hitch for OEM Ram factory installed mount.

Actually got it out of eBay. Slightly less, however only about $20, and same source as Amazon.

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