Why Do No Aftermarket Hitches For 2017 Ram 1500 Fit If Truck Has The OEM Trailer Hitch?

Updated 08/04/2021 | Published 08/02/2021

Question:

I have a 2017 Ram 1500 with the factory frame mount hitch and I am looking to upgrade the hitch, all the hitches say without a factory hitch. What would work to replace the factory 2 inch receiver hitch ?

asked by: Robb R

Expert Reply:

Since your 2017 Ram 1500 has a factory trailer hitch receiver the only way to replace it with a non factory one with be replacing the bumper support with one off of a truck that did not have a factory trailer hitch receiver.

The reason for this is the trucks with a factory hitch, and the ones without had different bumper supports and all of the aftermarket trailer hitch receivers were designed around the trucks without a factory trailer hitch receiver.

Once you change the bumper supports you can then install an aftermarket trailer hitch like the etrailer # e53ZR you were looking at.

I included a video of the # e53ZR for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C