Fifth Wheel Hitch Install 2013 Ram-How to Tell If Truck has OEM Trailer Prep Package

Updated 09/12/2013 | Published 09/11/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs

(396)

$509.66

Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness with 7-Pole Plug

(895)

$81.29

Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(25)

$599.00

B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(5033)

$1099.00

Reese 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Ram OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package - 25,000 lbs

(458)

$481.83

Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ram Towing Prep Package - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(465)

$1104.41

Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(465)

$1033.24

Question:

I have a 2013 Ram 3500 long box 4x4....it did not come w a factory installed fifth wheel hitch...but I am told there is a factory mount or provision already there under the bed ...to mount a fifth wheel without the usual drilling and/ or welding of new mounts. can you enlighten me on what you know of this...and is there something you sell that utilizes these existing mounts as if I had been able to buy a factory fifth w/ this truck..... I tow a 1500 lb fifth.....fairly heavy duty required......truck is not a dually....single rear wheel...longbox

asked by: Mike A

Expert Reply:

If your Ram has the under-bed heavy-duty towing option, there will be a series of mounting holes or pucks in the bed of your truck, most likely covered by rubber or plastic plugs. If your truck is equipped with the pucks, you can use either an adapter like part # RP30154, which would allow you to install any fifth wheel hitch that uses industry standard fifth wheel bed rails like part # RP30081. Or, you can use a hitch that will mount directly into the pucks installed in the truck bed like the Reese part # RP30918.

If you don't have the pucks installed in the bed, B&W offers an underbed mounting system using the # BWGNRK1314-5W mount and the # BWRVK3500-5W hitch. The mount can also be used as a gooseneck hitch, should the need arise. All the hitches I recommended have a substantial 20K capacity.

If you don't have the pucks, you'll also need to install a 7-way in the truck bed. You can do this using part # 41157.

I've linked you to some install videos and some other equipment or accessories that you might be interested in.