Reese 20K universal bar

[BasilFawlty]

Have a RAM 3500 Dually long bed, 4x4

Got a hitch installed by a Reese authorized dealer. The dealer have installed the universal Reese rail system instead of the one made for our truck. They saved us 300 bucks but charged 425 in labour instead for installing it.

Looked at Reese homepage and can not find that 2013 year RAM is equivalent for the universal rail/bracket. Have asked Reese if this is ok. Just a bit worried the just four bolts is all that holds our 38RL even if they are bolted to the frame of the truck. All in all 10 bolts but only four to the frame.

Awaiting Reese reply. What is your opinion, my gut feeling is that I rather pay a bit more for what is designed for my exact truck instead of a universal solution.

[johnboytoo]

But WHAT BIG four bolts you have

our ford 350's superglide is held on by just four too.... and, SO FAR, the 38gk has not gone out on it's on !

If they are of the correct grade you should be good !

[Oriana]

We have a Reese 25K with the Ford supplied below bed prep package. Our hitch has 4 legs that align with receivers in the truck bed. Once installed they rotate 90 degrees to lock.

No issues with towing.

[Tobys Home]

Just think of the old days pulling a trailer with one bolt that was the ball hitch. 9/16 shaft or so. That ONE bolt does alot of work. We pull work trailers around and slam them into sites with almost no grading being done. Lots of stress on the ONE bolt. Four high grade bolts will definitely do the job for you.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by Oriana

We have a Reese 25K with the Ford supplied below bed prep package. Our hitch has 4 legs that align with receivers in the truck bed. Once installed they rotate 90 degrees to lock.

No issues with towing.

Andy,
I've actually never seen a Ford with the hitch in it, only the holes - your saying there is something at the base of the hitch you rotate to lock it in, or do you have to go in from underneath?

[Oriana]

Brad,

The hitch has 4 legs that go into the holes in the truck bed. Each leg has a small foot on the end and a lever. To install just drop the hitch with the legs going into the holes in the truck bed. Rotate the levers 90 degrees, which locks the feet in place. Both levers on each side are then secured with a pin.

Everything is done from above the truck bed.

It really is a great system. Unfortunately it isn't currently in the truck or I would take some photographs.

[atom ant]

Thanks for the explanation Andy! I was looking at one in the parking lot the other day and couldn't figure out how the hitch would attach. It does sound like a great system and look forward to having it on my 2015 truck , or maybe 2016, or maybe 2017.....

[travelin' texans]

Wouldn't take for my B&W companion, I can have it out in just coupled of minutes & still have nothing in the way in the bed.

[Foxfire]

I bought a 2014 F350 to tow my new Rig. The truck has the Ford fifth wheel prep. It took the dealer a few minutes to install and comes out in less time than that and I have my bed back when I'm not towing. It looks like a great system but I haven't towed with it yet. The fun starts next week.

[5th_Time]

Since GMC didn't offer a factory hitch package in '12, I decided to install my own Reese Elite 18K which is removable (similar to the 25K model Ford factory hitch prep/head that Andy describes). OK, on-the-ground the self-install was grueling - especially installing the under-bed frame rails, but now, I can remove the hitch and have the bed back in a minute or so.

I can attest that the hitchhead cams and receivers are plenty strong because on my maiden voyage, I hit a bridge seam on I-95 in VA which I swear the recoil lifted the dually's rear wheels right off the ground - but the hitch stayed planted and the only thing damaged was my self-confidence.

It is a great system and knowing that Ford installs these from the factory convinced me to go this way.

[atom ant]

Curious, does GM offer the hitch package yet?

[BasilFawlty]

Got an answer from Reese - DO NOT USE THE UNIVERSAL FOR THE 2013 3500 RAM DUALLY.

Contacted the reseller he apologized and will exchange it for the custom made one for our truck.

He was a little embarrassed and it did not become a better situation when we realized that they have mounted the hitch with the sprints in the front so it tilts the wrong way! Not a big thing easy to change ourselves but again, we are paying the $405 for labour to get it right.

But again, glad we realized it before we for the trailer. Reseller is great and will fix all this coming week.

[TNTBaker]

we have a 2014 Ram 3500 dually and I am trying to figure out which fifth wheel hitch to buy. We have a twenty thousand pound hitch but it was in our Ford F 350. As far as I can tell there is no hitch that fits in the RAM without adapter rails correct?

[coloradolivin]

We the adapter from Ram that fits in the 4 puck holes. Very minor adjustment for a tight fit. The Reese 20K drops right into the slots.

Works like a charm

[TNTBaker]

wow that would be awesome! I just assumed we would have to get a new 5th wheel hitch in fact I have ours for sale right now. Maybe I should not sell it! I was just limiting to my husband that we bought the hitch new and barely used it like 5 times.

[TNTBaker]

Ah... Hubby just helped me out. We are going to get this one: http://www.etrailer.com/p-BWRVK3600.html

[coloradolivin]

Wow--that sure looks heavy duty, should work just fine

[0nTheRoad]

So is Dodge now setup to use the Reese Elite like the Ford?

[coloradolivin]

I'm not sure about that. I took the Reese 20K off the rails in our 03 Chevy and when we got the Ram, we also purchased the rectangular adapter that fits in the 4 puck holes in the bed. Then, the 20K, with its tabs, fits right into the slots of the adapter. Hope that helps

[TNTBaker]

I just heard from Reese and they confirmed that they do not make a hitch that drops into the puck holes on the Ram. You have to use the adapter.