Adding RAM 5th Wheel pucks?

[Robert Baguda]

I am looking to buy a RAM 3500 dually, for towing my 5th wheel trailer. Some don't have the RAM 5th wheel/gooseneck Prep from the factory.

Can that factory prep (puck mounting system) be added aftermarket by the dealer?

I trust the forum answers more than those from a salesman..

Thank you for any insight.

 

[stevenP]

Anything is possible. Had the same thing when I was truck shopping couple years ago. Truck had every bell and whistle except for the fifth wheel prep and limited slip diff. Dealer says he will install the OEM parts, if I buy his truck. You would have to remove the bed, to install that puck system structure(cut holes in the bed too). I wouldnt trust the guys at the average dealer to do this w/o screwing something up.

Guess if you were to install the rail type mounts in the bed, you would be set to go. That is a viable option for towing gooseneck or fifth wheel.

 

[Robert Baguda]

I was looking at a truck today that was perfect except for the lack of the 5th wheel prep. The salesman said most dealerships won't install the RAM parts as an aftermarket accessory. He said it's a liability thing and they want no part of it. He suggested I go the rail type mounts too.

I looked up the OEM puck parts and instructions on a Chrysler parts website. The four pucks for the 5th wheel mounts look to be an easy install. They all bolt into holes already in the frame rails. The "tricky" part is cutting the holes in the right place... Then of course you need to paint the cut edges of the bed floor you cut, or you would be inviting rust to run amuck...

I'm gonna focus on the truck first, the 5th wheel mounts second... When the time comes, I may try the puck install myself..

 

[Bearcatrp]

Why not go to a large junk yard to see if and newer trucks got totaled in the front end but the bed is in good shape that has the puck system. Or, as some owners switch the truck bed for a flat bed, could be selling there truck bed.

 

[Robert Baguda]

I wouldn't bother to change out a truck bed...

The mounts are on the frame, the bed only has the holes. The install instructions that go with the 5th wheel puck kit from Mopar, have very detailed directions & measurements for drilling the holes in the bed. Measure three times, cut once..

After reading the install instructions, I am surprised a dealer wouldn't do it.. Just for the 4 pucks, it's looks like a pretty easy job. I suspect adding the 5th center puck for the gooseneck might involve more structural instructions that could include drilling or welding to the frame... I understand a dealer not wanting to touch that, but just bolting pucks to predrilled holes in the frame, and drilling 4 holes in the bed, at the current labor rates, seems like it would be easy money...

FWW... I just bought a 2023 Ram 3500 Tradesman, 4x4, crew cab, drw, 6.7L HO diesel. It has a year left on the factory warranty, I am the first registered owner, and I picked it up with 36 miles on the odometer. That's not a miss print... it has thirty-six miles on the odometer.. I paid $59,990. which is $13,260 off the window sticker price. It was a far better deal than any of the other used 2023 RAMs I found within 150 miles. Most were off warranty due to having more than 36K miles. The few under 36K miles, were above $70K...

Let the customizing begin...!

 

[OC455]

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/so-this-is-what-ill-be-towing-from-now-on.202135/page-3

I did my own puck mounts and cut the holes in the bed. With some friends help and adult beverages it only took a little bit of time.

I used heavy duty ratchet straps hooked to the bed tie downs on each corner of the bed, raised it enough to get the clearance to place the pucks into the rail positions. I made templates using the puck caps supplied, because they are the same size as the round part of the pucks mounts. Found center and then drew a line through the middle and added an arrow to indicate where the front of the truck would be. Taped those to the top of the pucks before lowering the bed back in the place.

Marked the bed where the instructions say to on top of painters tape and then drilled a small pilot hole. Removed the template from the top of the puck and then placed the template in the bed. Lined up the hole together and then used the template with the center marked and then drilled the pilot hole through the center of the template, and then used the hole saw to make the holes for the pucks. I used black paint to cover the bare metal.

I used tire bead sealer around the inside of the trim pieces for the holes and locked them in place. The tire bead sealer worked good because it was a little slippery and help get the trim rings into the hole and then dried making a nice little seal to also help keep the holes from rusting.

 

[crash68]

@Robert Baguda another option is the B&W turnover ball gooseneck hitch along with the Companion Fifth wheel hitch. This option is bolt in and only requires one hole in the bed.

Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch

Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch - The best-selling gooseneck hitch in America. A hitch when you need it, a level bed when you don't.

www.bwtrailerhitches.com

Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch

The Companion single-point mounted hitch utilizes the Turnoverball under-bed system and convenient single-point attachment. Remove it when you are done towing and your truck bed is ready for your next adventure.

www.bwtrailerhitches.com

 

[Robert Baguda]

The problem with the B&W turnover ball with a Companion hitch is the weight limit.

The companion 5th wheel hitch that goes with the turnover ball has a max trailer weight of 20K lbs.

The trailer I am considering has a GVWR of 22K lbs

While I like that option, it won't work for me...

 

[Waldo1958]

I am looking to buy a RAM 3500 dually, for towing my 5th wheel trailer. Some don't have the RAM 5th wheel/gooseneck Prep from the factory.

Can that factory prep (puck mounting system) be added aftermarket by the dealer?

I trust the forum answers more than those from a salesman..

Thank you for any insight.

I just bought a used 2017 3500 4X4 SRW Tradesman, 6.7l diesel. It had the puck system installed. I bought a base for my REESE slider hitch, with the puck system. It was so easy to install, and I have a 36’ 5th wheel camper. It was extremely easy to install my hitch, and it pulled like a dream. Previous I had a 2008 Ford F-350 with the bolted in rails. I like this puck system much better!