New guy here. I'll try to make this as clear as mud. Buying 2021 Ram 2500 (gas) pick up. Currently it is configured with a gooseneck hitch. I would like to go with a 5th wheel hitch as this is what we will be towing. Now is it possible to retrofit the truck with a puck system? I've been googling and quite frankly the answer isn't so clear to me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Hitch
- Thread starter Me331
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Tulecreeper
Well-known member
I have the 5th-wheel puck system in my 2023. I thought that the gooseneck hitch base used the same holes - or some of them, anyway.
Joezeppy
Well-known member
I did read on a RAM forum last year about a guy that installed the puck system himself. Can't remember what was involved.
The gooseneck you have may be an aftermarket system. If you know what brand it is, many of the aftermarket under-bed gooseneck manufacturers also have a corresponding 5th wheel platform that fits down the shaft where the gooseneck ball goes. For example, I had a Draw-Tite hide-a-goose installed my prior truck - a 2010 Sierra 2500. They make a 5th wheel platform specifically for it. There are also several generic-fit 5th wheel platforms that will attach to the ball itself.
Edit - just removed some duplicate wording - oops!
The gooseneck you have may be an aftermarket system. If you know what brand it is, many of the aftermarket under-bed gooseneck manufacturers also have a corresponding 5th wheel platform that fits down the shaft where the gooseneck ball goes. For example, I had a Draw-Tite hide-a-goose installed my prior truck - a 2010 Sierra 2500. They make a 5th wheel platform specifically for it. There are also several generic-fit 5th wheel platforms that will attach to the ball itself.
Edit - just removed some duplicate wording - oops!
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CharlesinGA
Well-known member
Have the guy in the parts department at a Stellantis dealer (Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, RAM) run a build sheet for you, just take a pic of your VIN plate. This will tell you if the gooseneck is factory or aftermarket.
Charles
Charles
John From Detroit
Well-known member
First yes you can switch from one to the other on the truck
You can also convert the ttrailer.. Some folks prefer the gooseneck but I will warn you about converting the trailer.
Man I met was following (Tailgating) his wife and a dog ran out.. She then HE spiked the brakes.> his truck did not hit her car but the pin box on the trailer was pretzeled and the adapter messed up.. He'd not have had that problem if he'd kept it a 5th wheel Or if the adapter had triangle bracing instead of just a long pole.
You can also convert the ttrailer.. Some folks prefer the gooseneck but I will warn you about converting the trailer.
Man I met was following (Tailgating) his wife and a dog ran out.. She then HE spiked the brakes.> his truck did not hit her car but the pin box on the trailer was pretzeled and the adapter messed up.. He'd not have had that problem if he'd kept it a 5th wheel Or if the adapter had triangle bracing instead of just a long pole.
Bearcatrp
Well-known member
If it didn’t come with the puck system, your SOL. Will have to install a regular 5th wheel hitch. Thought all newer Rams came with the puck system. My 2014 1/2 ton, 2017 3/4 ton and my current 2021 1 ton came with the puck system. My brothers 2022 warlock (1/2 ton) came with it. You sure that’s the original truck bed? Another option would be finding a truck bed with the puck system at a junk yard. You might get lucky finding one.
Tulecreeper
Well-known member
No, it's an option that costs about $500 more when you order the truck.
steveblonde
Well-known member
adding the puck system is often done after leaving the factory - only issue is - its more expensive because you have to remove the box - but we do at least one a month- the pucks are installed basically in/under the box so they just remove the box cut the holes and reinstall
steveblonde
Well-known member
FALSE
Bearcatrp
Well-known member
Please explain.
steveblonde
Well-known member
it can be added after you take delivery of the truck on the older models its still an option on the
2023 trucks as a "5TH WHEEL & GOOSENECK TOWING PREP GROUP"
Bearcatrp
Well-known member
So the dealer will do the work or change out the bed?
CharlesinGA
Well-known member
Puck system is a large, heavy duty bracket that attaches directly to the frame. The pucks stick up thru holes in the bed. Hardest part would be locating the holes exactly so it all fits when the bed is reinstalled. Beds are easy off and on. I have done mine by myself three times using a portable gantry crane and an air powered hoist, using a homemade wooden fixture to fit across the bed under the bed lips. Just gotta know what to disconnect and I use old blue jeans on the bumper ends to protect the bed from the bumper and a large sheet of cardboard between the cab and bed to protect the cab.
Second attachment is a Reese 5th wheel puck bracket and gooseneck ball mount system. Remove the bed, mount this, cut holes, install bed, done. Third attachment is bracket mounted on the chassis, Ford Superduty. Pics from eTrailer. Other brands are similar to this Reese.
Charles
Second attachment is a Reese 5th wheel puck bracket and gooseneck ball mount system. Remove the bed, mount this, cut holes, install bed, done. Third attachment is bracket mounted on the chassis, Ford Superduty. Pics from eTrailer. Other brands are similar to this Reese.
As you can see in the pics, no need to change the bed, just remove it to install the brackets, then cut holes in the bed. This puts all weight directly on the chassis and NOT on the bed. Many beds, especially the new aluminum Ford beds cannot handle "point loads" well, and no bed should be subjected to the stresses of trailer towing.
Charles
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Thanks for the info. I little more involved than I thought and willing to take on. I'm a sheetmetal mechanic and cut holes in airplanes for a living, but something about cutting a hole in my truck makes me very uncomfortable.
Alan_Hepburn
Well-known member
Things certainly have changed since we set up our (new, at the time) 1999 F450 - we had a B&W Turnover Ball hitch installed, and added the B&W Companion fifth wheel hitch to that. In fact, even though we sold that truck back in 2009 we still have the Companion fifth wheel hitch (flatbed model) in the garden shed...
Joezeppy
Well-known member
The dead space under the lower bunk in our 1999 TT was inaccessible from outside. The TT had limited storage space at it was so I decided to install a baggage door. Measure twice and cut once? How about measure 20 times and cut once?!
