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Install your fifth-wheel trailer hitch in half the time with this vehicle-specific bracket kit. Requires no drilling and provides a custom fit for your vehicle. Includes everything you need for installation.
Features:
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hello, everybody, this is Jeff at etrailer.com. Today we're gonna take a look at the Curt Carbide Black Custom Fit fifth wheel installation kit for the RAM trucks. Now this is a custom fit part. It is designed to fit the 2014 and newer RAM 2,500 trucks without the OEM prep package. Now these custom brackets will mount beneath your truck bed to provide attachment points for these fifth wheel rails. If you can see the base rails right here, this is what'll sit in your truck bed, and allows installation of your fifth wheel trailer hitch to your truck.
Now the installation kit, I'm gonna zoom in on the side here to show you those brackets. These are custom fit brackets right here that are designed to mount to the existing holes in your vehicle's frame. This will help minimize drilling. The installation time is cut in half compared with the universal bracket systems. You can see the holes here custom made just to fit into the holes on your vehicle.
Now this is a complete kit. It includes the brackets we just showed you, the base rails right here, and then all the mounting hardware that you need to install it. Comes with a nice set of instructions, describe how it all goes together. Now the rails right here, these are the visible rails. They'll be visible in the truck bed.
They do have a carbide matte black finish, and that's made or designed to match the Curt hitch. If you use the Curt fifth wheel hitch, it'll match the same color as the Curt carbide black finish on the hitch. Now these are industry standard rails. They are compatible with BMW, Curt, DrawTite, Hidden Hitch, Husky, and Reece above-bed fifth-wheel trailer hitches. But that should do it for the review on the Curt Carbide Black Custom Fit fifth wheel installation kit for the RAM trucks.
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Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (190 Customer Reviews)
Install your fifth-wheel trailer hitch in half the time with this vehicle-specific bracket kit. Requires no drilling and provides a custom fit for your vehicle. Includes everything you need for installation.
Does what it is supposed to do. I’ve pulled my 5th well 4000 miles with no problems since I installed it. Very happy with the product.
However, Installing it is no easy task. Every truck is slightly different, and Directions are vague but You-Tube videos help. Swivels and various lengths of extensions are necessary and even then getting a torque wrench on the bolts is tricky. Drilling is required as well as a step bit. Final alignment is very important. If you are not mechanically inclined and patient, you might consider getting it professionally installed.
Seems like a super high quality kit, but I will disagree with the ease of install. The instructions are super vague. It is quite difficult without putting the truck up on a lift and having several specialized tools. I consider myself sort of an average backyard automotive DIYer and I’ll have to take this in to a shop to finish. I think the page should say installation level medium or moderate.
Geat sturdy well designed. Pretty simple to install, only downside is on the driver side with the fuel tank. If you have a lift at home it's best to use it. Also recommend using a M12 drill and a right angle impact or equivalent to make the job a bit smoother. Very happy with overall product
Great product great customer service. Will make my next rv purchase with etrailer.com only issue is the instructions are not very clear.
Thank you for such a fine product!! We installed the fifth wheel hitch in my 2015 RAM 2500 Mega Cab without any problems. It took us 5 hours to complete the installation and all the brackets and bolts went in without an difficulties!!
Great people, great service and great products. Installation went as smooth as one could wish for with no mistakes thanks to the helpful advice given in the videos. Etrailer will be my only source for my trailer and hitch needs. A special thank you to Katherina.
I haven’t installed yet, but looks to be very good quality and good installation instructions
These people continue to amaze me! Their knowledge in anything trailer related is astounding!
Thanks, Russ
Before even starting the install I was sure to read the directions a couple of times to make sure this was something I wanted to attempt on my own. I hadn't installed a hitch before but had assumed since it was a custom kit it wouldn't be too difficult. The directions stated that the total install time for the diy'er was 180 mins. I read through and took note of all the tools I was going to need. What I would have REALLY appreciated was a "tools required" list at the top of the instructions. I thought I had all the tools needed but at the very end when you get to the rear rail you need a 7/8" bit for the bottom of the bed support. I advise you have one at the ready. I had to hone it out with my 9/16 which was a giant pain. Everything else went really smooth. On my particular application I had a real hard time torquing the front right bed bolt on the rear rail to spec (110ft-lbs) as the mount for a cross-bar makes it nearly impossible to fit a torque wrench in. (I ended up having to use 3/8" drive extensions to go up inside the bucket and torquing it from the bottom.
Total time:(including a couple of breaks, meltdowns, and a bunch of swearing and a 2yr old hiding dad's parts) 180 mins. Touche' Curt Mfg., touche'...
Experience level of installer: None
This is something that the average person can do. Make sure to watch all the helpful videos here on etrailer.com, read through the directions before starting, and make sure you have all the necessary tools to help ensure your installation goes as smooth as possible.
Product was great, installation instructions were well written and easy to follow.
I think after using it for about 5,000 miles of pulling our fifth wheel there must be a better system out that reduces the expected jarring from the movement of the hitch due to needed clearance to use pins.
I might have the hitch welded to the rails or find one that is not removable.
If you have a solid mount hitch, please let me know.
Tyler M.
12/16/2020
Hi Sam, Thank you for your review! If your truck does not have the OEM gooseneck package, then I would recommend getting the B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches, part BWRVK3500-5W and Part BWGNRK1384 . This setup will give you a much more solid connection to your truck and should help eliminate the jarring you are talking about.
Haven't had a chance to use the hitch yet but I got it installed without too much trouble. It took about 4 hours to install, the frame mounting brackets and rails, at a leisurely pace. The unit seems to be very sturdy and it is certainly built heavy. I'm looking forward to testing it out soon.
Everything was heavy duty and well made. The order was shipped and delivered quickly. I had the Camper dealership install the rails in my old truck so I didn't know exactly what to expect. The installation is a little more detailed than what you see in the video but that is always to be expected. it is manageable if you are a DIY'er and it helps a lot to have a second set of hands. The rails mount directly to the frame with the included hardware.
Missing lots of hardware! Previous reviews say the same, you would think they would fix the problem seeings how it appears to be a well known problem!
Jenny N.
7/19/2023
I am sorry that it the kit arrived missing hardware. Customer Service will be in touch.
Great service and very helpful finding the right part thanks Brandon
the no drill kit was just that,no drilling except the bed and that was not too bad. I would reccomend this kit to any one installing rail for a hitch.....
Was a easy install I was very pleased
Took about 5 hours to install but fits great using factory holes. Take your time lining up bracket before drilling. Only issue so far paint did flake and rust where hitch locks into bed rails. Will need ocassional sanding and touch up.
Rich R.
12/17/2021
Little bit of rust forming around slots where Andersen mounts to rail Other than that, working well.
Works great and easy install. The kit had the wrong nuts sent but curt sent me the right ones. It needed castle nuts and they included nuts and lock washers making the bolts to short. They did not know why but it was through Covid supply issues. Had great service through both teams. Thanks.
The installation Kit for the Ram Truck was great. Had it installed within 3 hours and ready to use. picture is attached.
the service from etrailer was just great. Order shipped the same day and I had it on the 2nd day.
The rails fit perfectly
The issues with the first delivery was handled to my satisfaction
Very pleased with the quality
Brackets and rails were of high quality and were a perfect fit on my 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 HD, using the factory frame 'jig' holes for attachment
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INSTALLATION NOTES: I looked up eTrailer's installation Video on the Dodge-specific custom brackets (in this case on a 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 HD). It was invaluable! It stated the task would take 1 and 1/2 hours for an expert; 3 to 4 hours for a novice. I am NOT an expert but have torn down and rebuilt an engine, replaced clutches and transmissions, and done brake jobs on my vehicles. Being admittedly slow because I want to be thorough (I wanted NO mistakes in drilling the holes needed into my new truck's bed), the task took about 3 days.
THE ISSUE: Though the under-bed brackets were perfectly made, there are two differences between the 2014 Dodge shown in the video (which I suspect was Gas engine equipped) and my 2015 Dodge 2500 (Cummings Diesel).
- CLEARANCE BETWEEN DIESEL FUEL TANK AND FRAME appeared to be MUCH less on my 2015 Dodge than the fuel tank on the 2014 Dodge (Gas?). The front left (in front of rear axle) frame bracket installation was WAY more difficult than in the video due to this clearance issue. A standard Torque wrench head with socket could not be fitted over the forward-most bolt due to this clearance issue between the Diesel fuel tank and the frame. I finally broke down and used a 'breaker' bar/socket combo and a piece of pipe to get that particular bolt tightened within a reasonable range of the proper torque.
- The rear axle suspension in the 2014 Dodge installation in the video was different than my 2015 truck. A significant mounting bracket for the new torsion bar was attached to the right-rear portion of the axle. I was adamantly against temporarily removing it (not even sure if I could have -- I THINK it was welded in place). Again clearance issues made installation of the right rear bracket quite a challenge for me.
Still I applaud eTrailer for making a high-quality kit that fits the bill!
The only reason I am not giving a 5 star is I get a lot of noise out of the unit I bought. I had the Ram dealer install my unit so I would hope it’s installed properly however I get a noise when towing my fifth wheel that sounds like the bed is twisting and moving. I had the dealer lift the truck up and I personally checked to make sure the sleeves that go in the bed supports were properly installed. After everything was checked for tightness and proper installation I still get the noise. This is my first fifth wheel that was not factory installed so perhaps this noise is common. This is my only complaint. This has otherwise been a great product.
Great fit and product easy install did it in the dirt on drive way with no issues on 2016 Ram 2500
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Joel P.
3/25/2015
Rails work flawlessly. Between two hitches and a GN adapter all have fit without any problems.