Vertical Play with Reese Adapter for 2015 Ram with OEM 5th Wheel Prep Package

Question:

2015 ram with the oem mounts and I have gotten it all lined up and fits nice with exceptional to the t pins. I am able to pull up on the hitch and the hitch will come up about a 1/4-1/2inch depending on what corner you pick up on. What I want to know is how tight should this fitment be? Loose snug or tight? Also the handles turn extremely hard due to the weld and spatter from manufacturing. I also do not feel like the t pins have enough adjustment if these should be tight or snug. I have been adjusting them and right now I almost have the t pins bottomed out.

asked by: Jake

Expert Reply:

The Reese adapter for Ram trucks # RP30154 should be snug meaning you should not be able to pull up on the unit and leave a gap between it and the truck bed. Turning the handles will get easier. Like many similar products after it is broken in it tends to be easier.

You mentioned adjusting the Tee pins which is normal. But it is possible that you may need to adjust the bushings especially if the handles are hard to operate. Taken from the instructions:

This can be done by loosening removing the four cotter pins in the anchor handles, then unthreading the tee pins from the anchor handles. Once the handles and tee pins are removed a closed ended wrench or wrench provided can be used to loosen the four 1” jam nuts. Do not completely unthread the jam nuts, then drop the kit into the mounting pucks. While the kit is in the correct position tighten down the 4 jam nuts so there is not vertical play in the anchor bushing and the fore-aft tube. Finally install the tee pins and the cotter pins in the reverse order they were removed.

To adjust handle tension when locked; first remove adapter from pucks. Next, while keeping the handle to tee pin orientation, remove the cotter pin. To loosen, rotate the tee pin counterclockwise 1/2 rotation, and replace cotter pin. Conversely, if there is too much clearance in the attachments when locked, the clearance can be removed by rotating the tee pin clockwise 1/2 rotation, and replacing the cotter pin. If adapter still will not securely pin into underbed mounting kit, or is still too loose, steps may need to be repeated.

I have included a link to the instructions for reference. It sounds like there is just some fine tuning that needs to be done to get it to fit snug.

expert reply by: Michael H