My 06' 1500 Hemi did not come with a factory hitch. I do however want to add one more then anything for the fact it becomes a mounting point for hitch steps and bars that act as an added rear bumper. And of course, if i ever do need to tow something, i am prepared. The other reason it would come in handy is pulling my neighbors out of the snow when they get stuck. I had to do that about 5 times last winter. Having to crawl under my truck and tie off to the bar behind the bumper is a pain. So with a hitch, i can buy one of those slide in hooks.

Anyhow, my question is this, what hitch do i buy? I see these simple to mount versions that cost less then a $100.00:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...Q5fAccessories

Woulnd this be fine? And based on how it looks, i am guessing it mounts using stock holes with no major hassle?

Or do i need a full hitch like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...Q5fAccessories

Just figured someone on this site must be familair with these hitches.

Thanks!

 

well hard to say, maybe some pics would help. I know my factory hitch has the FULL hitch, like your link shows. the bar goes across to tie into both sides of the frame. I don't THINK your truck will have the crossmember to bolt on the first link you showed. But I could be wrong,

 

Unless you are going to buy the "rest" of a towing package (especially the tranny cooler), the first one is fine. However, if you are going to do more with heavy weight besides just pull someone out of a ditch, then I'd suggest a class IV and at least a tranny cooler. Towing is REALLY hard on the transmission.

Also, front mount tow hooks would be VERY advisable. Your reverse gear is the strongest gear you have, and backing up to get someone unstuck is better than pulling forward. ALSO make sure you follow all the other safety stuff, like using a RECOVERY STRAP and not a tow strap and weighing the middle of the strap down to avoid whiplash in case of something breaking or coming loose...

 

Thanks for the help and advice. I owned a 2001.5 Turbo Diesel Ram and never towed anything, and i have no plans to ever tow anything then at most, one of those little wood chippers Home Depot rents. I just like the rear hitch bar that acts as a pre bumper.

Glad to see there is an inexpensive hitch that appears to be a an easy no hassle install.

You mention tow hooks, did you just buy the Mopar hooks used on heavier Ram's and then bolt them on? I know my TDR Had two massive hooks. I have to see if maybe there are holes already under the truck.

 

Assuming you have the factory crossmember all you need is the frist one. My 03 is a base model and it came with the crossmember and I just bought the hitch from the dealer and bolted it on. I nolonger have that setup but that was my original setup.

 

Ill make sure to check for the cross member before i order, but if yours was a base model and had it, then i am sure mine has it. Plus the ad for the hitch says it works on any in that year except those with factory hitches. So i should be safe. Thanks.

How involved was mounting it? It looks pretty simple?

 

My '04 1500 SLT came with the crossmember. I bought a hitch similar to the one in the first link. Took about 15 minutes to bolt up. Transmission cooler came factory. I've pulled 6,000lb cars on uhaul dolleys with no problem.

 

Installation is simple but you need to use a wire to snake two of the bolts into the mounting holes. This is a picture of the mount I bought at the dealer

 

Thanks for the detailed pic! Ill be ordering one soon.