2014-2017 Ram 1500 3.0L EcoDiesel Bumper Hitches

Hitching up a 2014-2017 Ram 1500 3.0L EcoDiesel

The factory Class IV receiver was standard on Tradesman and Laramie trucks. It weighs 11.1 lb, carries up to 1,100 lb of tongue weight, and it's the hitch behind the roughly 9,200 lb ratings Ram published for this truck. Ram recommends about 10 percent of trailer weight on the tongue and a weight-distributing hitch for anything over 5,000 lb. Trucks that didn't come with a receiver can add a factory-style Class IV unit. What you pick on this page is what connects that receiver to the trailer: the ball mount or pulling hitch, and for bigger trailers, weight distribution.

Choosing a ball mount: shank, drop and style

Start with the shank. It has to match the opening of your receiver, so measure the inside before you order. B&W's Tow & Stow adjustable ball mounts come with 2-, 2.5- and 3-inch shanks. Next is drop. Park truck and trailer on level ground with the trailer sitting level, then measure from the ground to the top of the receiver opening and from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler. The difference is the drop you need. B&W's lineup here runs from a 2.5-inch to a 9-inch drop, and the adjustable design lets you fine-tune. Then pick the style: Standard, Pintle for ring-eye trailers, or MultiPro/MultiFlex. Big Hitch Products' BHP2000 (2-inch) and BHP2001 (2.5-inch) adjustable pulling hitches are another route, and B&W's triple tow ball mount puts three ball sizes on one mount.

When to add weight distribution

Above 5,000 lb, Ram recommends a weight-distributing hitch. On a half-ton that matters, because tongue weight comes out of payload, and the 2016 chart lists the Crew Cab 5'7" at 1,330 lb of payload in 4x4 form and 1,540 lb as a 4x2 with 3.55s. B&W's WDHK4500 weight distribution hitch is here for owners pulling campers and bigger trailers.

What we carry

• B&W Trailer Hitches: Tow & Stow adjustable ball mounts in Standard, Pintle and MultiPro/MultiFlex versions with 2-, 2.5- and 3-inch shanks, the BMTT31004 triple tow ball mount, BWBMHD30010 heavy duty ball mounts and the WDHK4500 weight distribution hitch.
• Big Hitch Products: BHP2000 and BHP2001 adjustable pulling hitches.

More options are in our main hitches collection.

Fitment notes

Listed for the Ram 1500 with the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6. A shank larger than your receiver opening won't fit, so measure first. Your setup is only as strong as its lowest-rated part, so check the ratings on the receiver, ball mount and ball, and stay inside Ram's chart row for your cab, bed, drive and axle. Verify by VIN if you're unsure what hitch equipment your truck came with.

Frequently asked questions

Can I tow off the rear bumper of my Ram 1500 EcoDiesel?

Ram's tow ratings for this truck are built around the factory Class IV receiver, not a bumper ball. If you want the chart numbers to apply, tow from a receiver. Trucks without one can add a factory-style Class IV receiver.

How do I figure out the drop I need?

With truck and trailer level, measure ground to the top of the receiver opening and ground to the bottom of the coupler. The difference is your drop. Pick the B&W mount closest to that number and use the adjustment to fine-tune.

Do I need the weight distribution hitch?

Ram recommends one for trailers over 5,000 lb. Keep tongue weight near 10 percent of the trailer and under the receiver's 1,100 lb limit. If your trailer is lighter than that, a properly rated ball mount is often enough.

Will a 2.5-inch or 3-inch shank fit my truck?

Only if your receiver opening is that size. Measure the inside of the receiver before ordering. A larger shank won't go into a smaller receiver, and reducer sleeves only step an opening down, never up.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.