How to Build a Complete RAM® Mount Setup for Your Vehicle

RAM^® mounts use a modular ball-and-socket design. Every component connects via a rubber ball that seats into a matching socket, and a knob clamps the two halves together. The base attaches to your vehicle, the arm bridges the base to the cradle, and the cradle holds your device. Because all three components share the same ball interface within a size tier, you can mix and match freely across the entire RAM^® product range.

This modularity is what makes the system so practical over time. If you upgrade from a phone to a tablet, you swap the cradle, not the whole mount. If your base is set back further than expected, you replace the arm with a longer one. No new holes, no new hardware, no starting from scratch.

The most common mistake at checkout is buying a "complete kit" without checking whether the base suits your vehicle's mounting point or whether the cradle fits your specific device. Understanding the three-step decision process, ball size first, base second, arm and cradle third, prevents that entirely. Every section below covers one step.

RAM^®'s system is built around four main size tiers: B, C, D, and E. These are the most widely used configurations across the product range; verify against current RAM^® documentation for any specialised applications. All components within a tier share the same ball diameter, making them fully interchangeable. Mixing sizes across tiers requires an adapter. Ball size is the single most important compatibility variable in the system, and it's the first thing to lock in.

This modularity is what makes long-term changes easy, you can use the same base and arm with new cradles as devices change.

Ball size is not a styling choice. It's the weight rating of your entire setup. Use an undersized ball system on a heavy device and the arm will slowly sag under vibration, especially on rough roads. Use an oversized system on a phone and you're paying for capacity you don't need. Match the ball size to your device weight first, then everything else follows. For a quick reference on weight and capacity, see What RAM^® Mount Do I Need? A Simple Buyer’s Guide for Phones, Tablets, and GPS

B-size handles up to 0.91 kg (2 lbs), which covers most current smartphones and compact GPS units. It's a commonly used tier in the RAM^® range, available in a broad selection of bases, arms, and cradles. For anyone mounting a phone in a car, ute, or motorcycle, B-size is the standard starting point.

C-size (1.5" ball) is rated to 1.81 kg (4 lbs) and suits most 8 to 10-inch tablets. D-size (2.25" ball) handles up to 2.72 kg (6 lbs), covering rugged handhelds and larger tablets used in commercial and field applications. E-size (3.38" ball) is rated to 6.8 kg (15 lbs) and handles laptops and heavy commercial devices. Quick reference:

• Smartphone or compact GPS:
  • B-size (1" ball)
• 8, 10" consumer tablet:
  • C-size (1.5" ball)
• Rugged handheld or large tablet:
  • D-size (2.25" ball)
• Laptop or heavy commercial device:
  • E-size (3.38" ball)

When in doubt, size up. A heavier-rated system used below capacity performs better in high-vibration environments than one running at its rated limit every day.

Once ball size is confirmed, choose your base by identifying exactly where in the vehicle it will attach. RAM^® produces bases for virtually every surface and mounting point, but the wrong base for your location means either unplanned drilling or a mount that shifts under braking. Know your mounting point before selecting anything.

The main options cover most vehicles and use cases:

Round AMPS bases (such as the RAM-B-202) suit the pre-drilled AMPS hole patterns found in most commercial vehicles. For an example of a popular ball base option, see the RAM VB-196-1.

For smooth flat surfaces without existing holes, adhesive or screw-mount diamond bases are commonly used options.

No-Drill™ bases clamp directly to the passenger-side front seat bolts using the vehicle's existing hardware. Universal options accommodate seat bolt spacings from 9" to 18.875" centre-to-centre, with vehicle-specific bases available for popular platforms including Ford, Dodge, and Jeep models.

Torque™ rail bases and U-bolt clamps suit tubing from 0.75" to 1.5" in diameter. Sizing inserts (bushings) fill the gap between the clamp and the rail to protect the surface and eliminate movement.

Suction cup bases work for temporary setups but are not recommended for high-vibration applications,off-road use, or heavy devices.

Cup-holder style bases offer no-drill solutions on many passenger vehicles and suit everyday commuter use.

Seat bolt, cup holder, and suction bases are no-drill options, quick to install and fully reversible. They work well for most passenger cars and light commercial use. Drilled and bolted bases are permanent but deliver the firmest hold, which matters for off-road, heavy devices, or high-cycle commercial daily use. Match the base permanence to how the vehicle is actually used. A mine-site ute running corrugated access roads every day needs a different base commitment than a city commuter vehicle with a dashmountedphone.

With ball size and base decided, the arm and cradle complete the setup. Arm length controls how far the device extends from the mounting point and what viewing angle is achievable. The cradle determines how the device is held and how secure it is under vibration.

RAM^® double socket arms come in short (A), standard (B), and long (C) lengths. Short A-arms have a socket-to-socket reach of around 1.75 inches, standard B-arms extend to approximately 3 inches, and long C-arms reach up to 5.31 inches. Flexible 12-inch bendable rods are also available for unusual mounting positions. Short arms keep the device close to the dash, reduce vibration leverage, and suit most phone installs in passenger vehicles. Longer arms are necessary when the base is set well back, such as a seat bolt mount, and the device needs to reach a comfortable position in the driver's line of sight. For reference on common double-socket arm options, see the RAM^® 201U double-socket arm and RAM^® double-socket arm.

The longer the arm, the more leverage it places on the base. If you're running a longer arm, pair it with a heavier-duty base and confirm all fasteners are fully tightened before driving. For longer fixed reaches consider models like the RAM 408-75-1U. The Mounts Australia team can advise on the right arm length for your vehicle layout. It's a quick conversation that prevents a lot of guesswork.

The X-Grip® is RAM^®'s spring-loaded universal cradle, gripping the sides of phones via rubber-tipped metal arms without any adapters. It fits most current smartphones even with a case fitted, and changing devices doesn't require a new cradle. The trade-off is that in extreme vibration environments, off-road or on motorcycles, a tether is recommended as a secondary retention point.

For tablets, the Tab-Tite™ and Tab-Lock™ series use a spring-loaded tray with interchangeable end cups sized to the device's exact dimensions. Tab-Lock adds a keyed locking mechanism, useful for high-theft risk locations or commercial deployments. Device-specific cradles also exist for Garmin, TomTom, and other GPS units, providing a tighter fit than any universal option. Before ordering a cradle, measure your device in its case. Cases can add several millimetres to device width, that's often enough to cause a cradle mismatch.

With all three components chosen, assembly is straightforward. Sequence matters here, don't tighten anything until the full system is positioned with the device loaded.

1. Attach the base to the vehicle mounting point first. Confirm it is fully secure before adding any further components.

2. Seat the arm onto the base ball. Leave the socket knob loose at this stage; you'll adjust the angle after the cradle is attached.

3. Attach the cradle to the other end of the arm and load your device into it.

4. With the device sitting at the correct viewing angle, tighten both socket knobs firmly by hand. Check the angle with the device loaded, then re-check and re-tighten as needed after the first drive.

5. Apply firm lateral pressure to the device. No movement should transfer to the base. If it does, check base fastener tightness first.

For Torque™ rail and handlebar bases, use the included hex key and nylock nuts. RAM does not publish specific torque values, but the nylon-insert locknuts handle high-vibration environments effectively when fully seated. For any install on a vehicle used off-road or under sustained heavy vibration, check all socket knobs and base fasteners again after the first drive. Components settle slightly under load, and a single re-tighten after that first outing keeps everything firm from that point forward. If you want to see typical rail-mount tightening and checks in action, this short demonstration video is helpful.

Even with the correct components, installation errors produce problems that shouldn't exist. These are the ones that come up most often.

Running a long arm off a small B-size base in a high-vibration vehicle is the leading cause of sag and wobble. The fix is straightforward: shorten the arm or step up to a larger ball size and heavier base. On windshield suction mounts, placing the device too high frequently blocks the driver's sightline through the windscreen. Position the cradle so the bottom of the device clears the steering wheel's line of sight, not just the wheel itself.

Mixing B-size and C-size components without an adapter is a common ordering mistake, and entirely avoidable. Confirm ball size is consistent across base, arm, and cradle before placing any order. For tablet installs, measure the device in its case. This is where most cradle misfits originate. If anything is unclear before ordering, contact the Mounts Australia team directly. Getting the right parts the first time saves are turn shipping round-trip and the time spent waiting for a replacement. If you're working with specific RAM^® part numbers, it's worth checking the manufacturer's listings for exact compatibility, for example, the RAM B-316-1-202U is one such product to reference when matching ball sizes and mounting interfaces.

Building a complete RAM^® mount setup for your vehicle comes down to a clear decision sequence: ball size first (matched to device weight), base second (matched to mounting point and drilling preference),arm and cradle third (matched to reach and device dimensions). Follow that sequence and the system goes together cleanly, stays put, and lasts for years.

The modularity pays off over time. A tradie who installs a seat bolt base today can swap from a phone cradle to a tablet cradle two years from now without touching the base or the arm. That kind of flexibility is rare in vehicle mounting hardware. For further demonstration of modular swaps and real-world uses, watch this practical modular mounting tutorial.

Mounts Australia holds extensive local stock of genuine RAM components, bases, arms, and cradles across B, C, D, and E size systems, with fast dispatch nationwide. No grey-market products, no international shipping delays, and real expert advice from people who spec these systems every day.

Browse the full range at Mounts Australia, or get in touch if you want a recommendation matched to your specific vehicle and device before you order.