Nope no way I have had a 2004 Ram 2500,a 2005 Ram 3500 and a 2006 Ram 3500 and none of them had that little thing.
They all had factory tow package and all had a real hitch that went from frame to frame.
You have been real LUCKY


70 duster full chassis super pro 416 CNC Indybrock heads 727 w/brake

best so far 1.212 60 6.219 in 1/8 at 110.88 9.768 at 137.81 1/4