This is a foundation component, and the only one in our RAM range that needs no drilling at all: a 3.3″ diameter Twist-Lock suction cup connected to a diamond base plate carrying a B Size ball. It's built for vehicle windshields and other smooth, nonporous surfaces — press it on, flip the Twist-Lock lever, and it holds; flip back and lift to remove it, with no marks left behind.

Features

• Twist-Lock suction cup is ideal for vehicle windshields and other nonporous surfaces
• Includes a diamond ball base compatible with any B Size RAM double-socket arm; ball-and-socket technology allows near-infinite adjustability
• Made of high-strength composite and powder-coated, marine-grade aluminum for durability in the most demanding environments
• Backed by a lifetime warranty* (the suction cup rubber itself is a wear item and is not covered)

How RAM's modular system works

Every RAM mount is built from up to three parts that click together, and the same parts mix and match across RAM's entire catalog:

• A base — clamps, bolts, or straps onto the vehicle (a rail, a roll bar, a dash, a windshield, or a device's own housing).
• An arm — connects two RAM balls together. It locks at any angle, so once mounted you can tilt, rotate, and reposition the device freely, then lock it firmly by hand.
• A cradle or holder — grips the specific device (tablet, phone, GPS unit, camera).

Not every product includes all three parts — some are just the base, some bundle a cradle, some are a complete kit. Further down this page we say plainly which parts this specific product includes, so you know exactly what you're getting and what, if anything, you'd need to add.

The ball size determines what it can carry. RAM uses five ball sizes, each rated for a different weight and duty class:

• A Size — rarely used; costs more to make than B Size but carries less. Reserved for small, low-profile items like security cameras where bulk matters more than capacity.
• B Size (1″ ball) — RAM's most common size, standard duty. This is what RAM recommends for phones, GPS units, and light tablets in normal use.
• C Size (1.5″ ball) — heavy duty. Used for larger tablets, handheld computers/scanners, CB radios, and anything mounted somewhere that gets a lot of vibration or shock — exactly the case in a tractor, ATV, or UTV cab.
• D and E Size — reserved for large monitors and specialist/military equipment; rarely needed outside those cases.

This product uses a B Size ball (1″ / 25 mm) on its built-in diamond plate — the standard-duty size RAM recommends for phones, GPS units, and light tablets. There isn't a C Size version of this suction base; for a heavier device, bolting or clamping to a fixed point is usually the sturdier choice over a suction mount.

Rule of thumb: if the mount will live somewhere that's frequently jostled, vibrated, or under constant load — an off-road vehicle like a tractor, ATV, or UTV — RAM recommends stepping up to the larger ball size for extra stability, even if a lighter mount would technically hold the device's weight.

What makes a suction base different from RAM's other bases: every other base in our RAM range (round plate, diamond plate) is meant to be bolted or screwed down permanently. This one holds by vacuum instead, which means it needs an extremely smooth, non-textured surface — a windshield or a highly polished metal or plastic panel. Any texture lets air in and the grip weakens. That also makes it the only base here you can move between vehicles or reposition in seconds, with nothing to unscrew and no holes left behind.

The trade-off: sudden temperature swings can loosen the hold. If that happens, just press the cup back onto the surface and re-engage the Twist-Lock lever — RAM's own guidance is that it holds reliably in any environment you'd normally be driving in.

No tools required, on purpose. RAM arms are designed to be tightened by hand only — there's no official torque spec, because the ball-and-socket joint is meant to be adjustable in the field without a wrench. If hand-tightening doesn't hold your device firmly, that's usually a sign the ball size is undersized for the device — sizing up solves it, rather than over-tightening.

Aluminum or composite — both are built for the outdoors. RAM mounts are made from marine-grade aluminum or high-strength composite, interchangeably depending on the part; both carry a lifetime warranty and similar weight ratings. Aluminum's powder-coat finish handles rough vibration and shock slightly better; composite skips the paint entirely, so it has nothing to chip, and is often preferred in high-corrosion or salt-air environments. Neither choice is "worse" — it's a trade-off between finish and environment.

Specifications

Frequently asked questions

What surfaces does this work on?
Suction cups hold by vacuum, so they need an extremely smooth surface — vehicle windshields and highly polished metal or plastic panels work best. Any texture lets air in and weakens the grip.

Is drilling required?
No — this is the one base in our RAM range that needs no drilling or screws at all. Press it onto a clean, smooth surface and flip the Twist-Lock lever to engage it.

Does it include an arm or holder?
No — this is the suction base and ball only. Add a B Size double-socket arm and an AMPS-compatible cradle for your specific device to complete the mount.

Will it hold in cold storage or low temperatures?
It maintains its hold in any environment you'd normally be driving in, but sudden temperature swings can loosen a suction cup. If that happens, press it back onto the surface and re-engage the Twist-Lock.

What's the overall height?
About 2.992″ from the top of the ball to the rubber of the suction cup.

Is the whole thing covered by RAM's lifetime warranty?
The mount hardware is, but the suction cup rubber itself is considered a wear item and isn't covered under the lifetime warranty — the same as a wiper blade or a tire.

How is this different from the round or diamond bolt-down plates?
Those two are bolted or screwed down permanently. This one holds by vacuum and can be repositioned or moved between vehicles in seconds, but it needs a smoother surface and isn't rated for as much sustained load.