03 fiver hitch w/no mods

[MojaveJoe]

03 fiver hitch w/no mods yet?

OK, I haven't read anything lately about the no mods to the 03 frame issue, when installing a 5er hitch. For that matter, does this NoNo apply also to a custom receiver hitch welded to the back of the frame?



Has any mfr come out with either style no weld/ no drill hitch that DC will accept and that won't void my warranty?



In case you couldn't tell, Im still debating "to 5er or not to 5er"

and hoping this issue might help me decide

 

[Prairie Dog]

In reference to a custom receiver hitch, were you going to remove the stock one? If so it would be difficult to reproduce as the stocker serves as a cross member and is an integral part of the frame.

I like pulling with the regular hitch (IMHO). I have lots of room for junk in the bed and with modern hitches, trailer sway is pretty much a thing of the past.

 

[Steve M]

I installed my 5th wheel hitch last weekend following the PDF directions on the Reese website. It was the hitch out of my '01. 5 that was origionally in my '98. I bought a new hardware kit that included a couple of spacer tubes so the hitch can be mounted over the axle instead of 3. 5" ahead of the axle. All went well and a trip by the dealership was met with thumbs up. I have some pics in jpg format if you're interested.

Don't know about the receiver at the rear except that mine is bolted to the sides of the frame rails instead of the bottom like the '01,'98,and '95 were.

 

[MojaveJoe]

P. Dog... Who makes the stock receiver hitch? I thought it was less than adequate when reading prior threads on the subject. What are its towing and hitch weight ratings?



Any other gents out there with favorable experience towing with the stock receiver hitch? What weight and size rigs?



Steve... Sounds like a good install. What brand hitch is it? Did you have to drill any holes in the frame to use those spacers? Thought the only approved method was the clamp it to the rails trick. Hmmmm. Sure, send jpgs. Can't ever have enough info on this subject.

 

[Fireman]

Joe,



Pull rite has no drill/ noweld mounts for your truck. You can get the conventional base rails, or the super rails which are completely removable and stronger. Search the net, pullrite.com, to find a dealer near you. Excellent products and customer service



Fireman

 

[Steve M]

mojaveJoe,

Here's the scoop on the frame.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62297



I have a Reese 15k. I went to your email address in your profile but it goes through the TDR website and won't let me attach anything. Send me an e-mail to -- email address removed -- and I'll reply with some jpegs of the hitch installation.

 

[Dean Upson]

I have the PullRite 20. 5 SuperFive hitch mounted on the conventional rails, not the super rails that Fireman has. In either case PullRite should be able to fix you up with custom brackets for your 4x4. The last I heard they are still working up the brackets for the 4x2's and they may be ready in March. PullRite is a great company to deal with.



Dean

 

[TBOB]

03 5er

steve, I TO INSTALLED THE REESE 15K HITCH BY DRILLING THE FRAME. YOU CAN DRILL THE SIDE RAIL UP TO . 75 INCH AND WELD IF NEED BE. IT WORKED OUT JUST FINE. EXCEPT THE TRUCK DOESN'T LIKE THE LOAD IN 1ST AND 2ND, DIRVE LINE VIBRATION. THE DEALER MECH WATCHED THE DIFF WHILE SET THE BRAKES ON THE 5ER AND PROCEEDED TO PULL IT. THE MECH SAID THE FRONT OF THE DIFF WENT UP 2". HE IS GOING TO TRY DEGREE SHIMS. IT'S A 3500 4X2. I THINK THE SPRINGS ARE TOO LONG AND ARE TOO SOFT FOR THE GOOD RIDE WHEN EMPTY, SO WITH A LOT OF TORQUE IN 1ST AND 2ND THE DRIVE IS CHOKED UP. TBOB