5er hitch on new 2003 trucks?

[jdiebold]

Any problems putting a 5er hitch on the new trucks with the new frame? Will any drilling of the frame be required?



JD

 

[yogibear]

It took the tech(and he is good!) a day and a half to get my 20K Reese mounted in my 03(took it off my 00) I haven't seen it yet, so can't tell you how they did it, but its a bearcat, because you can't drill or weld on the frame. You should be talking to your RV dlr. or DC dlr. or both about it. My dlr. said he would stand most of the labor for it, will find out when I pick it up.

Larry

 

[jdiebold]

Thanks Yogi,



Please let me know what you think when you have had a chance to look it over.

Not sure where I read it, but I read that DC designed in too the frame mounting holes for 5er hitches. The hitch manufactures may have to design their hitches to fit the 2003 Dodge. My guess is that your tech modified the hitch to fit the truck.

I'll be putting a new hitch on my new truck so I may have to wait for the 5er hitch guys to catch up with the new trucks.



Hope your install works OK for you. Let me know how your new truck pulls.



JD

 

[RustyJC]

I saw on B&W's website that they have their turnoverball gooseneck/5th wheel hitch system available for the 2003 Dodges - their system was a straight bolt-on for my 2002 (the bolt holes were already there in the 2nd generation frame). I'm sure that Reese and the others are scrambling, if they're not already ready, for the 3rd generation Dodge 2500's and 3500's.



Rusty

 

[Forrest]

Why can't you drill or weld the frame?

 

[Fireman]

JD,



I know how you feel, I'm getting tired of waiting too. I guess that is the price you pay to be the first kid on the block with something new. I can live without most of the extras for a while, but I sure need a hitch. I'll pm you when I hear anything new.



Fireman

 

[redramnc]

Forrest,

The 03 frames are hydro-formed. They are made of a heat treated metal and are pre-stressed for less flex and more stability. Welding = lots of heat and drilling = localized heat so they are saying no welding or drilling as a CYA for liability on the frame strength.



Large trucks have been this way for years. Most have labels on the frame sides that say somethiing like "Heat-treated alloy - do not weld or drill. "



In general, get a good hitch from a reputable manufacturer and an educated, trained installer should be able to install the hitch correctly provided it is designed properly for the application. Finding the proper hitch for an 03 may take a while as they are new.

 

[jdiebold]

The hitch companys are scrambling!

I just got off the phone with RBW Industries. They make the Lil'Rocker hitch. I was told that they were working on a way to install their hitches to the new Dodges. They are looking at a clamp-on-the-frame type of arrangement because of the no-weld/no-drill directive from Dodge.



Their phone number is: 909-591-5359

I don't have an 800 number.



JD

 

[TowPro]

same goes for hitches. I was really ****** when Dodge decided it was OK for them to drill holes in it to add a bracket to stop a bad design from breaking.

Originally posted by redramnc





Large trucks have been this way for years. Most have labels on the frame sides that say somethiing like "Heat-treated alloy - do not weld or drill. "

 

[Hale on wheels]

You can't cut the frame... somebody tell chevy that... I had a 2000 chevy that the left front coil spring was warped or out of whack somehow, and it rubbed against the frame and made a squeaking sound that drove me nuts. I had it in several times and they never fixed it (too cheap to order a spring that would fit right I guess). The last time, after I thoroughly chewed out the service manager, they just cut notches out of the frame rail where the spring was rubbing, so as to alleviate the problem! Naturally I was quite upset, so upset that I vowed to never get a chevy truck again and I told them I was going to trade it in on a Dodge. Well, I guess it had a happy ending after all!

 

[Casey Balvert]

I got this response from DC

I received this response from DC today. Also see my post in the 2003 section.



Dear Mr. Balvert:



We are pleased to learn of your purchase of a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab truck and appreciate your inquiry regarding the installation of a fifth wheel hitch.



The manufacturer of the fifth wheel hitch is responsible for providing an approved procedure to install the hitch to the vehicle. DaimlerChrysler Canada recommends not to drill or to weld the fifth wheel hitch to the frame. Please consult your fifth wheel hitch manufacturer for further information. .



Thank you for giving us the opportunity to review this matter with you.



NOTE: Please do not use the 'Reply' function of your email. If you have a need to respond to this, please visit us at our reply form (link provided below). Our system is NOT able to accept any emails at this address.



For any future communications related to this email, please refer to the following information:

REFERENCE NUMBER: 10515935

TICKET (Tracking) NUMBER: 1853246

REPLY LINK:



Janine Robillard

Customer Service Manager

DaimlerChrysler Canadian Customer Assistance Center





****************************************

------- Original Message --------

From: -- email address removed --

Date: 10/06/02 06:34:39





Form Selected:

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Customer Type: Owner

Category: Other

Sub Category:

Brief Description:

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Can the frame on my 2003 3500 be drilled for the installation of a fifth wheel hitch? Rumor is that you can't drill the frame. I need to install a fifth wheel hitch and this limits my options.

Comments:

---------

Would appreciate a response asap as I need to install a hitch soon. ... ... ... .....

Sender Information:

 

[Peter Campbell]

"Go to www.turnoverball.com. They have a great system that requires no drilling or welding and can be used in gooseneck or fifth wheel applications" post dragged(stolen) out of 3rd gen forum. They have a hidden ball hitch for the 2003 2500 and 3500. No PDF manual posted on the website for that hitch. I just E-mailed them to confirm that drilling is not required. If/When they get back I will try to post thier reply. Not affiliated. Just speccing out a dream.

 

[Casey Balvert]

I received confirmation from Chrysler tonight. The recommed that you DO NOT drill the frame. She also said that all the hitch manufacturers are aware of it. Obviously she was wrong.



Oh well.



Casey

 

[Peter Campbell]

I promised I would post- here is the text of the E-mail 24 Hour turnaround- not bad. Looks like a promising product. :

Peter,



We have had the Turnover Ball for the 03' Dodge out for about 2 months. It is model #1303. We have redesigned the hitch so that there are no hole to drill in the frame. We are using U-bolts to clamp the side plates to the frame. This was done because, as you mentioned, Dodge recommends not drilling the new tubular frame. The new design has been received very well by our dealers saying that they are as easy or easier to install.



If you would like to order a hitch, or have any other questions, please give me a call at 800-248-6564.



Mike Taylor

Sales Mgr





not affiliated, just posting research.

 

[Peter Campbell]

A little more info I will try to attach pics. You can see the plates around the frame and the end of the "U" bolt that goes through plate and around the frame.

 

[Peter Campbell]

Here is the one I was supposed to post. Had to cut it to get under 32 KB

 

[GJones]

03 5th wheel hitch

Visited my dealer Saturday and asked about mounting a 5th wheel hitch. He called the factory, they said no welding or drilling. Dealer said he would mount (drill) anyway and back it up. I said I would wait to see what hitch manufactures do.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Re: 03 5th wheel hitch

Originally posted by GJones

Visited my dealer Saturday and asked about mounting a 5th wheel hitch. He called the factory, they said no welding or drilling. Dealer said he would mount (drill) anyway and back it up. I said I would wait to see what hitch manufactures do.

GJ, I think you are wise to wait. There are now three manufacturer that I am aware of that are working on the problem and close to a solution. Hijacker has them for the half tons and I believe is close to having one for the HDs. Turnoverball has had one for a while by the sound of it and I would have gone that route if I hadn't already invested a fair buck in the Pullrite. I have a new Pullrite 25. 5 sitting in my garage. Spoke to them yesterday afternoon. They have a dually sitting on the rack now and they are looking at the various options. I suggested to them that U-Bolts were the easiest way to go (especially on the fuel tank side) as long as they used an existing frame hole on each side as an anchor to prevent fore and aft movement. Said they would know something by mid week. I heard Reece has a system out or is close to it although I never was a Reece fan. I am hoping to get one more trip out of it before storing the trailer. Really want to see what the new motor will do with the fiver. Oo



Casey

 

[Fireman]

That's good news Casey. I too am waiting for Pullrite to develop mounts for the '03s, I really like their locking mechanism, and their Suer Rails. I asked about the B&W a few weeks ago, because I need a goose as well as a 5th wheel. RustyJC gave a less than favorable report on their Companion 5th Wheel hitch, thereforeI am trying to be patient. Let us know the minute you find out the Pullrite mounts are avalable.

Fireman

Patience my arse, I wonna tow something!

. Oo.

 

[Casey Balvert]

No problem, I will call you on my way to Indiana. I'll race you for the first set of brackets they make.



Casey