5er hitch on new 2003 trucks?

[CAKUZ]

Turnover ball

Originally posted by 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.

Get a turnover ball. Only $325. 00 for the ball, $ 649. 00 for the 'Companion 5th Wheel Hitch, + $$$. $$ shipping from Kansas + installation = about $1500. - $1600. I notice B&W gives us the 30,000 # tow capacity for the ball but does not mention capacity for the 5th wheel hitch.

Bought a new 1/2" H. D. drill and am waiting for the new brackets to install my almost new 20,000 # Reese hitch on my 2003 Ram 3500 Quad Cab DRW CTD so I can hook to my 18,300 GVWR Hitchhiker RV. About half the cost of the Turnover ball setup. Good luck with whatever you use. Retired long-distance truck driver.

 

[Dsl_Duo]

RustyJC

RustyJC gave a less than favorable report on their Companion 5th Wheel hitch, therefore I am trying to be patient.

I don't believe that I have read anything but praise from Rusty on the B&W turnover ball and Companion 5th Wheel hitch.



In fact based on Rusty's posts I have been seriously considering upgrading to this hitch.



Rusty?



Dsl_Duo

 

[Fireman]

Dsl_Duo,



Since I opened this can of worms I'll try to put them all back. About a month ago I posted a question about the Companion 5th wheel hitch and got a reply from Rusty stating that he had experenced some bucking under braking because the mounting post was flexing. He told me how he fixed the situation by using 3" angle under the hitch feet, running the length of the bed to stiffen the mount. If you would like to read this post, search subject B&W hitch-username fireman56-forum towing and hauling.



I gathered from Rusty's reply that his hitch functions as it should since the modification. He also mentioned that this had been discussed on irv2.com, a little looking there reveiled that others had problems also. I like the concept, but I decided not to buy something that may not work properly and/or have to be modified to work properly. The goose seems to be a good product and I still may get one of them someday.



I hope that satisfies everyone, and I want to thank Rusty again for his time and candor.



Fireman

 

[RustyJC]

Here's a link to a discussion another individual and I had regarding the 5ver hitch flex we had both experienced with the B&W. It's a long thread, but it might be educational.



LINK



Rusty

 

[Peter Campbell]

Obout B&W- I did not say it was cheap. I am looking at it for a gooseneck. The companion hitch only looks good if you REALLY dont want the brackets in the back, tow both and are willing to pay. I think many of the other brands only leave a pair of mounting rails when removed- not flat but you get the bed back-sortof. And for less money. I did not get the truck yet, I did not yet trade in my tag- along car trailer.

This was about drilling. I am willing to pay extra to stay inside design specifications. Maybe my job ( nuclear reactor operator) predisposes me not to second guess engineering on certain things. Truck frames are not rocket science- or reactor engineering. But with a stiffened frame of different steel, drilling holes puts you " outside of the design basis " -per dodges own recommendation. Most likely CYA on dodges part. I did drill holes in the frame of my present truck per the AERO tanks instuction page. This was in direct variance with the service manual. That bothered me then, it still bothers me a little . So if I cracked the truck there I would be my own warranty station on a frame repair. If I broke the back of the truck and went out of control, whatever happened would be my resposibility and not dodges. I will let others find out where it is ok to drill these frames, and where it will cause problems. I'll pay a little extra in a year for the vendor who can put a hitch on the truck per the OEM intention. I can experiment on my 1998. 5 when it becomes the "spare " truck :

 

[Casey Balvert]

Pete, Can you pick me up one of those reactor thingys. My furnace just went south on me and it is getting cold up here. Only if you have a spare one laying around somewhere. Would appreciate the instructions too, but not really necessary. I can probably figure it out by trial and error.



Casey

 

[klenger]

OK Homer.

 

[Jim Smith]

Originally posted by jdiebold

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



JD

Just check with your hitch manufacturer. Reese is developing new brackets according to their techs. No drilling/ welding, sounds like DCX just wants to make sure no unqualified folks mess with the frames and cause any problems. Jim

 

[CAKUZ]

Re: Re: 5er hitch on new 2003 trucks?

Originally posted by szumigalas

Just check with your hitch manufacturer. Reese is developing new brackets according to their techs. No drilling/ welding, sounds like DCX just wants to make sure no unqualified folks mess with the frames and cause any problems. Jim

Jim; Are you sure about the 'No drilling/welding' part? I sent Reese an email asking what would be required to install my 20K model Reese hitch on my 03 Ram, that I was concerned about Dodge saying not to weld or drill the new frame. The reply from Reese on 10/10/02;

"We will have new brackets and instructions to install your Reese hitch on the 2003 Dodge Ram by the end of this month. It will require drilling or welding to attach the brackets to the frame.

Reese Tech":-{}

 

[Casey Balvert]

Pullrite

I spoke to the Pullrite folks today again. I know they must be getting sick of me calling them but they are very pleasant. They are hoping to have something by the end of this week. No drilling or welding required. I know that some manufacturers are drilling the frame anyway. Personally the metal in these hydroformed frames is rather thin and I don't know if I want to bet 16,000 pounds of trailer on it holding. I will wait for Pullrite to do it right. Hey Fireman, I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel, my man.



Cheers,



Casey

 

[Jim Smith]

Re: Re: Re: 5er hitch on new 2003 trucks?

Originally posted by CAKUZ

Jim; Are you sure about the 'No drilling/welding' part? I sent Reese an email asking what would be required to install my 20K model Reese hitch on my 03 Ram, that I was concerned about Dodge saying not to weld or drill the new frame. The reply from Reese on 10/10/02;

"We will have new brackets and instructions to install your Reese hitch on the 2003 Dodge Ram by the end of this month. It will require drilling or welding to attach the brackets to the frame.

Reese Tech":-{}

Thanks for the info , I'll call my Reese dealer.

 

[Fireman]

Light at the end of the tunnel

Gee, I hope so !Oo.



Let's hope that's not a train.



Fireman

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I just installed the Turnover ball hitch from B&W. They have a great hitch, super sano install and for the 5er guys, there is an add on for a fifth wheel. goto www.turnoverball.com . It took me about 2 hours +or- to do the install. It clamps to the frame and hooks into the hole in front of the axle and pulls in tight.

 

[Fireman]

Greg'



I looked hard at the B&W, it looks like a superb goose, but the 5th wheel hitch was less than impressive. Since the majority of mt towing is with a 5th, I'm going to wait for a dedicated hitch.



Fireman



Oh, BTW Pull Rite has a rail system that leaves a clean bed like the B&W

 

[ksele]

Reese & Drawtite 5er info for 2003's

Got a 2003 - Heavy Duty 3500 single wheeler on order. I made inquires about 5th wheel hitches with Reese and Drawtite and this is what they said: Reese - "Special brackets to mount the 5th wheel rails will be available in about 2 weeks" (... by Nov 12th maybe??)



Drawtite - "Parts are available for the 16K hitch (part# 6032). The hitch is mounted on rails (part# 6005). The rails come with 4 brackets, but only two of them will be used. Two new brackets are needed to mount hitch on 2003's. The part number for them is 58186. " The Drawtite person I spoke to said the brackets are so new that dealers probably will not have them listed in their parts book yet, but the brackets should be at their distribution centers right now.



I'm anxiouisly waiting to get my 5er hooked up to my new 3500 single wheeler Heavy Duty and get going! The wife and I (and our Yorkie) are gonna try full time RVing.

 

[Jim Smith]

Re: Reese & Drawtite 5er info for 2003's

Originally posted by ksele

Got a 2003 - Heavy Duty 3500 single wheeler on order. I made inquires about 5th wheel hitches with Reese and Drawtite and this is what they said: Reese - "Special brackets to mount the 5th wheel rails will be available in about 2 weeks" (... by Nov 12th maybe??)



Drawtite - "Parts are available for the 16K hitch (part# 6032). The hitch is mounted on rails (part# 6005). The rails come with 4 brackets, but only two of them will be used. Two new brackets are needed to mount hitch on 2003's. The part number for them is 58186. " The Drawtite person I spoke to said the brackets are so new that dealers probably will not have them listed in their parts book yet, but the brackets should be at their distribution centers right now.



I'm anxiouisly waiting to get my 5er hooked up to my new 3500 single wheeler Heavy Duty and get going! The wife and I (and our Yorkie) are gonna try full time RVing.

I'm going to order my3500 heavy duty soon with auto,4:10,qc. . I'd like to know how yours will tow. What type of rig do you have?

 

[ksele]

Re: Le me know how '03 3500 pulls rig.

Szumigalas wrote:



I'm going to order my3500 heavy duty soon with auto,4:10,qc. . I'd like to know how yours will tow. What type of rig do you have?



------------------------------------------------------------------------



Will be getting the same about end of November: 3500 Heavy Duty, Auto 4, 4:10 axle ratio, Quad Cab.

I currently pull a 31 foot Sunnybrook 5er (with one slide) with my 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT. I think I have been overweight at times... . That's my reason for getting the 3500 Single Wheeler Heavy Duty. I figure I will be going down the road with a GCWR of about 18,750 lbs. The 3500 HD with the 4:10 has a GCWR of 20,000 pounds. Will let you know how it goes when I get going.

 

[kbarlow]

Has anybody pulled a 5er with a 2003? If so which hitch are you using?



Thanks Ken

 

[Jim Smith]

Re: Re: Le me know how '03 3500 pulls rig.

Originally posted by ksele

Szumigalas wrote:



I'm going to order my3500 heavy duty soon with auto,4:10,qc. . I'd like to know how yours will tow. What type of rig do you have?



------------------------------------------------------------------------



Will be getting the same about end of November: 3500 Heavy Duty, Auto 4, 4:10 axle ratio, Quad Cab.

I currently pull a 31 foot Sunnybrook 5er (with one slide) with my 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT. I think I have been overweight at times... . That's my reason for getting the 3500 Single Wheeler Heavy Duty. I figure I will be going down the road with a GCWR of about 18,750 lbs. The 3500 HD with the 4:10 has a GCWR of 20,000 pounds. Will let you know how it goes when I get going.

thanks for the reply, it should tow very well. Sunnybrook , very nice coach.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I don't have a 5er but I do have a gooseneck trailer to haul my horses in. I used it today for the first time. The truck pulled it with 4 horses in it like it isn't even there. I think it might pull better than the Bombed 01. Seemed to run better tonight after the long pull. I got 13. 5 pulling 10,000+ lbs..... Can't ask for more than that... ... ... ... ... .