5er hitch on new 2003 trucks?

[Fireman]

Ken,



A couple of folks appeared to be getting a little too stressed. I just wanted to remind them of past problems and how they were eventually solved by TDR members or vendors and not DC.



You could ditch your new truck and find something else, but it would only come with a new set of problems. This will not be the first time (or the last) that DC has produced something new that was less than perfect, but individuals took it upon themselves to solve these problems for themselves and others. That is the beauty of this org. and this site. I wanted one of the new trucks, so I took a chance and bought one. I really like this truck, and I'm not ready to throw in the towel and give up on it because of one little problem and I'm certainly not going to let it drive me nuts because it can't be fixed right now.



Step back, slow down, and things will have a more harmonious outcome.

Fireman

 

[RHoblitt]

After reading all the letters i had to write. Most of you are correct in not wanting to drill or weld the frame. These frames are tempered after they are made and drilling can cause a stress fracture and welding will cause a hard spot that most likely will crack out. I retired after over thirty years working on trucks (class 8) and lots of frame work. Heat treated metal should not be drilled or welded. I would hold out for a clamp type or bolt on system. I was getting ready to order a 03 dually to replace my 98 dually but will keep the old one until DC gets it together. Thanks to all for a great web site with lots of info. Richard

 

[kbarlow]

Originally posted by RHoblitt

I would hold out for a clamp type or bolt on system... ... ... ... until DC gets it together. Richard

Richard,



You are absolutely right. The biggest problem is getting DC to come to the dance.



The hitch manufacturer I have been working with is doing a good job trying to get the clamps to fit but as he said another 1/2 inch would of made a big difference.



One of the fixes we talked about weeks ago were bolts with a sleeve or compression fitting to anchor the rails for the hitch. I believe that will be one of the fixes. But to get this moving forward we need some input from DC.



Any of you good ole boys know how to get DC off their can?



By the way I am very impressed with everything else about the truck, except of course the wimpy headlights and horn.



Ken

 

[Casey Balvert]

Pullrite hitch for 03 HD update

I received an update from Pullrite yesterday. They are committed to a completely drill free application for their hitches. It may mean some redesign of the base rails but I think they will do it eventually. And given the conflicting information from various folks about hydroformed frames, a no drill install remains my first choice. I can afford to wait until March since the trailer is now in storage. That unfortunately does not help those who need a hitch now.



I still maintain that DC has a responsibility to communicate with the buyers of their products when issues like this arise. A little honesty goes a long way, even if it hurts a little. Why can't they admit that fifth wheel towing was the last thing on their minds when they designed the frame?



Cheers, Casey

 

[Casey Balvert]

A further update from Pullrite. The 16K Superglide brackets are available for both the 2500 and 3500 series trucks with the short beds. It is bracket kit #3319 and does NOT require drilling. Oo. Just an FYI for those that need that sliding hitch. You can get more info on the hitch at www.pullrite.com



They are also very close on a number of other applications. The tough one apparently is the 2WD 3500 with a non sliding hitch. They sounded pretty confident that they will eventually have all applications covered.



Cheers,



Casey

 

[Fireman]

That's great news ! Thanks Casey.

Fireman

 

[Casey Balvert]

The hitch saga continues and I think I will write a book.



I received a call from Chrysler Customer Service today in response to my last email. The gentleman advised me that Chrysler does not recommend drilling the frame. (Surprise) Advised me that it was the customer's responsibility to insure an installation that was not going to damage the frame. I asked for guidelines. He repeated his previous statement and advised that DC does not provide guidelines. I tried to interject something about DC responsibility to their customers but if fell on deaf ears. I asked if drilling the new hydroformed frame was any more likely to cause damage than drilling the old frame. He repeated the DC does not provide guidelines for installing hitches. I expressed politely my frustration (honest) and again stated that DC insists on my using a fifth wheel hitch attached to the frame and they should either sell a hitch or provide some information so that customers do not damage their trucks. I don't think he heard me. I insisted that he respond to my questions in writing by email. He did say that Hidden Hitch produced a hitch for the new trucks that did NOT require drilling.



So a phone call to Hidden Hitch. Guess what? The do drill the frame on the Dodge Heavy Duty application. I spoke to the tech people. They are as frustrated as I am. They did install a hitch in one of DC's test trucks and it was DRILLED. They don't know what happened to the test truck but they were not aware of any problems as a result of drilling. However it is highly unlikely the DC would have admitted a problem even if there was one. That would really kill their truck sales.



And while DC may claim to "offer technical information and recommendations which are of assistance to outside companies" I have not spoken to a hitch maker yet that has received that support.



I am trying to keep a positive attitude about all of this. I gotta tell you, that I really think that DC's customers deserve better treatment than this. Just my two cents worth.



Cheers, Casey





Here is the email response from DC following today's phone conversation. FWIW:





"Dear Mr. Balvert:



We have received your e-mail dated November 24, 2002. This e-mail is

further to our telephone conversation of November 28.



DaimlerChrysler Canada is grateful for your purchase of a 2003 Dodge

Ram 3500 Quad Cab pickup, and we regret any uncertainty you are

experiencing regarding installation of a fifth-wheel hitch. Available

information indicates that Hidden Hitch currently manufactures a fifth-wheel

hitch which, by being clamped to the frame rather than bolted, observes

DaimlerChrysler's recommendation not to drill or weld to the frame. Other

hitch manufacturers may be working on similar products.



As the manufacturer of your vehicle, our focus is to provide support

for our products in their factory configuration only. As with any

aftermarket modification, installation of a fifth-wheel hitch manufactured by

an independent company is the prerogative of the vehicle owner and is

not a supported operation by DaimlerChrysler. While DaimlerChrysler may

offer technical information and recommendations which are of assistance

to outside companies whose products enhance the usability of our

vehicles, DaimlerChrysler is not responsible for the results of such

modifications.



Thank you for the opportunity to review this matter with you. "

 

[ksele]

Guess I now become and ex Ram owner

Well,... after putting up with the same frustrations everybody else has been dealing with, I cancelled my order for a new 2003 and got my deposit back. My Dodge dealer was quite upset when he learned about the hitch issue we've been dealing with. When presented with the facts, he said "... they (D/C) really dropped the ball on this one!" I didn't want to do it,... but now I'm forced to check out the Ford Powerstroke and Chevy Duramax. Bottom line... I'm not going to put a 5th wheel hitch on a 2003 Dodge unless I have complete faith in the hitch and the way it's mounted. I'll be full-timing with my 5th wheel starting in a couple of weeks. I'm sure you all would agree... you gotta have complete confidence in your towing setup when you're living on the road and piling up lots of miles. I wish all you folks the best of luck with your efforts to get your hitch issues straightened out.

P. S. Loved my '99 2500 Ram 4x4 24 valve Cummins. They're still great vehicles!

 

[dan.poitras]

I have been sitting back and reading these posts and I must reply. I don't see what the big deal is on this 03, 5th wheel issue.

DC is welding their spring brackets, etc and drilling (punching their frames). As long as one side of the frame side member is drilled and bolts are fished in with the supplied hardware their is no problem. Note: do not any circumstance drill frame flanges.

Don't expect D. C. to recommend anything in the way of hitch installations as they will let the hitch manufacturers and installers take the heat on liabilities. I have been installing hitches on tractors, pickups,etc for over 30 years with no problems whatsoever. This is not rocket science. I know we spent a lot of money on our vehicles but lets not anylize this to death. We bomb and accessorize and this is up to us. Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[DIESELMAN]

This thread is much like the one in 3G Forum... So I am probably repeating what/how. .



Dodge is no different than Ford and Chevy in that they also do not provide specific hitch recommendations beyond products that they offer for sale and for any modifications do they not specifically say do not drill the frame or cross members and flanges?



What is wrong with an aftermarket company, for any product they wish to sell, stepping up to the plate and designing a new product integrated and designed to fill the need for which it is needed and taking the heat for whatever it is they design and sell? Drilled, welded or clamped?



I trust that companies like PullRight will design and stand behind a product that is much better than the OE manufacturer ever could. If DC or any manufacturer did it right in the first place, then why BOMB it?



I personally don't want the manufacturers one size fits all compromised solutions to every need, I want the PullRright latch version, not the U-Haul special, keep the lawyers happy, we think you only need to tow this much version.



DC owed me a strong, reliable, durable, value for the dollar truck, and to stand behind what THEY built, aftermarket product customer service is a bonus and I don't really expect it, and they don't want to be anyone else's warranty station.



DC or any manufacturer is not in the business of providing engineering oversight for some 20,000 aftermarket equipment providers, one misspoken word and they are responsible.



If you drill and bolt and it breaks, too bad, so sad, fix it and deal with it, it's nobody's fault but your own. DC gave you savy engineering advice, don't drill. You are your own warranty station. No one made you do it.



They should tell you however that a hydroformed frame is a stressed engineered structure and that changes to that structure should be very carefully thought out. Just Keep in mind, Dodge did not and has not said "Do Not drill the frame", they said, "We do not recommend drilling the frame".



They didn't say you can't, they won't come take your truck away from you, and they won't void your warranty. They just won't cover any damage that occurs aftermarket. Same for any mod.



Me, I don't need my 5ver hitch till spring, good for me, and I'll wait for PullRight, I like the latch. If it requires drilling and welding at that time, I'll let the shavings and sparks fly.



But... I do agree if they (DC) had their collective heads out of their arses they would be selling a top dollar hitch or have mounting pads on the frame, tapped and everything, even the holes in the bed. I'd've paid more for it. Y'all would've too I'm sure. (Hello dodge, are you listening??) I want code BFH right there behind HO.



Blah Blah Blah...

 

[Casey Balvert]

Everyone's expectations are different; that's what makes the world go round. Me? My expectations of DC after spending 40 grand on one of their products obviously tends to be higher than most other people on this list. That's life.