5er Hitch

[kbarlow]

Anybody installed one yet?

Thanks Ken

 

[Casey Balvert]

Still waiting for Pullrite to come up with the brackets for the one ton. They said it would be the end of the month at the earliest. Kiss the rest of my camping season goodbye. I should get the hitch installed just in time to put it into storage.



Casey

 

[jdiebold]

This subject is being covered on the towing and hauling thread. 5th wheel hitch on 2003 trucks

JD

 

[kbarlow]

Thanks Casey

I live close to Hijacker Hitches shop. Next week I'll talk to them and see how they are making out with the problem.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Response from Chrysler re drilling frame

I know that the fifth wheel hitch is being addressed in the Towing section but since this appears to be unique to the 2003 trucks I will put it here. This deals with the "drill or not to drill the frame" issue. I wrote Chrysler and followed up by phone. The lady on the phone said yes, it is ok to drill the frame and no it will not void the warrantee on the truck's frame as long as you follow the hitch manufacturer's recommended installation method. I asked for that in writing and this is what I got. Obviously not the same message as what I got on the phone. Soooo I emailed them back and asked them WHAT method of attaching the fifth wheel hitch to the frame of the new trucks DO they recommend since they recommend the installation of a fifth wheel hitch in their Trailer Towing booklet for all trailer over 10,000 pounds. I also asked them how THEY attached that hitch that pulling the horse trailer shown on their website. Not sure if they will give it to me straight or if they will continue the doubletalk. Keeping my fingers crossed. Here is the reply to my first inquiry:



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:

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

Customer Type: Owner

Category: Other

Sub Category:

Brief Description:

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

Can the frame on my 2003 3500 we 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... ... ... ... .

 

[Lucas]

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.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Lucas,



Great system. Unfortunately I already bought a Pullrite hitch. Just waiting for the brackets and base rails to be engineered. I don't see why other manufacturers can't use the same concept as Turnover. Looks like a great hitch.



Casey

 

[Lucas]

It is a sweet set up. And You are not stuck with anything in the bed if you need to haul something.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Pullrite hitch for 03 HD update

Chryslers Customer Service (if you want to call it that) will not tell me the recommended method nor will they tell me what method they used on the trucks they were using in the testing around the country or in their advertising materials. Only that you cannot drill or weld the frame. They are really not of much help and since they will not allow you to directly speak with their engineers, you end up with someone who is evasive and refuses to give you a straight answer. Maybe someone who has actually seen the test trucks can help out here.



There are now three hitch manufacturers 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