5th wheel hitch for Megacab?

[Jeepinjason]

Hello all, I have a 2006 2500 SRW Megacab and will be buying my first 5th wheel very soon. I have a ton of experience towing a TT, but could certainly use a bit of help from someone with experience with a 5th wheel hitch on a Megacab. I was sold on the Reese Signature Series as it is competely removable, but now they are saying that the rail kits that they were selling for the short cabs are not working with the Megacab without a lot of modifications to the exhaust and other components. I know I need a sliding hitch and would appreciate any comments from anyone that has a set up already.



Thanks,

Jason

 

[E2360]

I use a reese slider. Took it off of my 2003 2500QC and had it put on my 06, 3500 Mega. They used all the same rails, just new bolts and brackets. Install guy said "it was a pain but all dodges are a pain" I was there when they did the install. removed the rear wheels and undid one of the shocks but I do not recall any issues with the exhaust.

 

[VZarich]

I purchased and installed a 16k Pullrite superglide. The install went smooth and the 5th wheel and underbed mounting system are well engineered and well constructed. I researched all the hitches available before purchasing and found that the people at Pullrite were helpfull and knowledgeable. With the potential clearance problems you are going to have due to your short box a Pullrite auto sliding hitch will be cheaper than making a mistake when backing your trailer and damaging your truck and trailer. Having use of your bed when not pulling your 5th wheel because of the fully removeable rails and hitch make a lot of sense to me. Kirby RV offers some very competative pricing on these products.

 

[StricklandJ]

I have the same truck as you. I had a 26k Pulrite Superslide, prodigy brake controller and trailer connector in the bed installed for about $3000. 00.



A friend of mine went with a manual slider on a quad cab short bed (2005) and dented his cab and trailer the fifth time out camping. He thought he could make the turn in the camp ground but couldn't. :{



Also beware of what you put in your bed behind your sliding hitch. My friend also bent up his tail gate with firewood behind the hitch when the hitch slide back in a turn. New tailgate... $2000. 00! :{



I am happy with my Superslide, no getting out in the rain and no worry about forgetting to manually slide hitch.

 

[HBellmyer]

I also went with the Pull Rite. Nice worry free hitch. As for the connector in your bed go to www.klenger.net and there they have all the pn's to fabricate a plug in extension 7 pin harness to mount in the bed. I made one and it worked out real nice.

 

[SMasters]

Hello all, I have a 2006 2500 SRW Megacab and will be buying my first 5th wheel very soon. I have a ton of experience towing a TT, but could certainly use a bit of help from someone with experience with a 5th wheel hitch on a Megacab. I was sold on the Reese Signature Series as it is competely removable, but now they are saying that the rail kits that they were selling for the short cabs are not working with the Megacab without a lot of modifications to the exhaust and other components. I know I need a sliding hitch and would appreciate any comments from anyone that has a set up already.



Thanks,

Jason

Draw-Tite is in the process of manufacturing the rail kit for the Signature Series for the Megacab. It is part number 30074. I have been checking on the status since last June. They are making progress because this time they had an actual part number. The tech support guy said it would be 2 to 4 weeks before it would be at the distribution center for the dealers to order.

 

[Jeepinjason]

I looked at the Pullrite and if I towed more I would might be able to justify the 2k more in cost. I know that it is automatic, but unless I can find one for under 3k I think I am leaning towards the Signature Series, which while not automatic also leaves a clean bed.



Thank you for all of the advice so far.



SMasters, I am in St. Peters, MO. Keep in touch on that part number.

 

[SMasters]

Will do. I had an 03 2500 QC with the Signature Series hitch. I sold the 03 and bought the 07 3500 Megacab. I am hoping the rail kit will be available by the end of the month. Our first pull with the 5th wheel isn't until March so I have a little time.

 

[CumminsBu]

My Dad bought a Pullrite 16K Superglide for his Mega Cab used for $600. 00, at a RV consignment place. The hitch had little use and the mounts for an 2003 Dodge short bed. Look at some consignment places.

 

[Jeepinjason]

That is a great deal, I will look around, but I am not sure of many RV places like that around here.

 

[SMasters]

I just checked the Draw-Tite website and they now show the under bed rail kit for the Signature Series 5th wheel hitch for the Megacab. The part number is 30074. I guess it is time to call the hitch dealer and get one ordered.

 

[Jeepinjason]

Let me know what they say. I just got back from the RV show and will be ordering one within a few weeks.

 

[SMasters]

I ordered the Signature Series rail kit for the Megacab today. I am glad I was sitting down when they told me the price. The rail kit for my 03 was $120. 00. The rail kit for the 07 Megacab is $321. 00.

 

[staarma]

Go here for a plug and play 7 pin harness for your bed. I put one on Dad's 06 and it was about a 5 minute job. It's part number 20111_30137 http://www.hitchcorner.com/5th_wheel_wiring.htm

 

[Jeepinjason]

SMasters was that installed?



Also, I found this plug. Looks similar and is less expensive...



http://www.etrailer.com/p-V30137.htm

 

[SMasters]

Jeepinjason, no that was just the underrail bracket. It will be $150. 00 to install.

 

[Jeepinjason]

Thanks, let me know what the total cost ends up being and if they do a good job. It would be worth driving down there and getting it done from a place that I knew would do a good job.

 

[SMasters]

It is going to be awhile. The dealer called me and said they are on back order. The rail kit should be shipped in 3 or 4 weeks. My guess is Draw-tite hasn't actually started manufacturing them yet.

 

[WayneTurner]

I have a pullrite and would not use anything but an autoslide.

Just have to pull in to a fuel stop make a tight turn once crimp the cab

and it just paid for the hitch.



Hijacker now has an autoslide. No idea of pricing.

check hijacker.com

 

[ACerf]

I have a B&W hitch which I feel is the best built hitch on the market. And the most versatiel. If I were going with a short bed truck, I would go with the B&W hitch and a 5th Airborne sliding pin box. It not only gives you a 95 degree turning radius, it takes away the rough trailer ride. I would also opt for some Trail-air Egua-Flex egualizers that also takes out trailer rough riding!

And no, I don't work for any of these companies. I am just a well informed consumer! With a lot of RV experience.