5th Wheel hitch install

[Dreamer]

I've read that it's best not to drill the frame of your truck for a hitch mount but the dealer I'm talking to says they drill 99% of them and there are no warranty issues. What is the preferred method ?

 

[Bob V]

There are plenty of no drill kits out there and I would not weld or drill on a 3rd or 4th gen (with some exceptions) If you go to the http://m.dodge.com/bodybuilder/ it will have the directions for where and how to drill. But why drill if you don't have to. If a Dealer told me there was "no problems" with drilling the frame I would find another dealer because there are problems! Lets face it, you don't know who is going to install you kit once it goes into the shop, and a LOT of hacks call themselves mechanics.

Just my opinion, you can do whatever you want.

From the body builder site for 2005 ram

Holes

Holes are not to be drilled in the top or bottom of the

frame rails. Holes to mount out-riggers, brackets, and

supports must be drilled in the web (vertical sides) of the

frame rail with the following restrictions:

1. Hole diameter should not exceed 20 mm (0. 75 in. ).

2. Material between edge of hole and top or bottom of the

frame rail must not be less than 40 mm (1. 60 in. ).

3. The minimum edge distance between any two (2)

holes must be larger than twice the diameter of the

larger hole.

4. Any thru-fastener that torques down on both external

surfaces of the rail must use an internal spacer to

prevent crushing the rail tube.

5. All holes should be drilled in the frame using

appropriate drilling practice and safety precautions.

6. Avoid drilling holes near the fuel tank, fuel and brake

lines and other lines and wires to avoid damage to

them.

 

[Grizzly]

When I purchased my (new) 05 3500 DRW, I elected to install a Super 5th PullRite Hitch. No drill holes, no welding. Click Here



It is a lot of work. You need to fish bolt brackets through both sides of the frame. It's a great hitch and well worth the work. You can download installation instructions before hand to study what you would be up against.



Don't let anyone talk you into drilling holes or weld on that frame.



george

 

[EricBu12]

x2 for the Super 5th. . I have this and the brackets for the hitch bolt right on. . I have the one where bars sit on vertical pins that go through the bed. this type of mount is called Super Rails and the super Brackets. . so when you take off the hitch, you are left with a clean bed as you have no rails bolted to the bed.

http://www.pullrite.com/super5_1200.htm

http://www.pullrite.com/super5_mountingkits.htm

 

[RDeFayette]

this is what I use.

Best of both worlds.

Gooseneck and 5th wheel.

No drill (other than the hole in bed sheetmetal).

Easy installation.

Great hitch.

http://www.turnoverball.com/products/rvhitch/companion-5th-wheel-hitch

 

[Bob V]

I had the no drill kit bracket kit with a Reese 20,000 hitch in my 2005 for a few tears then I updated to the B&W W/ companion hitch. The only thing I didn't like about the B&W companion is that it takes a lot more time to R&R than the standard rail type 5th wheel hitch. But the un-obstructed bed when the hitch is removed is worth it. Like I said, there is a lot of options out there, and there are a lot of good buys on craigslist. I posted a set of Reese no drill brackets with rails for a 2003 -2011 ram for $150 on another post. I sold the ones off my 2005 for under $100.

 

[Grizzly]

x2 for the Super 5th. . I have this and the brackets for the hitch bolt right on. . I have the one where bars sit on vertical pins that go through the bed. this type of mount is called Super Rails and the super Brackets. . so when you take off the hitch, you are left with a clean bed as you have no rails bolted to the bed.



http://www.pullrite.com/super5_1200.htm



http://www.pullrite.com/super5_mountingkits.htm

Eric, that's exactly what I have. Just 4 removable 1-1/4" round pins through the bed. When you remove the rails and the 4 pins all you have is 4, 1-3/8" holes in the bed. This is very important for me because I do haul lumber in my truck.



The PullRite may be the best hitch in the industry because of it's design concept. The horseshoe shaped hitch actualy wraps itself around the 5th wheel pin. Watch video under, " See video to right or click here to view larger video (wmv)".



george

 

[RVTRKN]

Its weird that when I bought my 04. 5 new in 2004, the dealer recommended a certified welder to weld my brackets on, and a retail trailer supply house wanted to drill in which both methods would void the frame warranty. But I was patient, and found a set of clamp on brackets, that clamped onto the frame. I would not drill or weld on the hydro formed frame.