5th wheel hitch short bed 3rd gen

[XJSuperman]

Ok. I recently began doing some hotshotting with my '04 short bed 3500 (srw of coure).



I will not have a need for a slider hitch with the trailer I use... and may never need the hitch for anything other than work.



So I'm looking for a good relatively inexpensive 5th wheel hitch that I could install myself or with some help.



I've looked at reese, the B&W turnover (not sure if that works for a 5th wheel???), and many others. Seems the prices go from $350-500 for the type of hitch I need.



So any suggestions... or special things I need to be aware of? I know we aren't supposed to weld or drill our frames (3rd gen) and I have taken that into consideration. So do I get a special mounting system or just the 'rails' they sell for the dodges?



Thanks in advance.

 

[mberry]

If it were me I would go with the B&W with their 5th wheel adapter. That way you could run either a GN or 5th wheel with a few minutes time and simple hand tools for the changeover. I think the total cost is around $1K for everything minus installation. Most 3rd Gen Dodge GN and 5th wheel hitches have a bolt on hitch design so welding is not an issue. Hope this helps.

 

[KBalzuweit]

What are you hauling?? If you are doing rv's you need a slider hitch. Thats going to cost you double what you have so far. Its worth the though, cheaper than a smashed trailer or back of the cab.

 

[XJSuperman]

No RV's. When I would have a 5th wheel trailer it would be a 'gooseneck' setup BUT instead of the ball coupler it has the setup (not sure what it's called) for use with a 5th wheel hitch instead of a gooseneck. So really it's just a flat deck trailer... there's nothing to hit the truck.

I'm hauling industrial generators, fuel tanks, and other trailers. (the cool thing is all the generators I've pulled so far are eithe 5. 9 or 8. 3 cummins powered. )

 

[KBalzuweit]

Can you make a living doing that in FL, if so sign me up. If it was my truck I would put in a set of Husky fifth wheel rails and then use a there gooseneck that works with the rails. That will keep the cost down and then if you ever want to pull an rv just buy the slider 5th. Karl

 

[XJSuperman]

I'm trying to make this the majority of my income. And so far most of my trips have been in Florida... but I just now got back from Atlanta. Seems they mostly cover Florida, gulf coast (rarely past Mobile) and up to Atlanta. Most of my trips have been to Miami and back.



So far it's just supplemental for me. I run my own business (I'm a licensed massage therapist) but I just took a major hit to where I cannot make money billing Blue Cross/Blue shield insurance any more. This was my bread an butter and my monthly income was cut by 30% because they changed fee tables late this year for certain providers. Sounds like gibberish I know but if you understand insurances you know what I mean here.



I don't feel comfortable divulging how much I make (and it actually varies with each trip and load) but to put it in perspective... . I 'worked' 12 hours today. My ex-wife is a pharmacist (with a doctorate deg) and I made more today than she did for the same amount of hours.





I'll have to see how the hitch is set up in their truck (they only have 1 with the setup for it) and see if it's able to be moved between rigs. If so... that may be the ticket.

 

[J&LRam]

superman

my brakets for my 5th wheel hitch were welded 54000 miles cago. I pull 11200 lb 5er. My neighbor has a '03 3500 with 185000 miles he hotshots with that the brakets were welded for his GN/5er hitch. See TSB 13-001-03 for drilling/welding on the new frames... ... ... . JIM

 

[jwduke]

Check out a Hijacker hitch. They are quite WELL built.

 

[JHardwick]

3rd gen frames are very readily welded, and always have been.

 

[XJSuperman]

3rd gen frames are very readily welded, and always have been.

Then why is it that since I've been a member here (about 18 months or so) every time I read a post on welding (and/or drilling) to the 3rd gen frames it's always talked abut warranty voiding and other possible issues? I realize not to believe everything I read BUT that's an aweful lot of people with similar info. I just don't want to screw something up as I'm new to all this.

 

[Bertram65]

Then why is it that since I've been a member here (about 18 months or so) every time I read a post on welding (and/or drilling) to the 3rd gen frames it's always talked abut warranty voiding and other possible issues? I realize not to believe everything I read BUT that's an aweful lot of people with similar info. I just don't want to screw something up as I'm new to all this.

A lot of poeple are wrong and keep posting wrong information, as long as you follow the tsb guildlines for welding and drilling from Dodge on the 3rd gen frames you will not have any problems.

 

[KSears]

I have the B&W turnover hitch with fifh wheel adapter and tow my 14000 lb toy hauler with no problem, it is about a $1000 for both parts, the good thing when its not needed you have no obstructions in the bed of the truck ( rails etc. ) also is a relatively easy install.

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'05 '3500 srw 4x4, 6 speed with 4:10 gearing, no mods yet mechanically