Fifth Wheel Hitch

[RagingCajun]

My new truck will arrive Tuesday and was wondering if any one has install a fifth wheel hitch yet in there 03'. If so any ideas?

 

[JThiessen]

Go look at the towing forum..

There's lots of posts in the Towing/hauling forum on 5'er hitches in the 03's. Look for posts on a particular hitch (cant remember the name - maybe Pull Rite?) that doesnt require welding or drilling - sounds like the best option for our trucks now.

 

[RMcCulloch]

Reese also has a "kit" for the '03s that doesn't need drilling/welding.

 

[Fireman]

PullRite

They have supurb hitches with several rail options, all of which require NO drilling or welding. You can also locate a dealer on their web site. I have had two of their 5w hitches and they are first class units. I personally wouldn't consider anything else.

My current hitch is a 15. 5K Super Fifth with Super Rails. The Super Rails cost more but are removable (takes 2-3 min) and leaves an unobstructed bed.

Fireman

 

[Casey Balvert]

I installed a 25. 5 Pullrite Superfifth and couldn't be happier with it. It was slight overkill and in hindsight would have been fine with the 20. 5. They make a first class bullet proof product. Sort of like buying a Cummins for your Dodge.



Casey

 

[Dean Upson]

As do Fireman and Casey, I heartily recommend the PullRite. I have the 20. 5K SuperFifth and am very happy with it. I had a Reese previously. I also like my Prodigy trailer brake and the Jacobs exhaust brake (standard transmission only at this point). Casey and Fireman also have these accessories, too. Good luck with your new truck.



Dean

 

[machterhof]

I wanted the PullRite also. Unfortunately I have a 2wd 1 ton. The superrails will NOT fit the 2wd 1 ton. Talked to the nice folks at PullRite and asked them if they were working on a system for the 2wd and they said no. The reason given is that the helper springs are in the way of the brackets.



Therefore, if you have a 2wd 1 ton and want the superrails, it ain't happening.



For about the same money I went with the TurnOver Ball with the Companion 5th. You get the 5th and a goose neck in the same package. The goose neck is rated at #30,000 and the companion is rated at #18,000.



If you are getting a 2500 or a 4x4 1 ton, I'd say go for the PullRite.

 

[Photoman]

I have an RBL "Lil Rocker" that I had welded to the frame. Dodge has retreated from their position of no welding and their engineering bulletin sent to my RV dealer stated the following:



"Prior to welding, the following must be done:



1. Avoid welding near the fuel tank (duh), fuel and brake lines or other components that may be damaged by the heat of welding. if it is necessary to weld near these areas, use wet cloths to cover these components. If it is necessary to remove the fel tank, lines or other componetns, do it in accordance with applicableservice manual procedure;



2. Components near the welding area which could be damaged by excessive heat must be removed or adequately shielded;



3. Disconnect the batteries;



4. Precautionary measures should be used to prevent electrical system components or wiring damages.



5. Frame e-coating must be removed from the welding and sorrounding area.



Use proper welding techniques to avoid stress risers that may adversely affect frame performance. "



Please note that this came from Dodge Truck Engineering Bulletin No. 21. There are also a long list of procedures for drilling. You may want to get a copy of the bulletin from your Dodge Dealer to take to your installer. Bottom line, find a good hitch and installer and make sure they follow the bulletin guidelines. My Lil Rocker is great as it was fairly inexpensive, handles up to 15K and is easy to take in and out (bad back) when I want to haul bark dust, dump loads, etc. Just a couple of flat rails left when you take it out which I cover with a couple of pieces of plywood when hauling stuff. Best of luck with your install.

 

[mgonske]

Me Too!

Originally posted by Dean Upson

As do Fireman and Casey, I heartily recommend the PullRite. I have the 20. 5K SuperFifth and am very happy with it. I had a Reese previously. I also like my Prodigy trailer brake and the Jacobs exhaust brake (standard transmission only at this point). Casey and Fireman also have these accessories, too. Good luck with your new truck.



Dean

PullRite: Check (16K SuperGlide)

Prodigy: Check

Jacobs: Check



Uh, yeah... whatever those guys said

 

[Eric_77]

I have never tried the Prodigy controller, was looking at having one installed when I stumbled across the BrakeSmart controller. The best brake controller I have seen bar none. It has a micro pressure switch and the trailer brakes are the most linear stopping of anything I have ever driven or ridden in.

 

[jimnance]

I have a Draw Tite 16K and have been happy with it. Most manufacturers now have kits to fit the '03 Dodge.



The key thing is to be sure that the installer complies with installation instructions for the special frame now used on the Dodge. Briefly, you do not want to weld to the frame. Also, if you drill you must either install a spacer between the two sides of the frame, or you must drill only one side of the frame and snake the bolt up through the frame to the hole. Also, drilling should not be done near the top or bottom edge of the frame. The Dodge instructions are a little more specific than this, but a good hitch shop will understand what needs to be done to avoid compromising frame strength.



I personally like the drilled frame approach as it's a proven approach. I haven't any experience with the "no drill" hitches so I can't really comment on them.

 

[Steve M]

The tires are rarely cool on our 5th wheel that we tow with our Reese 15k bolted to the frame of our '03. I saved the hitch from my '01. 5 that I saved from my '98. I use new hardware when I move it from one truck to another. It's drilled through one rib only on the '03 frame.