Hitch Install

[SandDemon]

I am planning on installing my new 5th hitch this weekend. Has anyone done their own install? The guys that did my other truck screwed it up bad so I don't trust anyone to do this one. But I also don't want to bite off more than I can chew. It's just a matter of centering the hitch over the axle and mounting the brackets, right?

Jeff

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2001. 5 ETH/DEE 2500 4x4 3. 54 lsd. 33' Weekend Warrior 5er and an army of toys to fill it!
'96 1500 360 3. 90 LSD 3" cat back no muffler! 110,000 and still eating chebbys for lunch!

 

[Okie-Go]

I am no expert but I think the hitch has to be slightly in front of the rear axle. How much I could not say. Although I had my hitch installed it did have directions in the box.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[roadranger]

Be carefull how FAR forward of axle you mount- a short bed will not clear the corner of the trailer in tight turns if too far forward.

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Deezul Doug-2001. 5 ETH/DEE,QC 4x4,3. 54 anti,
Tow/Camper,Westin SS Step Bars,relocated breather.

Tow #1 - 6x12 Interstate inclosed cargo trailer.
GVW 7500
Tow #2 - Starcraft camper trailer
GVW 4500

2001 Volvo S80T twin turbo

 

[JohnB]

Did mine, no big deal. I have a short bed, so the hitch centered on the axle. If yours is lwb then it will be forward of the axle. The instructions tell you where to install. You are looking for about 50" back from the cab,(40" on a swb) but the bed crossmembers will dictate where you end up.

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01' 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. Pillar mount boost & pyro, fuel presure guage, TST PM3 adjustable--2001 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver

 

[klenger]

JohnB:
How does the short box work with the Sunnybrook 27' 5er? I would like to get the same unit ... maybe next year. Any clearance problems? Did you get a sliding hitch?

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box/
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[JohnB]

klenger---combo works great. I did get a sliding hitch, but have not had the need to slide (turns the trailer sharp enough to look like the tires will come off the rims) but I'm glad to have it in case I get where I shouldn't be. I dropped the pin one set of holes and dropped the springs to the middle hole in the jack plates to get 6"+ of bed rail clearence. Pulls great and ride is good.

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01' 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. Pillar mount boost & pyro, fuel presure guage, TST PM3 adjustable--2001 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver

 

[SandDemon]

I had a SWB and never hit the cab with my 33', no slider hitch. I get real nervous sometimes though #ad
I end up paying more attention to the trailer than where I'm turning sometimes.

Thanks for the tips.

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2001. 5 ETH/DEE 2500 4x4 3. 54 lsd. 33' Weekend Warrior 5er and an army of toys to fill it!
'96 1500 360 3. 90 LSD 3" cat back no muffler! 110,000 and still eating chebbys for lunch!

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I installed my hitch myself. 4x4 SWB. Centered over axle, there were two holes in frame that matched up with L brackets. Had to drill other two holes.

I gritted my teeth when drilling through the floor, but what you gonna do?

I removed the plastic wheel well liners. Pick up some OEM plastic rivets at your dealer to replace the ones you destroy.

 

[Timinator]

Where did you get the rivet tool to fit the big plastic rivets?

 

[Runaway]

Sanddemon:

As stated above, No closer to the back of the CAB than 50" centered on 5th wheel plate for a long wheel base. Just installed mine last weekend, I am at 52" due to crossmembers in the box.

On a short wheel base trucks, we always went no closer than 44" to the back of the CAB centered on the fifthwheel plate. As long as a pin extension is used you shouldn't be in any danger of hitting the cab. If you choose to use a sliding fifth wheel plate, I suppose you could go closer, I don't have any experience with them.

No major problems with the install, though you may need a torch to heat up the L-brackets to bend them to fit properly. On LWB trucks the front shackles of the rear springs may be in the way. Mine were already pre-bent from the previous Truck.

 

[SandDemon]

It's in. Really wasn't to bad. I only messed up one hole

Hitched up and tested her out. Wow! I can keep up with traffic in town now. First long pull on Friday. Truck sounds much better with a load!!

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2001. 5 ETH/DEE 2500 4x4 3. 54 lsd. 33' Weekend Warrior 5er and an army of toys to fill it!
'96 1500 360 3. 90 LSD 3" cat back no muffler! 110,000 and still eating chebbys for lunch!