No Drill Mount For 5th Wheel Hitch - 2500HD

[JimBob24]

I have seen several questions about installing fifth wheel mounting rails and whether it is safe to drill in the frames of the '03-'04 RAM's. Reese makes a no-drill frame mounted bracket for the 2500HD truck WITHOUT overload springs which mounts to the frame rail using a backing plate on the opposite side of the rail. The Reese part number is 50040. I just had one installed on my 04. 5 2500 for my Reese 15K. Since I have a short bed truck I also need to add the slider. The only thing I did not like about this kit is that it positions the kingpin of the hitch about 2 inches forward of the rear axle. Reese says this is O. K. (With the standard brackets they recommend centering the kingpin directly over the rear axle). With a short bed truck I need all the room I can get. There is no way to reposition the bracket as it is notched and shaped to fit exactly one location on the frame. I have seen these brackets as low as $169. 00 + shipping online.

 

[mgonske]

I'm not sure I follow the question. If you're talking about having the pin 2" forward of the axle with the slider, that's fine for maneuvering purposes, since the slide action will move you back behind it for tight turns.



If what you're concerned about is conserving bed space for other loads, you might just appreciate the 2" anyway. You should have seen me a year ago loading tools into the floor of the cab in front of the passenger seat, trying to redistribute weight onto the front axle. My pin is directly over the rear axle in the travel position--I can redistribute weight from trailer axles to drive axle by moving the load in the trailer, but moving it into the truck (and forward) is the only way to get it onto the steer axle.

 

[JimBob24]

Don't even have the slider yet. It is on the way. The kingpin on my Reese 15K with the standard fixed base is 2" forward of the rear axle, which also means it is 2" closer to the back of the cab too. I know 2" does not sound like much, but I measured and that puts the distance of the center of the kingpin about 35" from the rear of the cab. I measured a friend's '03 Z71 SB and he had about 5" more distance to the back of his cab than I did. (that and the Allison is all he got!) That's a lot of difference and he also uses a slider.



The Reese slider is supposed to move everything back about 11" for low speed maneuvering, and I have a 13" box pin extension on the trailer. That sounds like plenty to me.



_____________________

Jim Robertson - Dahlonega, GA



04. 5 Bright Silver Q. C. SB 4X4 SLT; Auto; 3. 73; Lund Running Boards; Bushwacker Street Flares; Line-X; More to come!

 

[mgonske]

2" forward of the axle without a slider would definitely require close attention. I'm not sure what the measurement was on my '98, but I got by fine without a slider--just paid attention when backing. The trouble with the 3Gs is that the axle-to-cab measurement is three inches shorter than the 2Gs--that's why I went to a slider on the new one.

 

[RRoton]

Thats the same mounting brackets I used. I used the Reese 16K slider hitsh.

Odered everything from etrailer.com

 

[Rocky in KC]

hitch moved forward--how much??

going to be setting up a new 2005 3500 drw, with 8ft bed soon, I have always put the pin right over the rear axel--but have intertained the thought of moving it forward some (friends say yes??)but what do they know??---can I get any REAL life experiance in this matter. thanks, R

 

[Casey Balvert]

On a long bed the pin should be 2 to 4 inches forward of the rear axle centerline. The pin should never be behind the axle. My real world opinion.

 

[Rocky in KC]

thanks for the reply, have 3/4 ton F250 (95) and pin is over the axel--our fiver is 12,000#---going to get me that NEW 2005 DODGE 3500 DRW 4x4--to take us in to retirement! thanks, Rocky

 

[tae73]

I am using a turnover ball and the companion hitch, and have a short bed. The center of the pin is forward of the axle by 2 or 3 inches. My coachmen is a wide body camper 102". I have no problems backing or turning the truck, but I do always watch it when i turn. I can almost jack knife the truck into the camper. I use to use a resee slider and still have it if you are by chance looking for a used one? I can sell it to ya its a 15k hitch and slider and the bar that go ontop of the bed to attach too.

 

[Rocky in KC]

thanks for the info, and the offer--but we have a Reese 18k double rocker, have had it for sometime--hope it is the last one I have to buy! Rocky

 

[ctdodgeram]

I am using a turnover ball and the companion hitch, and have a short bed. The center of the pin is forward of the axle by 2 or 3 inches. My coachmen is a wide body camper 102". I have no problems backing or turning the truck, but I do always watch it when i turn. I can almost jack knife the truck into the camper. I use to use a resee slider and still have it if you are by chance looking for a used one? I can sell it to ya its a 15k hitch and slider and the bar that go ontop of the bed to attach too.

What are you trying to get for it? Just bought a 2003 SB 3500 SRW with the overload springs. Will it fit? Is it complete? Why did you go to your other style hitch?



Can't remember if yours is a 2500 or 3500.