PullRite Super 5th - Not Too Impressed

[boonsur]

Opened the boxes last night to check out my new 20. 5K hitch. This is one solid unit, for sure. But the details leave much to be desired. I found the latch to be pretty rough (didn't de-burr the laser flash very well, if at all). Also, the mounting brackets were loose in the box. They banged around, and flaked off a great deal of the paint. So, after spending that kind of money, I now have to flap-wheel the pin area, and sandblast/re-paint the brackets (or, maybe I'll get them black-oxided). Fortunately, I have some time before I need the hitch.



I hope I just got a fluke, and they're not trying to sell these on reputation alone. Fit-and-finish not there. I wouldn't even buy a Cummins if this was how it were put together.

 

[Casey Balvert]

When I picked up my hitch it was well packaged and had no defects that I could see. While it didn't have a paint job fit for a Rolls Royce, it was certainly acceptable. You might want to speak to customer service at Pullrite about your concerns.



Casey

 

[Fireman]

Mine arrived seriously damaged (Thanks UPS), there wasn't much box left by the time I got it. The steel plates on the end of the cross arms was even bent ( how'd they do that ) and about half of the small parts were missing. I carried it back to the dealer I bought it from and told him that it was unacceptable. They called Pull Rite and had another shipped motor freight at my request, a few days later a had a new hitch in very good condition. It was packed very well. Seems those monkeys at "Brown" truly can munk up a steel ball with a rubber hammer.



Fireman

 

[Chipstien]

Brown for BullS**t. Ups lost my wifes software key worth $4500. Thank god for insurance.

 

[boonsur]

An update...

To let anyone know: Last week I tried their customer service.



As I mentioned, the brackets were loose in the box, with absolutely no wrap/foam between them. Thus, they banged constantly on each other, causing the powder coat to flake off. Pullrite's solution was to return them, but to be sure I make a claim with UPS, claiming internal damage. When they received the old kit, they would send me a new one.



I have a few problems with this. First, I doubt the next kit would be any better. Again, they maintained the damage was caused by UPS, not by their weak packaging methods. Implies that they don't intend to anything different in the future. So I'll probably end-up with the same junk.



Second, I'm mad that they would try to get UPS to cover the costs. I'm figuring they'll make a claim to UPS (actually they want ME to do the legwork), collect the insurance money, and re-sell the kit to someone else? You may not like UPS, but I think this is a wrongful claim.



So again, to state my position, I am very disappointed with Pullrite. After spending approx. $1,000, I now have to sand-blast the powder coating off, and come-up with my own treatment (sure wish I could deduct my labor & materials from the bill). I CANNOT RECOMMEND PULLRITE TO ANYONE. Their product may be solid, but the quality, fit, and finish is worse than any Chinese garbage I've ever seen. And their customer service doesn't seem to care.

 

[BillH]

boonsur, sorry to hear of your problems with pullrite as I am considering their 5er hitch also, Will be going to the Novi RV show tomorrow. , and hopefully a vendor will be there and have them on display.



Never heard of a customer having to file a claim for "concealed damage", only for external damage. The shipper is usually responsible for concealed damage.



Let us know how your install goes, as I plan on doing my own install if I get one.



BillH

 

[klenger]

I installed a PullRite Super 5th and SuperRails on my truck last weekend. The box was damaged when I got it, but no damage to the parts. I agree that the packaging is too light for 200 lbs of steel. Other problems I had: according to the directions, there was supposed to be a nut welding to the top of the rear SuperRail brackets. Mine did not have the nuts welded on, nor where there any extra nuts in the package. I had to go to Ace HW to get some. Installing the nuts was not a problem, so it may have been a design change, but got left out to the package. They also shorted me a cap-nut for the pin that the handle attaches to. A phone call to PullRite has one on the way. All-in-all, I am pleased with the product, but the packaging and instructions could be better. I guess the important thing is that it's a good hitch once installed. For a full report on the installation in my truck, see http://www.klenger.net/dodge/project-600.html



Ken

 

[Casey Balvert]

They offered to replace the damaged parts. I am not sure what else you want them to do. I thought my hitch was pretty well packaged but certainly not immune to careless handling. For what it is worth, I was happy as have others that I know that own a Pullrite. Why not send it back to the dealer and buy another brand if you are still unhappy?



A friend of mine just received his Superglide this week for his new truck and said it was in pristine condition after I relay your problem to him.



Casey

 

[Fireman]

Boonsur,

I may have missed it but did you order the hitch locally or over the internet? I ordered mine locally (and got a good price) so when I saw the extent of the damage I gathered up the pieces and returned it to the dealer, and it was the dealer who had to file a claim for the damages. A whole new unit was shipped to me right away. I'll admit that the packaging could have been better, but when properly handled (by the shipper) everything arrived intact and undamaged. These units are really to heavy to be shipped UPS, that is why they arrive looking as if they passed through a war zone. Motor freight would be a better choice for shipping.

I also have an issue with the powder coating on the brackets. On the first set I had the powder coat was flaking off pretty baddly after a couple of years. I attribute this to the prep. On my 3gen I got the first set of brackets released, and in order to get them right away I agreed to accept them unpainted. I painted them myself, and after a year the finish is holding up well.

You could have had the same problems with any other brand. I know I haven't seen any other brand with a better finish. I know that it's been a pain in the butt, but I believe that the service from the hitch will overcome the anguish... . eventually

Fireman

 

[Fireman]

Casey,

The superglide is substancally larger and heavier than the 15. 5 or the 20. 5 and mine was packaged much better than the 15. 5 I got. The packaging on the 15. 5 was adequate, but marginal.

Fireman

 

[DLBurns]

Paint???

I have the 15. 5k super fifth and love it

The paint does suck though I'll just have it powder coated when it gets to bad.