Rear Receiver Removal

[Wertles]

Definitely got myself in over my head tonight. How do you get the receiver off? All bolts are out, bumper is off. Everything is loose. I cut the middle portion of the receiver off and the brackets are loose. I cut one of the tubes in half inbetween the brackets and all wiggles but I can't get them to wiggle out. What am I missing? I did a quick search but nothing came up and I can't be the first one to screw this up. The new Reunel bumper came in today (no directions at all, not even torque spects for the new bolts) and since there's only six or eight bolts to put it back in I figured the old should pop right out like every other one I've installed/removed but no. What do I do next?



Edit: Just tried different search words and it looks like you have to remove the bed to get them off? Is this really necessary and if so, how many bolts are there and where are they located? Do I need to unbolt the rails for my fifth wheel hitch to do this? Sorry for all the questions. I just want to be able to do things myself and not depend on anyone else to do things I should be able to do. Lately I've been getting a little screwed with hiring things out.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Just went out and looked at mine. The tube that the receiver is mounted to goes all the way through the frame and has a plate welded to it on inner and outer side of frame. I can see where it will be loose and move when the bolts have been removed but there is no way it is coming out until you cut the plate off on the outside of frame. Strange installation. If you have a torch you might be able to burn the tube in two through the hole in the bottom of the frame. Good luck, bg

 

[AH64ID]

You don't have to remove the bed, but you do have to lift it.

When I pulled mine off last winter I pulled the all of the bed bolts out except the front two, those you have to loosen about 2", but it keeps the bed from sliding. You then can use a 2x4 between the frame and bed and lift it up to get the receiver out.

Just went out and looked at mine. The tube that the receiver is mounted to goes all the way through the frame and has a plate welded to it on inner and outer side of frame. I can see where it will be loose and move when the bolts have been removed but there is no way it is coming out until you cut the plate off on the outside of frame. Strange installation. If you have a torch you might be able to burn the tube in two through the hole in the bottom of the frame. Good luck, bg

It actually comes out quite easy once you loosen the bed.



EDIT: Here are the install instructions from my receiver. . complete with photos.

Trailer Hitch Instructions For DrawTite, Reese, Hidden Hitch & More - etrailer.com

 

[B.G. Smith]

Ok, I can see from the dwgs. that the rear of the frame is notched out and the plates actually span the top of frame. I couldn't/didn't see that when I looked at mine. Sorry if I misled. bg

 

[Hoefler]

There is 2 bosses welded under the brackets that go in corresponding holes on top of the frame. That is why you have to take the bed loose and raise the rear of the bed off of the frame. Then lift the receiver about an inch to get the bosses to clear the frame and slide out the back.