Reese signature 5h wheel install, clamp or bolt?

[EZeis]

Hello,

I'm about to order and install a reese signature series 5th wheel in my 07. Going with 18K hitch (30847) and hardware kit (30074). The hardware kit can be bolted or clamped to the frame. Should I bolt or clamp it? Or both? I like the clamp on idea, but what is suppose to keep it from moving on the frame besides just bed sheet metal? I'd like the trailer to stay put and not come into the cab during a crash. Am I missing something from the reese web site directions, or are they counting on the bed floor to keep the whole works from moving forward or rearward? I'd like to clamp it so I wouldn't have to bother drilling into the frame, but if there's no real method used to keep it from moving, I'll bolt it. What do you guys think? Bolt it, clamp it, or bolt and clamp it?



Thanks,

Earl

 

[KBrasch]

here is what i did, i have a 2006 mega cab. with a 34' wildcat 5thr.



I bought the turnover ball gooseneck hitch that bolts to the frame 20k.

and have the goose neck adaptor for the camper, both was cheeper than the hitch you are aout to order.

The install is a breaze five min for the camper and about an hour with two people for the truck.

that way when you are not pulling your camper you dont have to worry about storing your hitch if you want to use your box you just turn over your ball and go takes 30 sec.

cost me about $950 for the set up.

i had seen where a couple wrecked on i-80 out by the ne wy border when they jack knifed they still had the camper hit the cab but did not break apart. so i think it would be better than what you want to do.



just my $. 02 hoe this helps you. Oo.

 

[JimBob24]

I had the no-drill clamp around the frame type with a Reese slider on my previous '04. 5 and it clamped tight enough that I didn't worry about it moving.



Jim

 

[ScottLewis]

I have the clamps on my '06. I used my old slider hitch and I installed it myself with new clamps I bought from the RV dealer. The clamps have a pin welded to them that indexes in an existing hole in the frame. Once everything is tightened down, there is no way it's going to shift.



Dan

 

[Bertram65]

Not sure if the new mount is different but I installed a signature series 18k a while ago and posted some pictures, http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110068 .

On a hitch if I had a choice to through bolt or clamp I would choose through bolt.

 

[JMartynowski]

I just installed a 24k signature in my 06 and used the "no drill" mounting.
No drilling, no clamping, just bolt it in.

 

[EZeis]

Thanks for your comments guys!



Earl