They did what!!!!!!!!!!

[Pull'nOld Iron]

I heard a noise while pulling my gooseneck around a corner the other day and thought there might be a loose hitch bolt.



So I crawled under the truck and guess what, they welded the quick hitch to my frame! From what I've been told all my life is that you NEVER weld to the frame. Has something changed on this subject lately???



Needless to say the hitch has been in while and I never really got under it before and inspected what they did. The shop that did the work came with multiple recommendations and I was remiss and didn't check it when they installed the hitch.



Any recommendations?

 

[RustyJC]

From everything I've heard, welding to the frame is a big "no-no". My B&W hitch is bolted to the frame.



Rusty

 

[DRR-24V]

Thats A Sad A** Shop

They should not have welded it. But it's done. You should check for cracks from time to time. You will probably be OK as I welded the hitch on A Chevy in 1987 and it's still ok.

 

[Ross]

I've heard that also, but there's a shop here in town that has been welding hitches in trucks for 10 years.



If the welds run a particular way it's supposed to be ok (at least that's what they claim). I don't know if they contend that the "authorized" direction is up/down or parrallel with the frame (sideways). I never liked the idea myself, but I know a lot of people that pull very heavy trailers (mostly livestock) with these welded-in hitches. ... . never heard of any problems, and the shop is doing it every day... .

 

[rkressg]

As long as they use the correct rods and the welder (Master Welder) knows what he is doing it should be fine. I would never weld on any body's frame mine but mine, and that would only be for a quick fix until I could fix it correctly. :-{} (I just love these two guys):-{} :-{} :-{} :-{}

 

[rob10858]

forget anything that you hear, welds are not legal. only hitches that are bolted pass the legal requirements nowadays. although i will say that ive had to have some emergency weld jobs on the hitch and frame that have held up very well, but that doesnt mean that they are legal.

 

[TowPro]

The also tell you to never drill a hole in a hitch, so what does DC do? They drill holes in my hitch because they are breaking off the trucks! Give me a break DC!

Originally posted by RustyJC

From everything I've heard, welding to the frame is a big "no-no". My B&W hitch is bolted to the frame.



Rusty

 

[Six_Man_Diesel]

I welded 2 pieces of channel on "the hump" under the middle of my bed. Hide-away hitch bolted right to it. I don't understand why it isn't legal to weld to the frame, I know people weld bumpers to the frame all the time... ... ...

 

[Loren]

The reason it's not smart to weld to the frame is because certain parts (not necessarily the whole thing) of the frame are heat-treated. Welding will, to some degree or another, anneal these areas. This reduces the strength of the steel.



Loren

 

[klenger]

This picture is from the instructions for the Draw-Tite 5th wheel hitch I have on my truck. Look at the bottom on the picture, and they show optional weld patterns. There is a note that states "Weld must not go into radius of frame". That leads me to believe that if done properly, it should not be a problem. I do think that bolting is prefered methhod though.

 

[mbrolin]

I agree with Klenger. If the weld is done properly and the welder is certified. Unfortunately,most hitch istallers arent certified. Ive seen 5er hitch brackets welded to the frame that look like beginners did them. I bolted my Reese hitch. Did it myself. Course Ive been in the autobody repair business for 28 years.

 

[merryman]

I am not suggesting that it is O K or a good idea, but not knowing any better I welded two of the brackets for the fiver hitch on my '93 2500 CTD. They were vertical welds about 4 inches long. My sole welding training was 10 or 12 session adult ed. class about 30 years ago. With that welded hitch, I pulled a fiver that weighed between 11 and12K and that gave a truck weight of a little over 10K for 25, 000 miles. Either I was just lucky, or its not terribly critical.



Vaughn

 

[Dkevdog]

My Drawtite 16k was welded in, I've had absolutely no problems at all, the installer who did it has been welding them in for 30 years. He did a very clean job with it, and frankly I would trust a good weld job over bolts anyday. As far as not being legal?? Not heard that one before. My neighbor has a large towing company and the guy who does his CHP inspections has never said anything about my setup (I occasionally move trailers for them).



Kev

 

[Extreme1]

Originally posted by merryman

They were vertical welds about 4 inches long.

Vertical bad, horizontal good. Stay away from formed radius.



Before some of you freak out :--) about the welding to the frame idea, as mentioned above, it is OK if done right.



Semi trailer king pins are welded to the 5th wheel plate. The handle a lot more than your truck and trailer weigh combined.



A small vertical weld (4") would be OK if it is near a neutral axis or in a non stresses area of the frame.

 

[Mschevey]

Welds done correctly to non-heat-treaded frames are legal and can be stronger than bolts. But note, I said done correctly, and that the fram can not have been heat-treated when manufactured.



Mike

 

[JTMcCracken]

Heat treated frames exist in the big truck world but dont apply to your dodge. These frames are cut, stretched, shortened, ect. every day but not at your local welding shop. Big truck frames are modified much more often than pickups as it is common to stretch an older truck frame to acomodate a big sleeper, or to put a late model rear clip on a classic old truck. you need to understand the stresses involved, when & where to weld, where not to and your insurance company will fill you in on the liability involved. Most of the big truck tow trucks have thier underlifts installed via welding. Weve been in the welding business for many years and dont work on truck frames anymore but have done many in the recent past. Its nice to see so many NRA members at this site.

 

[rrausch]

Back in the '60's, in Joplin, Mo. , you could buy old cars cheap and we all did.

A buddy of mine bought a 2-door '57 Ferd, more than a little beat-up but for a GREAT price. The first time he tried to change a flat he found out why it was so cheap. All the wheels had been welded to the drums!--No lug bolts!