welding frame/warranty

[turbinesurgun]

Does welding on the frame void any kind of warranty issue? I have a 2006 2500 4X4 and am wanting to put a gooseneck hitch in. Did the same thing to my 03 and did not have any problems but just wondered if anybody out there had experienced anything like this

 

[Pawpaw]

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003/13-001-03.htm



Bob

 

[jayhawktrailers.com]

There are opinions both way of weld it or don't . my opinion is don't do it. Go to turnoverball.com B&W makes a sweet gooseneck hitch that bolts in. No frame drilling either. I install gooseneck hitches for a living and B&W is the best installing hitch. Since I do it all the time I have done it in 40 min. Give your self 4 hours for the first time. The only special tools you need is a 4" metal holesaw (you can torch it but won't be as clean). and a piece of chain to hold up the centersection while you start the bolts from underneath. This hitch sit completely under the bed and the ball is removable so your floor is flat and unobstructed. The hitch number you need is 1306. The part number recently changed from a 1303, with the release of the mega cab. The exhaust changed will not allow the 1303 to be installed into a mega cab. The 1306 will fit all 3rd gen trucks (short/long/and mega). The B&W can also convert to a fifth wheel with the companion fifth wheel replacing the goosneck ball. They also have attachments for the inverted gooseneck ball and an inverted king pin. Makes a very versital system.

 

[robert4570]

I would aviod welding at all costs . I've seen too many frames on big rigs with warnings on the frame regarding welding and drilling.

I like Stude's suggestion because there is no work required on the frame.



My $. 02.

Good Luck

 

[DPKetchum]

Why weld. This is a NEW century. Burn the frame and paint and what ever else etc. The bolt ins take only a couple of hours to install and fit like a glove.

 

[J&LRam]

The truck frame is a weld assy and welding per Dodge Body Builders Guide works great. My brkts were welded 54000+ miles ago. My neighbor hotshots with a '03 3500 with welded brkts for his 5th wheel/GN hitch and pulls in excess of 26000+ lbs. These frames are AISI 1010-1019 mild steel and works great... ... . JIM

 

[Cattletrkr]

DOT from any state does not like to see welded frames. I guess it can be done "properly", but very few machine shops would even know how to do it. Use a bolt on hitch. B+W is grotesquely overrated and a major PITA if you live in an area that uses road salt. There is no reason to weld a hitch in place, you won't break the bolts. If you do, you need a bigger truck.

 

[bighornram]

I bought my truck new and the dealer installed my fifth wheel hitch. It is a Reese and they drilled and bolted it in. Pulls nice.

 

[DPKetchum]

You SURE its drilled and not bolted with brackets?

 

[jayhawktrailers.com]

I have seen many trucks with drilled frames, to install the reese L shaped brackets on the frame. I understand when a guy already owns the reese hitch and wants to reuse it from a previous truck, but why deal with the rails on the floor of your truck. It would be a pain installing the frame brackets on a 3rd gen truck as you have to fish the bolts from the back of the frame with a wire, because of the boxed frame instead of the older C channel design. I could install 4 B&W's to one reese ( there are other brands like the reese so discussion should be about any hitch with similar brackets ) ( as well there are other types of under bed hitchs like the B&W, pop-up, drop-n-lock, draw tite,cody, even a B&W knock of that was built oversees, that was a total rip off that I saw at the SEMA show) I know that it is expensive, to buy a new hitch, but isn't your Ram worth it? Under bed hitches do have one fault. The brackets that fit the frames change with every change of body style and many require purchase of a new hitch as a guy trades trucks. If you do fab a hitch DO NOT use a 2 5/16" ball that is intended for a bumper pull trailer. Get the special ball for a gooseneck usually has a 30,000 pound rating. The also will make it with a slight rise at the base of the ball. This is usually important so that the gooseneck coupler can have room to close. I looked at a 03 and saw a cobbled up hitch in the bed with a bumper ball in it, and walked away. Heck I saw a truck upfitter install flatbeds on 6 F-650s all of them got the bumper balls. That coulda killed someone. Sorry for the long post.

 

[DPKetchum]

I bought a B&W turnover ball,brake controller and the wiring installed in the bed for $575 or so. It was installed while I waited,about 2. 5 hours or so. I thought it was a good deal.

 

[jayhawktrailers.com]

That is a good deal that is about what we charge depending on which brake control you run.

 

[betterthanstock]

If you don't weld on a cold day (or do it inside a heated shop) and if you stay away from the upper and lower 1-2 inches of the rail you should be ok.



Ideally you want to only weld in the bolt holes, and to preheat the frame a little. Cracks start if the weld is too long, and creates high stresses when it cools. Slow cooling is important.

 

[turbinesurgun]

mainly was worried about warranty issues. i have done several of these. i use 1X6 solid steel doubled up and use the 30000# gooseneck riser balls. thanks for everyone's input.