Installing a 5th wheel hitch

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Feb 20, 2019 | 03:21 PM

flyingtexan

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From: Texas

Installing a 5th wheel hitch

Greetings,
I just bought a 99 F350 7.3 longbed dually which had a Reese hitch in it at one time. Long story short the guy removed the hitch for whatever reason but included it with the truck, so I need to reinstall it. My question is how hard it installing one of these and are there any instructional videos out there on how to do it?

Thanks

Feb 20, 2019 | 03:40 PM

Army RET

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From: Alabama

Without knowing (or seeing) more it's hard to say but I think you'd simply match the pieces to the appropriate spot and bolt it/ them in place.
If you're lucky then he left the lower plates mounted to the truck frame and you only have to reattach the "uppper" pieces.

Google - Reese or Youtube - you will likely find some links/ pics/ videos.

Feb 20, 2019 | 04:31 PM

flyingtexan

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army RET

Yep all the L brackets are still in the frame, so yes I have all pieces, so sounds like I just need to bolt it up.

Feb 20, 2019 | 05:24 PM

kgburns

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The 5/8" bolts going through the rails and L brackets should be tightened to 125-160 ft lbs, the 1/2" bolts going through the frame should be at 75 ft lbs.

Feb 20, 2019 | 06:13 PM

69cj

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From: Middle Tn.

Make sure you use Grade 8 bolts and nuts.

Feb 21, 2019 | 11:05 AM

flyingtexan

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69cj

Make sure you use Grade 8 bolts and nuts.

Reese uses grade 5 in their kit, and the tech line stated to use grade 5. Please educate me if you have information to the contrary. Thanks.

Feb 21, 2019 | 01:51 PM

kgburns

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It's been awhile since I installed a standard rail hitch, but I do remember that all the bolts were grade 5. Consensus back then was that anything harder would shear off under stress, a grade 5 would give just a bit.

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Feb 21, 2019 | 07:58 PM

mptjelgin

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Grade 5 bolts are plenty strong for mounting a hitch.

Feb 24, 2019 | 10:53 AM

#10

mwheue

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Joined: Jul 2013

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From: Everett, Washington

Go to www.etrailer.com and look up your truck and hitch. They have links on their product pages to PDF installation instructions in most cases.

Feb 24, 2019 | 07:56 PM

#11

P.Bronner

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From: Chico,CA.

When doing rail installations, I always use 5/8" carriage bolts, grade 5 or higher. It makes for a neater appearance and you don't need a second set of hands to hold the wrench topside. Did the previous owner leave you the 5/16" filler plates to prevent crushing the corrugations in the bed?