5th WHEEL HITCHES
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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5th WHEEL HITCHES
I recall reading recently that adapters are needed when installing 5th wheel hitch rails in SD. Tried a search but couldn't find it. Have to install hitch on 05 Long Bed when weather warms up. Are adapters available or do they have to be custom made? I would rather drill frame than have an RV dealer weld.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 117
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From: The Villages, FL
Originally Posted by marspec
I recall reading recently that adapters are needed when installing 5th wheel hitch rails in SD. Tried a search but couldn't find it. Have to install hitch on 05 Long Bed when weather warms up. Are adapters available or do they have to be custom made? I would rather drill frame than have an RV dealer weld.
Anyway, it seems that the only difference from '05 SD & previous (not sure how far back) is the location of the right rear top shock mount. The '05 is in front of the axle while previously behind.
You didn't specify any brand 5th wheel, so I can only speak for my PullRite Superbrackets for their 25.5K hitch. I got the '04 model because they had not finished their '05 model. It required a little notch (size of a quarter) at the very bottom of only the passenger side. Other than that, all other mounts were the same.
Jim
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: New Mexico
I didn't care for any of the brackets that were factory supplied. Nor would any of them allow for more than one bolt to pass throught he rails to the bracket. I used 1/4" X 6" flat steel, bent 90 degrees with a 45 degree offset to allow bolting both corners of the rail, sandwiching the bed, to my homemade brackets. The brackets then had the correct angle, being 45 degree offset, to mis the shock mounts, rivets, frame bends and the like and allowed two more bolts to attach eac to the frame. I simply opened the small (about 7/16") holes in the frame to 9/16" to allow mounting, without drilling a new hole. I did however have to remove the bed from the truck to cut back the boxed in bed support. My brackets replced the boxed, factory support with a 6" wide flat piece that extends about 3" further than the original. I never really trusted the RV dealer installed method, using Reese parts. I wish there were an easier way. This is the strongest, most secure way I could think of to mount the rails.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 722
Likes: 22
From: New Orleans to San Diego
I went with a quick release style produced by Reese and a few others, mine is a Husky .
It has 4 claws that attach the main hitch to the underbed and hidden box rail.
This "box=rail" is what sandwiches between the trucks frame and the body(bed).
Its clean when connected and comes with plugs to fill in the four holes when the hitch and removed from thr bed.
My 5th is 34' and fully wet weighs a hint under 14K lbs.
I have had no problems with this hitch.
If i was in the market for a 5th wheel hitch i would definitely be looking at the removable type i described.
Good luck.
It has 4 claws that attach the main hitch to the underbed and hidden box rail.
This "box=rail" is what sandwiches between the trucks frame and the body(bed).
Its clean when connected and comes with plugs to fill in the four holes when the hitch and removed from thr bed.
My 5th is 34' and fully wet weighs a hint under 14K lbs.
I have had no problems with this hitch.
If i was in the market for a 5th wheel hitch i would definitely be looking at the removable type i described.
Good luck.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver
Loonatic
I just wanted to make sure that I understood your post. Are you saying that you have 4 holes in the box of your truck, and the hitch mounts to rails that are underneath? Thus when you take the hitch out, you have no rails to get in the way?
I did a search for a husky brand hitch, but can't find what you are talking about?
Thanks!
I just wanted to make sure that I understood your post. Are you saying that you have 4 holes in the box of your truck, and the hitch mounts to rails that are underneath? Thus when you take the hitch out, you have no rails to get in the way?
I did a search for a husky brand hitch, but can't find what you are talking about?
Thanks!
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 722
Likes: 22
From: New Orleans to San Diego
Originally Posted by OverHeight
Loonatic
I just wanted to make sure that I understood your post. Are you saying that you have 4 holes in the box of your truck, and the hitch mounts to rails that are underneath? Thus when you take the hitch out, you have no rails to get in the way?
I did a search for a husky brand hitch, but can't find what you are talking about?
Thanks!
I just wanted to make sure that I understood your post. Are you saying that you have 4 holes in the box of your truck, and the hitch mounts to rails that are underneath? Thus when you take the hitch out, you have no rails to get in the way?
I did a search for a husky brand hitch, but can't find what you are talking about?
Thanks!
Yes !
I can't see doing a hitch the conventinal way.
The decals on it say U.B.S. as in under bed system i guess.
Its rated to 16k lbs.
I don't know why you can find it.
Anyway, my point is too buy Reese or Husky under bed mount.
Why have rails in the way?
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Romeo
Just had the Reese Signature series 18K installed. Under bed mount and yes, only four holes in the bed. No exposed rails.
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver
Thanks Guys, I found hidden Hitch, Drawtite and another one and they all look identical.
What a sweet idea, i'm getting one for sure! I asked my rv dealer a few weeks ago about a better system for my new truck and they said you have to have some sort of rail. This forum has saved me again.
What a sweet idea, i'm getting one for sure! I asked my rv dealer a few weeks ago about a better system for my new truck and they said you have to have some sort of rail. This forum has saved me again.