5th wheel
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5th wheel
I just installed a Reese 15k pro series 5th wheel hitch in my 04' F250. What a nightmare. I should have paid the $200 for install. It took me about 10 hours total using the universal kit. I will never install another one again. On the bright side I bought a 2006 Keystone Laredo 30ft 5th wheel last Saturday. I pick it up This Saturday. That V10 is gonna be sucking down the fuel.
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Lining up the holes and trying to reach one of the bolts directly above the fuel filler line. I had to cut the bed liner to get the tracks in against the bed. I never installed one before so it was "measure 8 times, drill once" Even with that mentallity it was still not simple. Its nice and tight but I think I'll have someone wled the brackets to the frame for added support within the next few months. The only thing that really holds it down is one bolt on each side of the two tracks. It is bolted to the "L" bracked which in turn is bolted to frame with two bolts. All bolts are grade eight. The other bolts are simply bolted to the bed which doesn't seem like it would help at all. My 5th wheel is only 7800 pounds so it's not even close to the hitches rating. I was surprised when the dealer told me my truck was only rated to pull around 9900 or so. My 06' Titan was rated at like 9600 with the big tow package.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
Hmmmm.....maximum trailer weight for a 2004 6.8L is 10,600 for the 3.73 gears up to 14,100 for the 4.30 gears (5th wheel tow). Either way, you'll be fine. I tow more with my 5.4L and don't have any issues.
You can check the actual weight ratings here:
http://www.analogstereo.com/pdf/om/f...anual_2004.pdf
Start at page 165.
My only warning would be to keep an eye on your transmission temp. (BTW - the factory trans temp gauge is worthless). If you start puking trans fluid, install more cooling capacity.
You can check the actual weight ratings here:
http://www.analogstereo.com/pdf/om/f...anual_2004.pdf
Start at page 165.
My only warning would be to keep an eye on your transmission temp. (BTW - the factory trans temp gauge is worthless). If you start puking trans fluid, install more cooling capacity.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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I tow a 28ft Keystone Sprinter with my 2001 V10 no problem, and I get about 8.5 mpg. I had put my hitch in and it was not too bad, the big problem I had was the next week cutting out the drop in liner. I should have had the bed sprayed before I did the hitch rails.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Princeton, BC
I was going to install my hitch with my last truck but decided against it. I also had it installed on my current truck. When I sold my last truck I removed the rails and to my surprise instead of the six holes that I expected there were twice that amount. Even the pros???? screw up sometimes.
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Wouldn't weld them to frame as it can make frame weak from the heat and if you ever get rid of truck you will have for the next one.
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From: Phoenix
I have an 03 250 CC FX4 and I had never installed one before. It took about two or three hours (including the refreshment brakes) I had a nice new very sharp bit, used a corded drill and I thought it was actually pretty easy. The key is to have a 3/4" wratcheting wrench so you can reach up on top of the frame. The only scary part was that one of the brackets is right next to the PLASTIC gas tank. One slip there could have been trouble. IMPORTANT NOTE: During your first pull when you get to your destination get under there and re-tighten every bolt. They will settle and be loose!!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: freeland, mi
I just put the hitchin my 06 I just bought using existing holes from the previous owner. Can someone give me a measuremnet from the front of the box to the front of the front bracket, and from the rear of bed to rear of the rearbracket. The reason is to me it looks like the hitchis too far forward and I want to see if mine is close to everyone else. I knew I should have measured the old truck before Itook it out
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Originally Posted by RagdollRacer
IMPORTANT NOTE: During your first pull when you get to your destination get under there and re-tighten every bolt. They will settle and be loose!!!
Originally Posted by fordboy2
<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 5239359" vAlign=top><TD class=alt2>I just put the hitchin my 06 I just bought using existing holes from the previous owner. Can someone give me a measuremnet from the front of the box to the front of the front bracket, and from the rear of bed to rear of the rearbracket. The reason is to me it looks like the hitchis too far forward and I want to see if mine is close to everyone else. I knew I should have measured the old truck before Itook it out</TD></TR><TR><TD class=thead colSpan=2>Today 08:59 AM</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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From: Upstate, NY
Originally Posted by tac53parsons
My 5th wheel is only 7800 pounds
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Downey
I just put mine in last weekend also. took about 5hr total that included watching the last few min of the usc game and a 2yr old wanting to help... I could see where a plastic bed liner would be a pain in the rear though. I also used the custom quick install the univeral install I could see taking longer.
here is a link to the instructions with measurements.
http://www.reeseprod.com/fitguides/pdf/N50043.pdf
Eric
here is a link to the instructions with measurements.
http://www.reeseprod.com/fitguides/pdf/N50043.pdf
Eric