troublemonster
Louisiana
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Joined: 09/10/2006
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Skip the Reese and get a B&W turnover ball and companion hitch. No drilling in the frame and only a 4 inch hole in the bed and you get a nice flush bed when you take the hitch out. I didn't install it myself but it looks real simple I beleive you can download the instructions on the B & W website. I had a reese in my old truck and the B & W's construction looks far superior.
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gnarlykaw
St. louis Mo. U.S.A.
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Joined: 05/01/2004
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ok, I just bought a 08 mega cab about a month and a half ago. I did alot of research on how to mount our 16K reese back into this truck.
If you want to do it yourself, buy the bracket kit. trust me, It's NOT going to move around on the frame rails, unless you have a limp wrist tightening it up. It took about 3 hours out in my driveway.
the universal rails will not work on this truck. I'm happy with the set up. My problem was, we already own a 16K reese hitch, and I didn't want to change to another style, due to MORE money out. I can, if I want to in the future, change to a slider, and reuse my upper plate, for less than 300 bucks.
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Mark Heisler
Viking,Alberta Canada
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Joined: 03/23/2008
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buy the bracket kit for your dodge truck. two new drill bits the size you need and read your instruction and you will be fine. the Reese kit have all the bolts you need .on thing buy the bit they say to us because the bolts that go into the frame are ribbed and they are easy to use good luck see you in 3 or 4 hours make sure it square or get dealer to do it
2003 dodge 2wheel drive diesel 375hp 750torque
2007 citation fifth wheel model 29bhs
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Pinecone
Longview, TX
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Joined: 08/02/2002
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Thanks for the replys. The fact that the custom hitch allows attaching 4 bolts per rail direct to the bracket is interesting, and would likely affect my decision.
I've noticed on the universal brackets it appeared that only 2 bolts were through the bracket and 2 were attached to sheet metal only. While this doesn't sound desirable, I'm sure it works as 99% of the Reese hitches are mounted this way.
It appears a single 1/2" bolt (in addition to the clamps) through the custom brackets and the frame would prevent any movement, but Reese tech department says any drilling through the brackets will void the warranty. I may do it anyway!
It is interesting to see the above posts that "assume" I don't have the correct tools or ability to install or select the right hitch. I continue to be informed and entertained reading RV.net!
And by the way, B & W does not make a slider hitch to my knowledge, and Pullrights cannot be locked in the extended position.
Thanks,
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roleskie
Michigan
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Joined: 04/12/2008
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I too need to install a hitch in a Dodge Ram. It's a 2007 1500 quad cab. I have a RBW Little rocker, I have installed this hitch in three ext cab chevys using the universal mounting brackets without any problems.
Will it be just as easy to install in this Dodge, or does the closed frame rail make it much harder to install?
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Mark Heisler
Viking,Alberta Canada
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Joined: 03/23/2008
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roleskie
if you don't use the custom brackets for a dodge you hitch wont be in the right place and you will be swearing like crazy.trust me i have been doing this for 20 years plus
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onlyinadodge
Hiddenite,nc
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Joined: 10/17/2007
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I spent the extra for the brackets for the Ram. Install was a breeze, no drilling thru the frame witch is hard to do laying on your back. It's a Reese set up.
John
'03 Ram 2500 CTD long bed quad cab
'98 35'Park Avenue 5th wheel
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Pinecone
Longview, TX
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Joined: 08/02/2002
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Mark Heisler wrote:roleskie
if you don't use the custom brackets for a dodge you hitch wont be in the right place and you will be swearing like crazy.trust me i have been doing this for 20 years plus
By "being in the right place" are you saying too far forward or too far backward?
If you follow Reese's instructions and measurements, why won't it be in the right place? It looks as if you actually have more forward/backward leeway in drilling/mounting with the universal brackets as opposed to the custom.
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bradne
S.E. Arizona
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Joined: 02/24/2005
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Depending on what kind of truck you have and what model Reese hitch you have, you may be able to use a no drill kit that uses the existing holes in the frame. When I installed my Signature Series in my 2003 Chevrolet HD, I paid the extra money and purchased the no drill kit. Instead of using clamps, it uses the factory existing holes. I easily could have drilled the frame, I have all the tools and drill bits, however I used to work for a truck equipment company. We basically built custom utility trucks. During that time, I learned it was basically taboo to drill or weld on the frame in front of the rear spring hangers (in that shop at least). It used to be that many of the "chasis" trucks, which are basically pickup trucks sold by the manufacturer without a bed meant for utility or flatbeds, would have a sticker on the frame that said "do not weld or drill".
Sometimes you have no choice to drill or weld such as doing extreme modifications such as shortening or lengthing frames to accomodate specific bodies with odd wheelbases, but then you do LOTS of reinforcement (double frames etc).
I realize that most hitches these days require drilling or welding, however I am wary enought that if I do not have to, I will not drill a frame of a truck. Drilling the frame for a hitch probably will not hurt it (I am sure Reese does a lot of research), however it is just my personal opinion to not drill if I do not have to.
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Mark Heisler
Viking,Alberta Canada
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Joined: 03/23/2008
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sorry I meant if you don't use the custom bracket for the dodge you will be in the wrong place. you cant use the universal ones because of the frame shape
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