Louie & Eva
New Haven Ct
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How hard is it to install a fifth wheel hitch?
Montana 2008 Mountaineer travel trailer 32FLD
2006 Ford F350 PSD, Lariat, CC, LB, SRW and Blue ox sway control
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dbbls
Missouri
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Joined: 09/29/2005
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Can't be too hard because I've seen some pretty simple guys at RV dealerships install them.
2011 F-350 CC Lariat 4X4 Dually Diesel
2012 Big Country 3450TS 5th Wheel
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Drivr
Seabrook, NH
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Depends on the truck and the hitch. I spent an afternoon installing a reese in an older dodge. Nothing complicated, measure twice then measure again. Biggest thing is to have sharp drill bits and a big enough drill to handle them.
2005 Ford F350 dually with airbags
2009 Heartland Bighorn 3055RL
http://www.bowleyfamily.com
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camperpaul
Wherever I park my travel trailer
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When you drill the holes in the bed, make them about 3/16" oversize...
Then mount the hitch, making sure everything lines up properly...
Then completely remove the hitch and install a 'sprayed-in' bed liner...
Now re-install the hitch; the bolt holes may be a little snug so you can re-drill them using the correct size bit for the bolts.
It is a little extra work but you will never have the bolt holes rust out.
Paul
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2005 Four Winds 29Q
1982 6.2L Diesel Suburban 1500
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chuggs
Florida
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Installation Video at Etrailer.com
That's a video tutorial on installing the rails with a bracket kit.
You can save about $100 getting the #30035 rail kit...but you have to get a special 17/32" bit...and drill 8 holes thru the rails. THAT IS HARD WORK! Or...you can weld the brackets to the frame if you're handy with a welder.
*** I really recommend using the brackets...so you can use existing holes in the frame rails...****
Most of the underbed mounting systems...that use drop in posts...(clean bed when removed)... have custom brackets which also use existing holes. About the only hole you drill is thru the truck bed... That's pretty thin steel...not difficult to drill thu. Frame steel is thicker and hardened!!
It's a matter of measuring carefully! It's a good idea to drill a tiny 1/8 hole...so you can climb under and see if it's lined up properly with the cross channels....before you commit to drilling the BIG holes.
They show using a goosneck plate hitch during the intallation video. The reason they are using that is to get the rails perfectly parallel to one another, and spaced perfectly. You can do it without if you're really good at measuring. But it you have your 5th wheel hitch...just use the base to set the spacing perfectly.
You might need to replace the POM rivets...if you removed your wheel liners. I got a kit from Harbor Freight POM rivet kit
I hope that gives you a better idea of what's involved.
Here's a set of intructions to look at in PDF format
Installation Instructions
In addition...you might want to install a 7-pole wiring connector inside the truck bed...
WIRING HARNESS
If you're moving over from a TT...you probably already have towing mirrors and a brake controller...
So, that's about it.
It's not hard... it's just a little time consuming.
Hope that helps!
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Dave&Monica
Ontario
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Joined: 09/22/2007
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I've installed the same hitch in two, different trucks. If you're at all handy, it isn't a difficult job. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and measure everthing twice before drilling holes.
Have at it!
Dave
2010 Rockwood 8280WS
2008 F250 CC Lariat SB 6.8L V10
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therink
Rochester
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I just installed a Reese rail installation kit in my new 3500HD using the factory drilled frame holes. The etrailer.com video shows the exact steps but doesn't tell you about the heat shield above the muffler that you have to remove to get to the bolts. I couldn't remove it, so had to bend it out of the way. It was a knuckle busting job but my son and I completed it in about 4 hours. I think probably saved about $ 300 doing it myself.
Steve Rinker
Rochester, NY
2013 Keystone Sydney 340FBH 5'er
2012 Silverado 3500HD, SRW,LTZ,4x4, Z71, Crew, 6.0 Gasser, 4:10 Gears, Standard bed
"These days, I have problems in areas that I used to not have areas", so life is good.
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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Drivr wrote:Depends on the truck and the hitch. I spent an afternoon installing a reese in an older dodge. Nothing complicated, measure twice then measure again. Biggest thing is to have sharp drill bits and a big enough drill to handle them.
Yes, and get the proper brackets specific to your truck. the hitch will come with universal brackets, the hitch manufacturer should offer model specific brackets for your truck.
It is very easy to do.
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Son Brandon 11yrs
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better than a good day at work!
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Louie & Eva
New Haven Ct
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Thank you everyone.
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Peg Leg
Anderson, IN
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I just did the B&W turnover ball, base for the Companion 5th wheel. The only holes to drill were, the 4" hole in the center and holes for the safety chain if your going to use the gooseneck, in the bed. The 4" hole is measured from the back of the bed and centered. The Safety chain holes are drilled by running the bit through the base from the under side and align automatically. The base used exsisting holes in the frame, using a couple pieces of metal to hold the bolts while inserting through the frame.
Never drill a clearance hole 3/16" oversize, your asking for a bolt to pull through. Standard clearance is 1/64" and sloppy is 1/32" over.
2012 Chevy 3500HD Dually 4X4
Crew Cab long bed 6.0 gasser 4.10
06 Hitchiker II LS 29.5 FKTS
Yamaha EF3000iSE
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