I have a 2004 GMC 2500HD and we are planning on getting a 5th wheel in the near future. The truck has never had a hitch installed in the bed and I plan on getting a spray in bed liner done.
Would it be better to have the hitch hardware installed before or after the bed liner is done?
I was thinking it would be better to have the hitch mounted first so there is not a "cushion" of rubber between it and the bed.
Hitch after, and I recommend Linex spray in liner. I did under the rail and installed plastic bed rail caps. This way in the event that the fiver comes in contact with the bed rail, it will be more forgiving.
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.
when I looked into this myself I was told after as when the hitch is installed it must be next to the bed other wise you run the risk of the bolts not staying tight with the weight of the pulling trailer.
Hitch after. I always get a Rhino Liner sprayed in before the hitch is installed so the rails fit on top of the bed liner. Same process for the last 4 trucks and it works fine. Would never spray rails.
lovetotow wrote: when I looked into this myself I was told after as when the hitch is installed it must be next to the bed other wise you run the risk of the bolts not staying tight with the weight of the pulling trailer.
Lovetotow I wouldn't buy that for a second since I have towed with 4 trucks and with hitches on top of a spray in liner in each, with 1,000s of miles, and never had a bolt loosen up.
Most all coatings are good. It is just like a paint job. The person doing the spraying is the one that makes the job good or not.
(To cheap to buy new)
1990 37 ft 5th wheel that hasn't moved since 1996 (our best home)
1997 33 ft trailer (winter home in much warmer climate)
2005 25 ft M/H (our "stand up B" for traveling)
path1 wrote: Most all coatings are good. It is just like a paint job. The person doing the spraying is the one that makes the job good or not.
The person that does the prep work makes the job good or not.
1937(BAD BOY)pontiac,all steel,chevy 350,dyno=405hp,650 holley double pumper,ps,pb tilt wheel,heat & air,
700 r4 tranny,headers,3" exhaust with flowmasters
just a good ole southern redneck country boy
Get all the holes for the hitch rails cut BEFORE the lining is sprayed in.
That way all those raw cut edges get protected and won't rust as quickly.
(You may need to drill the holes 1/8" bigger for clearance)
Keith J.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver.
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD CC/SB/DA 2WD, LBZ air cleaner, 52 gal Titan tank, Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax cover, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors, TST TPMS.
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