Hi... I just had my fifth wheel hitch transferred to my new 2012 F350 (a Hijacker 16,000 pound slider series). There are 3 brackets on each side of the truck that connect the hitch rails in the box of the truck to the frame of the truck. Each frame bracket has 2 holes in it. On one side I have 5 of the 6 bolts installed (2 - 1 - 2). On the other side I have 4 of the bolts installed (2 - 1 - 1).Getting the other bolts installed will be a pain. Do I need to be concerned with the bolts not installed? Or would it only be a concern with a heavier duty hitch? The bolts are grade 5, 1/2" x 1.5" long.The maximum pin weight I've measured to date is 2400 poundsAppreciate your thoughtsDan

Sounds like installer left off because it would have been too much trouble. If it were mine I would want to see all the bolts on there. :)

I would certainly feel better with ALL the bolts installed. There's probably a reason for the available bolt holes. JMO.Happy Camping!

IMHO pay someone to do it right. Even the others loosen over time. They're there for a good reason.

Ask yourself this question. If they were all installed would you remove any because you thought they weren't needed?

Too few bolts in frame brackets - Should I be worried

11 Replies

dsulliva
Explorer
May 25, 2013
A couple of answers to your posts.

My truck frame is C channel so no spacers required. Phew...dodged that bullet! Also, the shock mounting bracket is multi-curved piece. I suspect it would be difficult to drill accurately to line up with the hole to be drilled in the frame. And the nut just wouldn't sit properly on it.

They used new brackets. However, I'd consider them "generic" L brackets as opposed a model/year specific brackets. My concern with changing brackets to a model/year specific one at this point is it may force a slight change in where the bed rails inside the box sit. This could mean another set of holes in the bed. I realize this probably isn't a great argument.
Vulcaneer
Explorer
May 25, 2013
You're using brackets from a 1999 to mount on a 2012. Maybe you would be better off to get new mounting brackets that are specifically designed for the 2012 model year.
powderman426
Explorer
May 25, 2013
Some of the bolts go through the bed channels where spacers are suppose to be installed to keep the channel from collapsing. If they didn't put in all the, did they put in the spacers? These are very important to assure that the bolts don't loosen. Something to think about.
dsulliva
Explorer
May 25, 2013
On the drivers side, the last bolt didn't go in because the fuel pump interferes with it. On the passenger side, one didn't go in because the shock mount on the frame is in the way. The other one on the passenger side, there's not good reason they didn't put the bolt in that I can see.

That means, best case scenario is that I could end of with 5 of 6 bolts on each side.

I'm wondering if that'll just have to be good enough? Granted, in a perfect world I too would like all the bolts installed.

I looked up the 1/2" grade 5 bolts and they have ~85,000 PSI shear strength (if I'm reading it right). Isn't this lots of strength (baring the fact they can loosen as suggested above)?
rhagfo
Explorer III
May 25, 2013
tvman44 wrote:
Sounds like installer left off because it would have been too much trouble. If it were mine I would want to see all the bolts on there. :)

X6 or so, don't care what a PITA they would be to install, they need to be installed SIX on each side!!!!!
Vulcaneer
Explorer
May 25, 2013
For Your Reference

Shows 2 in each.
BlindGuynAR
Explorer
May 25, 2013
Ask yourself this question. If they were all installed would you remove any because you thought they weren't needed?
et2
Explorer
May 25, 2013
IMHO pay someone to do it right. Even the others loosen over time. They're there for a good reason.
Splashers3
Explorer
May 25, 2013
All of mine are used.
empty_nest
Explorer
May 25, 2013
I would certainly feel better with ALL the bolts installed. There's probably a reason for the available bolt holes. JMO.

Happy Camping!