Who installed your hitch?

My last truck I installed a Pull rite super glide and did it myself with the custom fit brackets. Current truck I had the dealer install my B&W Patriot, mistake, I told them I wanted the custom no drill brackets and what do I get? I get the universal drill the frame brackets, I was not happy. Next truck, doing it myself again. I may not install them every day but its not rocket science and I am a little more fussy about the install plus I'll get what I am wanting.

Dan

I don't hate my dealer but when it comes to my vehicle I like to do my own service and that includes installing accessories. Then if it falls apart I know who to blame!..oh yeah im also frugal!

It amazes me that anyone likes a dealer. I've never found one that I trusted.

For those of you that said not to let your dealer do it, It would be horrible to have such little faith in a company.. Back in 07 , I purchased my first fifth wheel, had the dealer install my hitch and never an issue..

It really amazes me just how many people dislike dealers . :h

rctoyguy wrote:
We are planning to trade our TT for a 5er - my truck does not have the fifth wheel prep or whatever (not predrilled for hitch).
Would you allow the camper store to install a 5th wheel hitch, or better off going to like a U-Haul or somewhere? Small mom and pop camper dealer or mega-store?
I absolutely want it done correctly.

I installed my B&W Turnover Ball base by myself. Besides the physical labor part, the hardest part was drilling that 4" hole in the middle of my bed, as it's NOT fixable if you FUBAR it. :B The 4 1/2" holes for the safety chain loops were a piece of cake after that. I also helped my brother install is TO Ball, but I made =him= drill that hole so he couldn't blame me for any f'up. :B

Oh, and I also assembled my B&W Companion by myself.

Lyle

Originally trailer life did it as it was featured in the June 2011 issue. When I got my 2014 I had to pay an RV repair shop to move it to the new truck in Wenatchee, Wa.

I installed Curt bed rail brackets myself. The 90 minute job took close to six hours! In hindsight I would have paid to have it done. The job would have gone a lot faster with a lift and a helper.

on my 2011 I bought the proper brackets from etrailer and did it myself, I like knowing it was done right as most places aren't going to have their best person install a hitch!

AS was already said, take your time read the directions and recheck your measurements before drilling the bed holes.

rctoyguy wrote:
We are planning to trade our TT for a 5er - my truck does not have the fifth wheel prep or whatever (not predrilled for hitch).
Would you allow the camper store to install a 5th wheel hitch, or better off going to like a U-Haul or somewhere? Small mom and pop camper dealer or mega-store?
I absolutely want it done correctly.

Do you have the skills to do this yourself? If yes, then go to Etrailer.com, buy the hitch you want and knock it out.

If you don't........hmmm. Most RV places will do hitch installs. You might see if the place you're buying the 5er will make it a package deal? I've always done this kind of stuff myself so I can't really say which is best.

One question you must answer is if you want the bed completely clean when the hitch is out or if you don't mind having 5er rails there permanently.

Your truck will have to use an aftermarket 5th wheel mounting system. Starting in '14 RAM introduced the factory 5th wheel prep and gooseneck packages. Regardless of what anyone tries to tell you, the factory 5th wheel prep WILL NOT fit your truck.

Now that we have that clear let's get to your options. For a clean bed when the hitch is removed I'd suggest the B&W sliding hitch with Gooseneck combination. The advantage is you have gooseneck towing capabilities if you need it. If you have a buddy that can help you this hitch only requires drilling ONE 4" hole in the middle of the bed of the truck and four 3/8" holes for the safety chain u-bolts. All mounting points on the frame use OEM holes so no drilling required there.

If you don't mind having permanent rails then the B&W Patriot sliding hitch with custom rail kit will suit you just fine.

Your signature doesn't say what bed length you have but I assume it's a 6' bed. If so you really should get a sliding hitch like the ones I linked above just in case you might need it. If your bed is 8' your options are much cheaper.

KJ

installing your 5th. wheel hitch--
Would not have Camping World do the job. I have a local welding RV shop do all my installations.