New rails installed prices

That seems very expensive.

Look here:

E-Trailer Reese Rails


On Edit: Although, that is not for the Chevy it probably gives a good idea of possible price range.

Sounds aboot right at retail mechanic rates.

I’ll ask the obvious question since most newer Dmax trucks are somewhere between well equipped and fully loaded, did you get one that doesn’t have 5th wheel pucks?

If you use custom mounting brackets for your exact truck, doing the install yourself would be pretty simple. The brackets and new Reese rails would be short of $400.

To answer your question...$800 is TOO MUCH.

Jerry

MFL wrote:
If you use custom mounting brackets for your exact truck, doing the install yourself would be pretty simple. The brackets and new Reese rails would be short of $400.

To answer your question...$800 is TOO MUCH.

Jerry

I suppose geography and cost of living need to be considered if you think $400 for installation is TOO MUCH.
Around here that get ya about 2.5 hours of a tech.

I installed rails with Curt vehicle specific no drill frame brackets on my Ram. The 45 minute job took me six hours. Materials were around $250. At the time, I would have gladly dropped the $800. Curt had really poor instructions with no guidance on how to install spacers inside a blind box section support for the bed. Laying out the precise position to drill the holes in the bed was also time consuming. I could probably reduce the install times by 3 hours if I had a helper and a lift. It took a large amount of tools and some innovation to get the job done. I would pay the money to a pro who has done job before and doesn't take shortcuts like leaving the spacers out.

When I talked to the sales person he told me that part of the price was removing the fender shirts which is time consuming so made there is quite a lot of labor in installing the rails

Grit dog wrote:

MFL wrote:
If you use custom mounting brackets for your exact truck, doing the install yourself would be pretty simple. The brackets and new Reese rails would be short of $400.

To answer your question...$800 is TOO MUCH.

Jerry

I suppose geography and cost of living need to be considered if you think $400 for installation is TOO MUCH.
Around here that get ya about 2.5 hours of a tech.

Missed this post.

The Reese rails/brackets are overpriced too. New B&W rails/custom fit no drill brackets are $260 (E-trailer), and very high quality. However, unless I was not capable of doing this install, I'd much prefer to do it myself, and know it was done right.

I made my living as a white collar professional, but also learned a bit about wrenching, drilling, measuring, when growing up. I did my first hitch rail install in one evening, using universal brackets, and frame drilling. A friend helped, also no experience, but had same hitch, in same year/model truck. So looked at his, as we did mine. Hard drilling, but not hard job.

Did another rail install, next new truck, same hitch, same universal mounts, lots of drilling. Just myself, and 125 lb partner. She helped measure, and handed tools etc. Using quality custom fit brackets, would have almost fit in the fun category.

I get satisfaction from doing jobs that I can do myself. I'm sure you do too Grit, even though we could afford to hire it out.

Jerry

^Totally agree with you and you’re correct.
I was only commenting on the non diy approach that the OP was asking aboot.
Cheers man!

hitchikerman wrote:
When I talked to the sales person he told me that part of the price was removing the fender shirts which is time consuming so made there is quite a lot of labor in installing the rails

Still presuming you don’t have pucks? Only asking because a fairly high % of newer HD trucks come with 5ver prep, and even more common if it’s a high option truck like yours that has wheel well liners.
Regardless, you’re now hearing bullsheet stories from the salesman. Actually playin you for a sucker if he’s saying there’s significant labor time involved with removing the rear fender well liners. (Presuming you don’t actually have the only new Duramax sporting actual fender skirts, which are different than wheel well liners.)
Although you could call his bluff and get a quote without fender liners, lol. Go look at your truck. They’re flexible plastic and likely held in by 6 or 9 little push pins/retainer thingamajiggys. I’d give em 5 min/ ea to install or remove.

Call U-Haul for a quote. They do a lot of hitch work.