First timer with 5th wheel hitch question

[mrad]

n July I purchased Chevrolet 3500 Duramax. I had previously had a 5th wheel hitch in it. The prior owner told me he had a Reese 16,000 lb non slider hitch that was in it. He was selling that hitch separately and offered it to me. I was thinking I wanted an auto slide and did not purchase the Reese. A local RV repair shop knew I was looking for a 5th wheel hitch and contacted me and told me they had a consignment pullrite auto slide 16,000lb auto slide that the owner wanted $700 for and they would install it for $500. When I asked why the price would be $500 for a truck that already had a 5th wheel hitch in it, they said they install them differently and drill holes into the frame as they felt that was a better, safer method. I know nothing about 5th wheel hitches as I am coming from a TT. Does this sound reasonable that the frame should be drilled into to support the pullrite hitch?

[mrad]

I have a 6.5' bed.

[lee_worsdell]

you don't need a slider if its a long bed 3500. I have the reese rails with a patriot hitch. I also have a 40 gallon aux fuel tank and my 7000 honda in the back and still have lots of room.

[ACZL]

mrad wrote:

ACZL wrote:
There are holes in frame already and aftermarket rails made by B&W, Reese will bolt right onto it. You do NOT weld frame at all. Big No-No. Only holes to be drilled would be in box floor for frame rails to bolt onto bed rails.

Would this be the same for Pullrite super glide and Demco auto-glide?

If so, I see why $500 would be an excessive price for the install.

I haven't a clue as I'm not familiar w/ those brands.

[mrad]

ACZL wrote:
There are holes in frame already and aftermarket rails made by B&W, Reese will bolt right onto it. You do NOT weld frame at all. Big No-No. Only holes to be drilled would be in box floor for frame rails to bolt onto bed rails.

Would this be the same for Pullrite super glide and Demco auto-glide?

If so, I see why $500 would be an excessive price for the install.

[garyp4951]

If it previously had a rail type hitch, and the owner took them out, then just get a set of rails, or install a B&W turnover ball, and use several types of hitches.

[ACZL]

There are holes in frame already and aftermarket rails made by B&W, Reese will bolt right onto it. You do NOT weld frame at all. Big No-No. Only holes to be drilled would be in box floor for frame rails to bolt onto bed rails.

[KD4UPL]

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to drill the frame (or was it weld). I would really research that before letting a shop do it "their own way".

[mrad]

Michelle.S wrote:
You don't list the year of your TV, but for my '11 3500 I purchased the rail mounting brackets from Reese that bolted directly to the Frame, only holes that were required were for the attachment of the Rails to the brackets.
I would question someone that said they had their own way of mounting.

sorry, 2013.

Old Biscuit, I will have to go back and view the replies again. I recall one post telling me they thought $500 was a bit high. I do not recall mentioning in that post that the vehicle had already had a 5th wheel hitch on it. A friend of mine told me the other day that he had a pullrite and it had clamps that go around the frame. If that's all that is needed, and my truk has the box drill through for a fifth wheel hitch, I am trying to figure out why the frame would need to be drilled through.

[Old-Biscuit]

Question ASKED and Answered in your post back on 8/21........????

[Michelle_S]

You don't list the year of your TV, but for my '11 3500 I purchased the rail mounting brackets from Reese that bolted directly to the Frame, only holes that were required were for the attachment of the Rails to the brackets.
I would question someone that said they had their own way of mounting.