imbodie

I want to put a 5th wheel hitch in my truck, is Reese a good hitch?
How much would a 15k hitch be worth? and how hard would it be to install?

Thanks,
-Tim

SundayMoney

Reese makes good stuff.

A 15k Reese hitch can be had for $350-400 and up in price from there.

As far as the install goes,I guess it really depends on how skilled you are. If you have a hard time changing your oil,its probably not for you.

If you don't mind doing your own brakes and things like that it'll likely be a snap.

Thundercraft

New or used? Check your local papers/craigslist etc. I just picked up (no pun intended ) a nearly new double pivot, slider hitch for $500 which is a bit more than I wanted to pay (but it is RV season now after all) but when I talked to my dealer he said I sole it from the guy as that hitch is a $1400 hitch. I don't need the slider, but this was still a lot cheaper than just a double pivot hitch. It is a Hijacker which is made in Victoria, BC - as I'm Canadian I should by a local product.

My previous hitch was a Reece and I had no problems with it, but my dealer couldn't install it (he was going to, but his shop foreman said no way). Apparently it hadn't been made since the late 70's.
I think that was probably testament to its quality.

If you do a search here you will find plenty of commentary on a lot of different hitches - some love Reece, others - well they have their opinions.

As far as installation - I installed the hitch with the fellow who sold me my 5th wheel (OK, truth be known.... he really did most of the work ).
That experience was enough for me - I'm going to have my dealer install this hitch for me - I think he wants $325 which is the same that it would have cost if I bought the hitch from him. I'll save bashing my knuckles for other jobs that I haven't found out yet that I really don't like.

imbodie

I found a complete hitch, in my home town for $125, its a 15k hitch and they said they would work with me on the cost.... and supposedly it had all the hardware to mount it with, though I think I'd want new bolts....

Think it would be worth the money? (sorta sounds like a DUH, after what you posted for a hitch where your at). Basic maintenance is something I enjoy, but I don't have the tools to do even brake work on my truck, so I guess paying for an install would be a definite thing to do.

Thanks for the input,
-Tim

JuzPlaneKrazy

Reese is a good hitch. You'll pay around $500-$700 for a good standard hitch, a slider will cost you as much as $1000 to $2K for a top of the line brand.
If your pretty handy and can do a brake job on your own truck, you can install a hitch.

Det 1

I've put a 5th wheel hitch in each of my last two trucks; a '93 1st Gen and my current '04.5. It was tougher with the 3rd Gen because of where the fuel tank is mounted and the brake line that goes along the left side of the frame was very close to being in the way of where a hole would have to be drilled for the one of the mounting brackets. I decided to weld the mounting brackets to the frame. You do need to ensure that the pivot point will be just slightly ahead of the rear axle. I set mine about 2 inches forward of the axle.

Bill1374

Go to Reeses' web site and you can read the instalation instructions. It's not a hard project. Just watch your drilling on the drivers side front bracket as you're near the fuel tank. Definitely get a new bolt package. IFIC, about 60 bucks from the dealer, but well worth it. Buy a new bit as you need 8 holes in the frame.
Thats a good price on the hitch. Is it a double pivot? I paid $250 for my 18k Reese used last year with brackets.

Bill

imbodie

I don't understand "double pivot" I do know that it's not a slider. It has the rails, bolts and the "hitch" that clips into the rails with 4 pins. Is a 15k hitch big enough? I saw mention of an 18k hitch???

-Tim

cincydiesel

I love my B&W Turnover with Companion. Found mine for $350 in the paper and took only about 1 hour to install. Just be sure to measure then measure again before cutting that hole in the bed

blownsmoke

Be carefull buying used. I have a 16K husky hitch in mine. I bought it new and installed it in my Chevy. I just changed to the Dodge and I had to buy new mounting brackets and bolts and it cost me $230... I only paid $500 for the hitch new.

2006Mega

i thought you could not drill dodges frame to mount anything?

blownsmoke

Correct! The brackets are clamp on but you still have to drill through the bed to bolt to the brackets. Did it this past weekend. Not too bad at all.

SundayMoney

Double pivot means it moves front and back and side to side. You could probably tow for a long time and never need the SxS pivot,but the one time you have to fight to hitch up because it doesn't pivot SxS would be worth it to me.

SundayMoney

You can drill or weld to the 3rd gen frames. Dodge actually released a TSB concerning this. There is a specific set of instructions on how and where you can drill,but you can do it.

blownsmoke

I stand corrected. However, the clamp on is real easy and the holes for the outter brackets are already in the frame. There is even hole in the hat section of the box but you still have to drill from the top down.