To me, that TSB is not really very restrictive at all. Most of what it says is just common sense-don't drill huge holes, don't put holes right beside each other, don't put holes right at the top or bottom of the frame, don't set yourself on fire with the welder, don't set the gas tank on fire with the welder, and use ordinary protective gear when welding.

 

Exactly, I'm not sure how everbody turns that into "NO WELDING"

The only thing that may scare some people off is the part that says if you weld it, you bought it! But, you can't expect DC to warrant somebody elses work now can ya?

 

Ok so you can weld on it.Why when the majority of hitchs,gooesneck and other wise are bolt on.Bolt ons probaby go on much faster,more installers can install and you DON't have to worry about the quality of someones weld failing.Your comment about not having a problems with your welded one as of YET.So if and when you do have a problem how will you know? When the gooesneck your pulling looks like its got a frisbee puling it down the road.I DO KNOW that bolt on bumber pull hitchs use to have big notes on them that said Don't weld.I personaly would trust the correct grade bolts and brackets to someones welding.You want a welded on hitch fine,weld it.I'll stick with bolt ons that at least can be removed and used in the next truck or if someone else buys it can be removed etc.

 

TSB says "4. Any through frame fasteners that torque down on both external surfaces of the frame rail must use an Internal spacer/reinforcement to prevent crushing the rail tube."

Just from memory, but I do not remember any placed to sllip in the required spacer.

Any tips on getting the internal spacer in there?

 

Okay, so this is coming down to personal preference. I'll accept that. But the myth that "these new hydroformed frames can't be welded on" is misleading to new truck owners who know nothing about welding and are asking legitimate questions.

The frame is steel, welders weld steel, there are welds on these frames from the factory, the factory just doesn't want to accept liability for a bad weld, or an ill placed hole for that matter.

Can you imagine the look in the eyes of a life long welder looking at the guy in the shirt and tie saying ............. well yanno, the guys at DTR says you can't weld that hitch in, you need to bolt it Kinda makes us all look bad if you think about it.

 

What grade of bolt is that?

Are they ANSI standard or are they imported imitations?

Yes it's cheaper for an installer to bolt rather than weld ......... on that note is he using imported bolts to save even more money?

The cheapest solution is not always the best solution .......... just the cheapest.

 

My '04 has it both welded and bolted. Its been that way for 75k without any problems, but I'm new here so what do I know.

 

everything you did before you got here, plus a little more

 

Ain't that the truth!

 

The hitch's come with all the hardware.I bet all the hitch manufactures supply the correct grade.The liabiltys if one came loose would be immence.So I would assume theres a fudge factor involved also.Its not like some guy looking through cans or tool box drawers looking for nuts and bolts.If you look at mine(B&W turnover ball etc)the way its attacthed it would no easy feat for it to ever just break off under any circumstances.I would trust the ways its attached a lot more then I would a welded bead.

 

Amen to what Hounddog said. You can,t go wrong with it 30,000 lb. Gooseneck capacity. 18,500 for Fifth wheel Companion

 

Hitch brand wasn't the question, thats all personal preference.

Welded vs. bolted is personal preference as well.

The original question was if the hitch could be welded and then popped up the "CANNOT WELD" myth

 

Well ok it can be welded.BUT WHY would you want too.Chance of poor welding or welds,fire,removing or burning off paint and anti corrodsion matierial,repainting frame after such burning,chance of blowing ecm if whoever forgets to unhook batterys etc.Plus having NO clue to how stong the welded on one is as the bolt ons are tested and the same box after box.If you want a welded one go for it.The bolts on only take a hour to two hours to install and if same generation can be swapped to the next new truck if so desire.I'm into horses(30 plus head)and I listen to folkes who STILL MIX there own grain rations.I guess the mix at home method is better the the FEED companys rations who have the SAME considencey bag after bag and its even got a easy to read label stating such.

 

I'm into horses as well. Do I order a custom mix? No. I do however mix my feed 50-50 from two different mills. One is too dusty and the other too wet, so I mix the two. Thats my preference.

Do I have problem hauling my horses on a welded goose hitch? No. But thats my preference, and I'm not trying to force it on anyone. I was only pointing out that these frames can be welded on ......... nothing more nothing less.

Personally, my hitch doesn't even have a name brand

I'ts a plate of steel welded across the frame rails with a threaded hole in the middle to thread the ball into. The company I paid $200 to do this has been installing hitches since probably before I was born. They also build flat bed and livestock trailers. I doubt that they would have been in business long if their hitches fell off or their trailers fell apart.

Again, it really doesn't matter to me how anybody does their hitch (welded vs bolted), I was merely pointed out that welding can in fact be done on our frames .......K?

 

I was in a Freightliner store last week.. they had an ambulance on a small chassis.... The body builder.... (company that put the ambulance on the chassis) had welded to the T-1 alloy frame... the truck had 2500 miles and the crack in the frame rail was about 18" long.... it was noticed when the truck was back to have something else added..... They had ground off all the rivets and punched them out... they had been waiting for about 2 months for a section of frame from Freightliner.....

Most heat treated alloy frames have an approved drilling and riveting procedure... but welding heat fractures the metal until it breaks.... BTW - this was not a warranty repair the body builder was picking up the tab..... Most large truck builders use a heat treated frame for added strength...

Jim