How hard is it to install this hitch? I did the install on my turbo so im not a total twit!

 

I did mine myself, and I thought it was pretty easy.

Be sure you have the measurement exact before you cut the hole.

If you have a die grinder and some primer on hand, you can clean up the edges where you have to make cuts/holes and prevent rust.

Also, I couldn't get a drill underneath by the exhaust pipe to drill the holes for the safety chain ancors, so I used a dremel tool to make a pilot hole so I could drill from the top and still hit the predrilled holes in the hitch framework.

I used red high strength lock tite when I assembled mine for a little extra security, but if I were to do it again, I would just torque to recommended values, use it for a few thousand miles to let everything kind of settle in, then locktite and torque everything again...

A stool, saw horse or whatever and a ratcheting tie down is really handy to hold the center part of the hitch frame in place...

I also kept the 4" disk from the hole saw, figuring if I sell the truck I can weld it back in and have the bedliner touched up.

Anyway, the directions can be downloaded from their site. It is pretty straight forward.



EDIT: There is a photo of my hitch setup in my gallery, if interested....

 

I also installed my B&W myself, Jeff in TD has most of the details covered pretty well. It's easy other than holding the hitch in place with one hand while trying to get the bolts started with the other hand. I used a rat-tail file and some touch up paint to clean up the 4" hole and prevent rust from starting. I found it convenient to remove the spare tire while working under the truck, makes moving around under there much easier.

 

I did the install also. The directions were clear - just read and follow them and you should be o.k.

The worst part was the worry about cutting the hole.

Go for it.

Good luck,


George

 

Did mine also. Piece of cake, once you get over worrying about cutting the hole in the bed.

 

I agree with charcoal, remove the spare tire, makes install a heck of alot easier.

 

You folks that did your own install, did you line the bed up with the cab 1st? I'm asking because I've notice that most all the Rams beds don't line up even.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm gonna go for it this weekend. I will double check the bed spacing from the cab

 

I did not align the bed. I just measured twice, cut once, and it was perfect. I have the fifth wheel rails as well, and I had about an 1/8" clearance. It was perfect. It took me about 5 hours, but I had to modify the fifth wheel mounts, plus I had to put on airbags over the gooseneck mount. Like I said before, take out the spare tire as it will help with the install.

 

Will the B&W gooseneck hitch work with a plastic drop in bedliner?

 

I don't see why it wouldn't, other than you would have to cut a hole for the ball and the safety chain ancors.

I had a drop-in on my last truck, and after a while they tend to chafe paint off in places. I'd be a bit concerned that the holes for the hitch would add a place for water to get under the drop-in to that mix...

If you don't have a liner yet, I'd recommend going spray on if you are going to run a goose neck or 5th wheel hitch with a bedliner... I went with Speedliner, which was actually tougher to cut through with the 4" hole saw than the steel bed was.

 

another thing, if you go with a spray in liner, wait untill after you get your hitch installed and then get the bed sprayed. it will get all the exposed cuts sprayed to prevent rusting too

 

Did the install with a buddy of mine on my truck. Took us about 3 hours and the toughest part was cutting the hole in the bed.