i just bought a valley 5'er 15K hitch. but i question the bed rail install. the rail that is closest to the back of the cab is only mounted through the bed and connects to the cross rails under the bed, with only 2 square brackets that are tighted. should that bed rail be bolted to the frame of the truck or is that the norm? the rear rail is bolted to the frame and looks fine. and also the whole hitch is a little behind the center of the axle. i do have a long bed, just curious bout that also.

 

did i ask a difficult question???

 

i guess no one here has a 5'er hitch after 70 views and no replies

 

have hope, its the weekend and usually slow here.

I dont have a 5er so I cant help.

 

Wish I could help you out ,I got a different setup.

The behind the axle thing doesn't sound right for a long bed install, I guess it would help with clearence on a shortbed. I have never installed rails in a truck before but it seem to me that you'd want the both rails on each end attached to the frame.

I'm sure someone will chime in here with some experience.

T398

 

The hitch should be mounted over the axle, not behind it. The front rail has to be mounted to the frame, be it bolted to or bracket around the frame. Do not attempt to tow with it being only bolted to the bed bracket.

 

http://www.valleyindustries.com/Imag...Number=p39.jpg
Is this the hitch you have?

http://www.valleyindustries.com/ISHEETS/70530.pdf if so this is the pdf for the instructions.

 

If I remember right on the valleys it just has one 5/8" bolt on each side of the rail holding it down? (Reese uses two 1/2" bolts on each side of the rail to hold it down which is what I usually install) Both bolt should be bolted to the frame via a bracket. If you just use the 2" spacer good chance you will damage the bed and possibly loose the hitch and/or trailer.

 

I installed a 16K Valley in my truck. There were 2 potions on installing one for 2" forward and one for centered over axle. The one I went with ran 5" bolts through bed rail and top flange of frame. The rear brackets went to L brackets on side of the frame. Worked great for at least 20,000 miles of towing. jmack9288