My truck had a Reese fifth wheel which the previous owner removed. The brackets were bolted to the frame.

How is your hitch installed? Are your brackets welded to the truck frame?

Im looking for a hitch for my truck and am trying to find out if I can bolt it with the existing holes. Or should I just not worry about finding the same hitch and weld the brackets to the frame .

Any recomendations on a hitch brand? Id like a dual pivot head.

Thanks Rick

 

I have installed my hitch in 3 trucks, and have always bolted on the frame brackets. I believe bolting has great strength, and still allows for removal when changing trucks. If it was me, I would try to find the same hitch, so I could reuse all the original holes. But that's just me.

 

3rd Gen reccomended to bolt only & all makes now have them that do exactly that.

 

Thanks , I looked at a couple trucks and they are bolted . Maybe the Guy at the hitch install place said they weld them because its easyer and faster for them

I Didnt like the Idea of welding on the truck frame

Rick

 

Rick,
Reese and a couple of other mfgs pretty much use the same mounting rail setup. Drawtite and Valley I believe and maybe HiddenHitch. Check hitch and mounting rail prices at etrailer.com and kearbyrv.com I've purchased from both places. The Reese 15K Pro comes with the mounting rail kit.
SteveB

 

Welding on the frame is a big no-no. Bolt it. If anything happens and things need to flex, the bolts will flex, where the weld will break. Easier to replace a bolt on the side of the road than it is to reweld it.

 

I looked at a guys RBW he was selling used and set the rails and head in my bed. Lines up same as a Reese. I offered the guy $150 for it and he said no he wants $350 for his beat up old hitch.

I found a new one earlyer today for $350 . Its the one the RV place had on display. They were selling the RBW lil rockers they had in stock on sale for $379 but they ran out.