Im installing my 5th wheel hitch soon and was curious if most people bolt their brackets in or weld them. Im refering to the "L" brackets that come with the kit.

 

Bolt it. It's hard to move or change something that's welded.

 

And since chances are you don't know the makeup of the steel used in the frame, you run the risk of creating a weak weld.

 

Welding on a frame is considered a tabo, because a frame will flex and the weld will inhibit the frame from flexing. Bolting is the way to go.

 

The only reason I ask is because on the website that guides install, they say either double bolt or use the optional weld. Just curious if anyone has welded one in?

 

Welding underneath a vehicle is such a PITA - we only do it when it's necessary, like welding the trackbar drop-mount bracket to the front clip.

 

My hitch has two plates bolted together like a sandwich with the frame in the middle. It's strong, doesn't compromise the frame and can be easily removed if ever needed.

 

I want to get a gooseneck ball for mine and another friend had his welded in, I did not like that option. I have always seen on the big trucks the little sticker that says, "do not weld or drill frame". So if it was me, grade 8 bolts and locknuts or washers for me.

 

Like the rest said,bolt em'
The reason they get welded so often I think is that it does not take long,just weld down the sides and its done..no holes and most places that are installing for you really don't care much about your truck,they want it done now so they can get to the next one.

 

I vote for the bolt in as well. Also to the above about the gooseneck ball, they make a plate with gooseneck ball attached that pins into the rails where the fifth wheel pins in. I have a REESE with the Reese gooseneck plate attachment. This way you don't have to cut a hole in the bed for a ball.

 

I've pulled commercial [flat bed GNs with equipment and steel for truck stop canaopys] before to make my living and I will not allow a bolt on hitch on any of my trucks. Too many lose bolts and elongated holes when pullin' heavy. My '03 2500 that pulls my 11200 lb 5er has the brkts welded. Our truck frames are a weld assembly from one end to the other.
All the servise bodys/feeder bodys/flat beds/etc around here would rather weld as there will be no lose bolts or chafing problems later down the road. If you decide to bolt have the bolt heads and nuts tack welded.
JIM

 

yeah I am with you on the welding! Some places wont let you touch a load if it isnt welded in!

Back in high school I worked at a welding/Ag shop and we put tons of gooseneck hitches in. We would stack 2 pieces of channel iron together the top piece a 6" and the bottom a 4" flipped over on the inside of the 6" drill holse through the centers and then weld in a machined collor for the ball to drop in. Then we would cut the ends of the channel so that it would lip in between the frame rails and weld that baby up with some low high rods.

If you do it this way it takes way longer than a bolt in job plus if you ever get hit or in a bad wreck that baby isnt going anywhere and you can keep control of it.

 

Every class 8 truck fifth wheel is bolted on. I've driven trucks that I've owned for 750,000 miles and never had to put a wrench on a bolt or nut on the fifth wheel.

 

I know on some of the Cat machines it was always tricky as to what could be welded on and what couldn't. Just depends on if the item is high stress or if it needs to flex. Some large plates were bolted on because of the twist and vibration over time would work the solid piece over so the bolted system allowed for a little flex however minor it may be, a little can go a long way. As per my Lead technical analyst in Il.

Pretty much up to the end user in our world of trucks. Welding is more permanent where bolts can be taken off if the hitch needs repairs.

 

I too have the fifth wheel and the gooseneck with the rails. I bolted, and by getting the gooseneck also, you get additional hardware that gives you the opertunity to add more bolts in the rails, which I have done. I check the torque every so often and have yet to see any come loose. Go with the bolts.