jlscjs
Sharpsville, IN USA
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Joined: 08/06/2002
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Has anyone installed 5th wheel hitch rails on a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500? I was told by the dealer that one has to use the bolt-on brackets on the frame, no drilling and no welding (voids frame warranty). I kept my Reese hitch but need new rails installed. I found them on-line ($200) and the install doesn't look to difficult. Just wondering if anyone has installed them on their own and if so how hard to do? Don't want to pay the $500 quoted to install them. Price was $700 for rails and install, think that's a little steep.
Retired and lovin it!!
2001 Coachman Royal 279SA 5ver
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Bionic Man
Colorado
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Joined: 04/03/2009
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I remember going through this when I got my brand new 2003. I don't think the frame has changed since then (although it will with the new 2010). You are allowed to drill through the frame, but the holes have to be spaced appropriately. I remember contacting Dodge directly to get the requirements.
You could probably check with the parts department of your dealership to get the specifics.
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 HO Cummins
2002 Sea Hawk 32' 5er
2004 Crownline 216 LS 350 MAG
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GaryGus
Sanger, California
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Get the Reese Custom Install kit. It's easy to install once you carefully place the rear rail. From there, everything is straightforward. Just did mine. Took about 4 hours, and I'm slow.
Gary and Donna
2009 Dodge Dually Quad Cab 3500 4WD
2005 Hitchhiker II 29.5 LKTG
"Greetings from the sunny San Joaquin Valley"
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boatdoc
South Coast Oregon
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Don't drill the frame!! The clamp on brackets are MUCH easier to do. You just have to fish the bolts up though the frame with the special wire the kits have. I know it seems kind of fishy and I really wondered about it waiting for the kit but it's staightforward and not hard at all. I'm a mechanic and just couldn't see fishing the bolts through but it worked out great.
2008 Dodge CTD 3500 QC/LB 4X4 SLT
2009 Heartland BigHorn 3670 w/all the trimmin's
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Luke Porter
Not on the road :(
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Joined: 10/03/2000
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I did it using the clamp brackets awhile back.
I ran into a problem getting the spacers inside the side box channel supports. Wound up drilling holes in the box floor big enough for the spacers.
$500---that's way outa whack.
Yep, actually drove to all of these places---in the last eight years. Missed Rhode Island and New Jersey.
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robertbick
Upstate NY
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jlscjs wrote:...no drilling and no welding (voids frame warranty)...
Dodge uses Lippert frames?  
Bob
2008 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4X4 LTZ
2010 Keystone Cougar 276RLS Pictures
PullRite Superglide 14K Hitch
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Dodge does require specific brackets. You cannot use the universal bracket kits. They are not cheap but appear relatively easy to install.
Donn
Finally able to camp again after a two year hiatus.
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Arcamper
Fayetteville, AR
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I installed my SuperGlide myself and it was easy on the Dodge and Ford. The Dodge does use clamp on brackets and the only problem I had was the spacers that go inside the frame to keep from crushing it when you tighten them down. I had to trim about a 32nd off each one so they would fit. Other than that I have pulled the camper about 4,000 miles now with the Dodge and it has been flawless. $500 to install will have someone laughing all the way to the bank...
2007 Keystone Laredo 29RL 5th
2008 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab SLT HD 4x4 6.7 Cummins with EB,6 speed auto
2003 Ford F-250 SD Crew Cab 4x4 6.0 Diesel
1994 Chevy 1500 5.7 extended cab PU
Pullrite 16k Superglide with Super Rail kit
Brakesmart & Prodigy P3
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dieselhorse
Portland, Texas
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Dodge does allow the box frame to be drilled. However they stipulate 1-1/2" between hole centers and from the edge of the frame (visit the cummins forum if you want to look up the document). Using the standard brackets will not allow the 1-1/2" from frame edge in the front left top bolt because of interfrence with a little cable hanger--which of course is bolted on through a hole in the frame.
Nevertheless, I installed a Reese 16k slider in our 2007 2500 CTD and drilled the frame (as stated, fishing the bolts is no problem). Heres why I drilled. The truck had a clamp on gooseneck that I removed. It had slipped forward about 1/2" and rode up on the frame joint and bent the bed slightly at the ball.
I went to the biggest RV service dealer in the area where I observed two 1 tons belonging to customers (same identical frame as 2500) with a 20k and a huge air ride hitch and both had the box frame drilled with standard mounting brackets--same as my little 16k Reese. I ask a tech in the shop and he said they drill because they do not trust the clamp on brackets when the hairy happens.
As to the frame warranty, there are about a half million box frames out there pulling heavy--and probably most of them over the stated carrying capacity--which have been drilled and I have never heard of a frame failure on any of the Dodge forums.
That said, you be the judge as to what feels comfortable to you. The clamp on brackets are no doubt easier to install. Just wanted to throw in a few extra facts. Happy trails.
'07 Dodge 2500 quad short 4x4 w/5.9 CTD, 48RE, Reese 16k slider
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SRockwood
San Diego
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As long as they're tight, the brackets should not slip, since the clamp load is what should always support the item, not the hole.
Maybe those of us with the clamp on kits should check them every once in a while to make sure they don't loosen up?
With an HD Dodge, Reese says you need the custom brackets. I would just get the whole kit (#50062). I just bought the kit sans rails for $109 from American RV:
http://www.americanrvcompany.com/search.asp?keyword=50062&search=GO
This link has the kit with and without rails (nice for those who bought their hitch used). Do it yourself and save a lot of money.
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