Anybody out there install their own 5th wheel hitch?

[JFM-jr]

Spent the better part of the day installing a Reese "custom mount vehicle specific" hitch that is specific for my truck. Heres the advertised description.

"Reese part # 56004 is Custom Quick Install bracket kit for a fifth wheel hitch. The kit includes vehicle specific brackets that line up with existing mounting locations on the frame for a quick simple installation."

What a dumbass I was believing this sometimes it pays to pay and have the work done by a shop. I got about 90% of it done I just need to fasten the bracket to the frame rails. This was supposedly a no drill kit well guess what it needs drilling. I got my ass kicked today hopefully finish it up in the morning.

[davel1971]

I put one in my 2014 Chevy a few months ago. Took about 4 hours start to finish. I assume the drilling you are referring to is for the bolts securing the bed rails?

[Todouble]

I used the same Reese custom mount kit and took about 4 hours too. No drilling in the truck frame for me just the 10 holes on the truck bed to bolt my universal bed rails to the custom brackets. I also assume that this is what you had to drill?? Definitely take off the back wheels and drop the spare. It makes a huge difference!

[cpaulsen]

Did minein a Chevy......then swapped to a Superduty....removed the hitch and put it in the Ford....about 3-4 hours each. Mine was not a custom no-drill mount. I had to drill holes.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

I let two experienced guys at a locally owned rv repair shop install mine...1.5hrs later, DONE!
Best $200 bucks I spent and got some business done while waiting on the work

[JFM-jr]

The drilling in the bed for the rails is the easy part. there are supposed to be 2 holes in the frame rails on each side of the truck to bolt the brackets to. My truck for some reason only has one on each side (the rears). I looked at the diagram 10 times even called Reese and the tech there says " I have never ever seen a GMC or Chevy without that front hole in the frame". Surprise surprise I own the one lol even offered to email him a picture. The rear holes are there but when I tighten them to the prescribed 210 ft lbs the washers the supply fold up. Trucks on jackstands wheels are off spare is out.

[campingwilliamsons]

I did mine as well, ~ 4 hours. Keep in mind when you are putting the hardware on for the rails that some truck frames have holes in the top that the hardware can fall through. I learned that the hard way. A little duct tape and I was set.

[muddyrode]

I just upgraded to 2012 silverado 2500hd Duramax the truck had a B&W turnover
i had my pullrite superglide off my old truck, so looking at the install guides for both hitches i deceided to try to put both back on as i can just pull one out and use the other if needed, they both bolt to the frame in the same place the B&W uses the same front 2 holes on the frame that the superglide does, the superglide bracket stand off's mounts to the inside and sits on top of the frame the B&W has ears that face to the outside so needed some longer bolts for the frame mounts and then had to put some longer bolts on the back bracket of the B&W and shim it back just a bit to clear the superglide brackets and just a little mod for the ball release lever on the B&W and it's done both are on both work great. took about 6 hours but that was to take the B&W off and put both back on and drill the bed holes run to town get the hardware.

[jbrostek]

I have never used the custom mounts. Drilling is no issue, just measure lots drill once. But make sure you have 3-4 high speed steel bits. the larger the bit the slower you run the drill or you will burn out the bit. A good sign of proper speed is getting the nice spirals or just nice sized flakes.