• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

fifth wheel question


4x4mike2004

New Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2007
Messages
450
Reaction score
6
Points
0
Age
38
Location
Hazleton PA
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.squirill
Transmission
Automatic
i picked up a 5th wheel trailer and hitch from my buddy for a good price, however there are no frame to bed brackets with it. the 5the wheel mounting plate is wider than my frame. i have support brackets and cross pieces cut up to fit in between the frame and bed. would it be better to just weld it all together and weld it to the frame, or use a bunch of grade 8 bolts?
The truck is a dodge ram 2500 short bed, and the trailer is a 15 footer. I'm also a pretty good welder too.
 


martin

New Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
3,218
Reaction score
26
Points
0
Age
77
Location
St Bruno, Quebec
Vehicle Year
1984
1991
Make / Model
ford
Transmission
Manual
I would bolt it, I don't like stuff welded to frames but that's just my opinion.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,192
Reaction score
17,487
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual

orfordguy@yahoo.com

New Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2009
Messages
99
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Sweet Home Or
Vehicle Year
1986
1978
197
Make / Model
Ford
Ford
For
Engine Size
The bigger the better
Transmission
Manual
My credo
i know something about almost everything but not everything about anything.
hitch

my supercab has a 15K DTI hitch in it.. no brackets to start with made my own out of 1/2 plate and grade 8 bolts to both the hitch and frame... pulled a 40' 3 slide fifth wheel from K falls back to eugene for a freind before the engine gave up 2 months later...grade 8s and lock tight...:icon_thumby:
 

Jspafford

Logan Andrew Feb 17, 2012
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Joined
Jan 2, 2001
Messages
8,012
Reaction score
15
Points
38
Age
40
Location
Lancaster, Ohio
Vehicle Year
2016
Make / Model
Chevy 3500HD
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
6.6L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
5"
Tire Size
35"
Use bolts... believe me.

The kits have two bolts per bracket...which makes 8 total to the frame.
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
The answer is unequivocally no, you cannot use your new 5th wheel hitch on your Excursion.
 

Captain Ledd

Well-Known Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
2,384
Reaction score
39
Points
48
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1984, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
302, 2.3
Transmission
Manual
My credo
If you're not making mistakes, you're not learning.

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
Its a joke.

True story, guy goes and buys a new suburban, goes down to the trailer and towing equipment store to get a hitch put on, comes back to the dealer irate because they told him he could tow with it and the trailer shop is telling him that they can't put a 5th wheel on it.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

Well-Known Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
8,207
Reaction score
5,961
Points
113
Location
Butler, PA, USSA
Vehicle Year
95
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.9L
Transmission
Manual
Its a joke.

True story, guy goes and buys a new suburban, goes down to the trailer and towing equipment store to get a hitch put on, comes back to the dealer irate because they told him he could tow with it and the trailer shop is telling him that they can't put a 5th wheel on it.
I wish I knew where it could be found at, I'm sure pictures are still floating around on the net... guy took a chevy blazer (the lil one), rigged up a sort of tailgate on the back and mounted the 5th wheel hitch to that, then hooked up a 5th wheel camper trailer...
 

Ozwynn

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
6,505
Reaction score
200
Points
63
Age
47
Location
Berrien Springs, MI
Vehicle Year
2022
Make / Model
RE Interceptor
Transmission
Manual
My credo
If you can't go through it or around it, then go over it.
there is a converter dolly available to tow a 5er with a Suburban/ Excursion. Jspafford has even posted a pic of one before.
 

mattpresley

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
1,827
Reaction score
13
Points
38
Age
33
Location
Mesa, AZ
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
FORD F-250
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
6.2
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
there is a converter dolly available to tow a 5er with a Suburban/ Excursion. Jspafford has even posted a pic of one before.
No I am extremely curious bdab. Please go on.
 
Last edited:

Ozwynn

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
6,505
Reaction score
200
Points
63
Age
47
Location
Berrien Springs, MI
Vehicle Year
2022
Make / Model
RE Interceptor
Transmission
Manual
My credo
If you can't go through it or around it, then go over it.
Last edited:

heptofite

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
1,697
Reaction score
62
Points
48
Vehicle Year
2019
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
that dolly would be horrifyingly unstable.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top