5th Wheel Hitch Installation on 2017 Ram 4500 Cab and Chassis

Updated 09/10/2018 | Published 09/08/2018

Question:

I bought a new Ram 4500 truck cabin and chassis, my seller install the fifth wheel for a fee. But I think that the work is done incorrectly and poorly. I believe that the fastening that they made is very weak and dangerous. Even there are no rings for safety chains. What do you think about the installation of the fifth wheel in this way? I think this is very dangerous, there must be a solid steel plate. Tell me where I can get the rules for installing the fifth wheel. I paid a lot of money for the installation. I need to start working on this truck. But I think that I was deceived and I am in despair. How am I supposed to prove that they installed the fifth wheel is unsafe?

asked by: Vitaly

Expert Reply:

Any 5th wheel hitch must be secured to the truck's frame. With standard pickups that have a bed the hitch will attach to brackets that attach to the truck frame. In an installation like yours where the vehicle frame is accessible the hitch can be mounted directly to the frame rails without the need for installation brackets. Please note that 5th wheel hitches do not require safety chains.

From your photo I cannot see enough of the installation to say whether or not it is correct and safe but what is visible in your photo appears to be fine. As long as the plates the hitch is mounted on are themselves welded or bolted to the truck frame then the installation should be okay.

expert reply by: Adam R