Drilling Holes in Truck Bed to Install 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Installation Kit on a 2005 Dodge Ram

Updated 02/22/2012 | Published 02/17/2012

Question:

looking to purchase this kit ASAP. but have a few question first. I printed off the directions and confused on where and why i would need to drill 1-1/8inch holes for a 1/2 bolt? I dont find the details very helpful. Would you happen to have a video available for my application? This kit would be everything i would need correct?

asked by: Devon

Expert Reply:

It looks like you are referring to step 7-d of the installation instructions for the 5th wheel trailer hitch installation kit # RP50140-58, linked for reference. Step 7 refers to installing the rear frame brackets under the truck. The holes drilled through the bed are there so you can attach the above bed rails to the under bed brackets.

The holes need to be enlarged because you will be inserting tube spacers with the bolts (step 10). The bolts for the center of the rails do not require a spacer. The spacers are only needed on the 2 forward holes on the rear rail. Take a look at figure 1 at parts 13 and 14. Part 13 is the bolt and part 14 is the spacer.

On the front rail, 2 different spacers are needed for the bolt holes at the rear of the front rail. We do not have a video at this time showing the installation kit being installed. The kit includes everything you will need; rails, brackets, and all of the hardware. You just need the tools to perform the installation.

expert reply by: Michael H