Welding - Hitch on 2005 Dodge 1500

bob farrell · Jul 28, 2008

I have a 2005 Dodge 1500 with a factory tow option. Have ordered two bolt on hitches that would not fit. Factory bumper. Anyway I need a hitch bad. Friend says we can get one that is close and do a little fabrication and weld it to the frame. I've heard it's not good to weld to the frame (warranty)and might cause distortion.

What would you guys do and what do I do?? Suggestions please. bob farrell

Anonymous-0 · Jul 28, 2008

You apparently have real dip sticks ordering the hitches for you. Try someone else or maybe another bumper too? Maybe the bumper isn't right?

Rich Va · Jul 28, 2008

Reese makes receiver hitchs that will bolt to your frame. I bought one many years ago from agri-supply to fit a Dodge. Try doing a google search first for Reese hitchs to locate the nearest dealer. They are not expensive.

Rich Va · Jul 28, 2008

reese-hitches.com. free shipping for $150 purchase or more.

IaGary · Jul 28, 2008

We have welded on hundreds of hitches when I worked at the weld shop.

Welding at the very rear of the frame will not hurt any warranty.

We never bought a bolt on. Always made them from scratch.

The shop still does weld on bumper hitches and goose neck balls.

No warranty problems in 32 years. Not a one!

Makes you wonder sometimes when you get a $40,000 pickup in there and you start cutting holes in the box for a goose neck.

The main thing these days with all the computers is to unhook the battery and the alternator before welding.

Gary.

thurlow · Jul 28, 2008

Are these receiver hitches or aftermarket (DMI, Schucks, etc) bumpers/hitches? I've had either one of these (after-market) or a home-made bumper w/hitch on every truck I've owned since 1970. Personally, I would NOT weld one on. Get something that fits and use some grade 8 bolts.

RobMD · Jul 28, 2008

Contact weaver distributing... they sell putnam hitches and reese hitches... I can't see how there couldn't be a hitch for it.

bob farrell · Jul 28, 2008

Thanks for the replys. Forgot to say the two ordered are receiver hitches. One was Reece (through O'Rielys Auto Parts) and the other was something else off the internet. Both fit the main side rails but would not bolt up to the cross member (about a 3/4 in. gap)and was off about 1/2 in. where the vertical bolts go through the bumper.

I am the dipstick that ordered the two according to hitch manufacturers specifications.

Thanks Gary for the "disconnect battery" reminder. bob farrell

paul · Jul 28, 2008

My bolt on hitches do not touch the bumper in any way, one on my Dakota & one is on a mid 90's 1500. They bolt on the frame rails only.

Washers can take care of a 1/2 inch gap. Sounds like the thing was tweaked (wrecked) once upon a time?

--->Paul

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Jul 28, 2008

Try your local Chrysler dealer. There are many things that are much cheaper at the dealer than ElCheapo places like O'Reilly's and are superior quality. Just put brakes on the rear of a Jeep and Chrysler rotors were half the price of O'Reilly's.

Red1 · Jul 28, 2008

Get some 3/16" or 1/4" plate that will match up to the holes...that don't line up to the hitches. Drill holes to match frame holes, line up the bumper on the plates, tack in place. Take the hole thing off and weld up complete. Done this a time or two.

dcarp · Jul 28, 2008

I put a Ranchhand rear bumper on my 3500. It has the receiver built into the bumper. Use it if I can't use the gooseneck in the bed, which is bolted to my frame not welded. Now that a truck costs so much to buy and comes with alloy frame, why would you gamble on the warranty and weld the frame. Any good welding shop can make you a gooseneck to bolt on that is every bit as strong as a welded one. I took the factory receiver hitch off to put the bumper on, look around have to be some used ones around from someone who did the same thing.

KEB1 · Jul 28, 2008

Understand some of the newer frames are hydroformed and shouldn't be welded, unlike the older mild steel frames. Might want to check with the dealer's service department before welding anything. The towing section of your manual may also have something about hitch installation.

Doesn't make sense that no one can find a bolt on hitch that fits. Even with a universal one I've never had to do more than drill a couple extra holes. What does the dealer want for a factory one?

Keith

chvet73 · Jul 28, 2008

Am I missing something here? My 02 Dodge 1500 and my current 04 2500 Dodge with the factory tow package include a hitch. So I'm confused at what you are looking for. But don't weld on the frame. Get a hitch that is made for your truck.

Rick in Michigan · Jul 29, 2008

'Nother thing to keep in mind. You weld it and it breaks while towing and someone gets killed - you're liable.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 31, 2008

Put a hitch on a friends jeep.He had a small camper.The jeep was pretty tender and I told him so.Was able to bolt a 3x1/2 cross bar to the jeeps unibody.Then weld a drawbar I had to the cross bar and a bracket welded to the draw bar and bolted to the bumper.One day I see him hauling a 2 horse trailer with 2 cows in it.I told him he was pressing his luck.He moved a heavy trailer that bent the factory made draw bar downward because of exccesive tongue load.My welds held fine but no one can get me to do any more triler hitch welding for them.If people over load the hitch the welder will be blamed for a failure.Also have seen some badly rusted factory hitches.Saw a couple of fellows who put way too many sheets of plywood on a light rented trailer.They went over a railroad track and broke both spindles off.Bet the trailer mfg got the blame.

ericlb · Jul 31, 2008

i hear ya, it always amazes me that most people have no common sence when it comes to weight capacity we have them here too, ive seen a ford focus with a cobbled on 2 inch hitch reciever hanging under it, now just what was he planning on towing with that? this summer i saw a john deere 310 backhoe on about a 25 foot dual tandem gooseneck trailer, all hooked to a, you guesed it, 1 ton dodge diesel, wonder if the guy has any idea what that rig weighed

Welding - Hitch on 2005 Dodge 1500

bob farrell

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Anonymous-0

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Rich Va

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Rich Va

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IaGary

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thurlow

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RobMD

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bob farrell

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paul

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Brian Jasper co. Ia

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Red1

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dcarp

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KEB1

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chvet73

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Rick in Michigan

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Anonymous-0

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ericlb

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