Don't worry be happy, follow this link and fears and rumors are finally addressed by Dodge.<br> http://www.turbodieselregister.com/f...threadid=62297

 

I have typed our the memo from D-C, found of TDR web site at the Link given in this thread. I believe it is an accurate copy of this memo as read to the best of my ability due to its poor resolution. I will post a jpg copy of this memo also.

Memo follows:
2003 Dodge Ram

Frame
Caution: Use of proper safety equipment is recommended when performing any modification or alterations.
The following industry standard procedures are recommended for proper installation of special bodies and/or equipment on the Ram Frame (ie. 5th wheel hitches, snow plows. etc.). Failure to follow these recommendations could result in damage to the basic vehicle and possible injury to occupants.

Holes
Holes are NOT to be drilled in the top or bottom of the frame rails. Holes to mount out-riggers, brackets, and supports must be drilled in the web (vertical sides) of the frame rail with the following restrictions:
1) No holes should exceed 20 mm (0.75 inch) in diameter.
2) Material between edge of hole and top or bottom of the frame rail must not be less than 40 mm (1.60 inches).
3) The minimum edge distance between any two (2) holes must be larger than twice the diameter of the larger hole.
4) Any thru fastener that torques down on both external surfaces of the rail must use an internal spacer to prevent crushing the rail tube.
5) All holes should be drilled in the frame using appropriate drilling practice and safety precaution.
6) Avoid drilling holes near the fuel tank, fuel and brake lines and other lines and wires to avoid damage to them.

Welding
Prior to any welding, the following must be done:
1) Avoid welding near the fuel tank, fuel and brake lines or other component that bay be damaged by the heat of welding. If it is necessary to weld near these areas, use wet cloths to cover these components. If it is necessaryt to remove the fuel tank, lines or other components, do it in accordance with applicable service manual procedure.
2) Components near the welding area which could be damaged by excessive heat must be removed or adequately shielded.
3) Disconnect the battery .
4) Precautionary measures should be used to prevent electrical system components or wiring damage.
5) Frame e-coating must be removed from the welding and surrounding area.

Use proper welding techniques to avoid stress risers that may adversely effect frame performance.

After Welding:
1) Carefully inspect electrical components and wiring for shorts and other damage:
2) Apply protective coating to areas where coating was removed.

Note: DaimlerChrysler Corporation doesn’t recommend any modification or alteration to the frame assembly. Modification or alterations (i.e., drilling, welding, etc.) to the frame assembly are the responsibility of person performing these modification or alteration. Anyone shoring the frame must assume complete responsibility for assembly, performance, reliability and compliance of applicable FMVSS requirements.

 

It is about time that DC addressed this issue. I think we must take this with us during the install in the event the installer is not aware of it.<br><br>Reese should be aware because they drill but Pullrite uses existing holes plus a clamp to attach the hitch.

 

Personally I think this whole issue was a product of this and other web pages. <br> When I called and talked to Dodge right after I bought my truck they said it was OK to drill or weld the frame. I questioned the girl I talked to several times. She assured me that was straight from the mouth of a Dodge technician she talked to while I was on hold. This was at the end of October.<br> I think if you called Ford or Chevy and demanded to know what hitch to put in or how to install it they would not answer that either.<br> My hitch has been welded in since October and it is still connected. Personally I would rather have this than some kind of clamp or u-bolts to hold my hitch in.<br>FWIW Randy<br>

 

Then Dodge was giving different people different information. I was told not to drill the frame by two different DC Customer Service Managers (in writing), by my dealer and by a DC chassis parts supplier manager. In other words that seemed to be the party line for the past three months. DC finally made some internal management changes that ultimately resulted in the issuing of those guidelines posted on TDR. So I believe the issue is a DC product. I think that people are wise to use caution when making modification to the truck. Now that DC has issued those guidelines like the other manufacturers have done, we can get on with installing a hitch. By the way, Ford has the necessary information available on their website in their Truck Body Builder Advisory Service. If DC had done the same this thread wouldn't exist.

 

Are there any others who have their 5er hitch brackets welded to the frame. I am glad I had a professional installer who had the experience to do my welding. Notice most of the guidelines on welding have to do with safety of the process. My hitch was installed on Oct 10th, one of the first. 8) 8)

 

Balvert,<br> Did the Dodge rep's who told you in writing &quot;not to drill the frame&quot; mention what the consequences of drilling the frame would be?<br> Randy

 

If everyone would just buy the B&amp;W set up from me you wouldn't have any problems.

 

Now that D-C has spoken in a fax. The guidelines seem clear, drilling and welding are OK if done properly, following guidelines. Remember, everytime you call customer assistance you get another person, this is why some said yes, some said no. This is why it sounded as if D-C wasn't sure. A few years back I worked next to the Customer Service Dept of a large corporation. The response customers got on problems depended on which person was assisting them. There was one person who always responded with a &quot;no&quot; to almost everything. A couple of them seemed to almost always agree with the customer. <br><br>Isn't it about time to put this baby to rest?

 

[quote author=moss2904 link=board=17;threadid=8492;start=0#82727 date=1040395865]<br>Balvert,<br> Did the Dodge rep's who told you in writing &quot;not to drill the frame&quot; mention what the consequences of drilling the frame would be?<br> Randy<br>[/quote]<br><br>They only repeated two sentences. &quot;Not to drill the frame&quot; and &quot;DC does not provide guidelines for installing fifth wheel hitches&quot;. Both reps wouldn't deviate from it from those two sentences. Even when I asked him if I was more likely to cause damage to the hydroformed frame compared to drilling the frame on my 97, he kept repeating that they did not provide guidelines for installing fifth wheel hitches. It was scripted, there is no doubt in my mind. It was very frustrating because it was like talking to a tape recorder.

 

[quote author=Sierra Phil link=board=17;threadid=8492;start=0#82779 date=1040402431]<br>Now that D-C has spoken in a fax. The guidelines seem clear, drilling and welding are OK if done properly, following guidelines. Remember, everytime you call customer assistance you get another person, this is why some said yes, some said no. This is why it sounded as if D-C wasn't sure. A few years back I worked next to the Customer Service Dept of a large corporation. The response customers got on problems depended on which person was assisting them. There was one person who always responded with a &quot;no&quot; to almost everything. A couple of them seemed to almost always agree with the customer. <br><br>Isn't it about time to put this baby to rest? <br>[/quote]<br><br>I for one believe that corporations have an implied responsibility to their customers. And part of that means consistency and accuracy in the information that is put out. That is just part of what makes good customer service. Just because you observed different doesn't make it right nor does it mean that I have to accept it. But yeah, now that I have my guidelines the hitch issue at least is dead.

 

Sierra, the link didn't work and I can't read the darn jpg. thing- Too fuzzy. ???Can you type it up so we are sure what it says. Thanks. <br><br>Bill

 

MrBilly,<br><br>The TDR link doesn't work for me today either. I also tried my Bookmark for TDR and it is dead also.<br>I copied the text of the memo into my post, #2, on this thread.<br><br>I have also attached another higher resolution jpg copy to this post. ;D ;D

 

Thank YOU Sierra Phil.<br><br>Bill