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Old 07-12-2019, 07:56 PM   #1
KeyCougar
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Fifth wheel hitch installation time

Hey folks... another question. We take delivery on our new Cougar 338RLK Fifth Wheel tomorrow morning . The RV Dealership will be installing the fifth wheel hitch How long does installation generally take by folks that do it every day?

Install is on a 2018 Ram 2500.

Thanks in advance
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Old 07-12-2019, 09:01 PM   #2
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I installed the rails in a pickup I had some years ago, and by myself, never having done it before, was able to complete the install, including the trailer outlet on the side of the bed, is about four hours. I would think a shop that does this all the time should be able to complete this in less than three hours, maybe even less.
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Old 07-13-2019, 01:59 AM   #3
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Depends on what’s in the bed. Puck system- about 45 minutes.

Nothing in the bed. Figure about 4 hrs.
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Old 07-13-2019, 04:03 AM   #4
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Thanks folks!
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Old 07-13-2019, 11:12 AM   #5
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If you’re talking dealer installed, it’s not 4 hours. My dealer installed mine in about 1 hours. I’ve done my own as well from scratch in just over two hours. Depends what tools etc you have. It’s MUCH nicer to have the dealer do it for sure just because it saves knuckle busting, sweat and occasional cursing on your end. Haha.
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Old 07-13-2019, 12:12 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMaster View Post
If you’re talking dealer installed, it’s not 4 hours. My dealer installed mine in about 1 hours. I’ve done my own as well from scratch in just over two hours. Depends what tools etc you have. It’s MUCH nicer to have the dealer do it for sure just because it saves knuckle busting, sweat and occasional cursing on your end. Haha.
That makes you a superstar! Our tech with30 yrs said the same thing as I did. Dodge is the worst.
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Old 07-13-2019, 05:07 PM   #7
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If you have factory prep, it’ll take you longer to sign all the paperwork.
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Old 07-13-2019, 05:37 PM   #8
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What Chuckster said! If this is from scratch it will be 4 hours! Nobody EVER installed rails and hitch from scratch in one hour!
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Old 07-13-2019, 06:10 PM   #9
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What Chuckster said! If this is from scratch it will ne 4 hours! Nobody EVER installed rails and hitch from scratch in one hour!


If a dealer takes 4 hours that tech needs to be fired. I worked as a tech in the RV industry and if I was a service writer I’d be furious for that kind of install time. Just sayin.
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Old 07-13-2019, 06:28 PM   #10
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If a dealer takes 4 hours that tech needs to be fired. I worked as a tech in the RV industry and if I was a service writer I’d be furious for that kind of install time. Just sayin.
If your given a truck without ANY factory prep and you have to install under bed mounts, or even a turnover ball, I don’t think anybody can do it in 2 hours.

Not trying to argue, but I’ve watched. Maybe you should come to our dealership and school us.
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Old 07-13-2019, 07:14 PM   #11
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Yeah, if no factory prep it will take some time. When I got my first 5th wheel in 2013 the dealer installed the hitch with universal rails in my 2011 F250 . Took about 4 hrs with 2 guys working on it.
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Old 07-13-2019, 08:01 PM   #12
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It took me 4 hours on my last 2. This time I ordered the brackets. That should eliminate drilling the frame. I'll see how it goes when my new truck gets here in a couple weeks .
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Old 07-13-2019, 08:05 PM   #13
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The 2500 OEM factory pucks can be installed without lifting the bed. Hopefully you have them putting in the pucks and not rails. I did my own on a 3500 and had to raise the bed on one side at a time. It took me 4 hours including the 7 pin wiring in the bed working by myself. If I would have had a helper it would have been about 2 hour job.

Pucks are good(and the new normal), rails are past their pull date!

I did have to order a hole saw, as the size is not something that is sold in the box stores.

MK Morse AV60 Hole Saw, 3-3/4-Inch Bi-Metal Boxed.
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Old 07-13-2019, 08:19 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snoking View Post
The 2500 OEM factory pucks can be installed without lifting the bed. Hopefully you have them putting in the pucks and not rails. I did my own on a 3500 and had to raise the bed on one side at a time. It took me 4 hours including the 7 pin wiring in the bed working by myself. If I would have had a helper it would have been about 2 hour job.

Pucks are good(and the new normal), rails are past their pull date!

I did have to order a hole saw, as the size is not something that is sold in the box stores.

MK Morse AV60 Hole Saw, 3-3/4-Inch Bi-Metal Boxed.
X2!
Forget the rails, get the puck system installed, the pucks are mounted DIRECTLY to the frame.

Will make for a very clean bed!
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Old 07-18-2019, 09:55 AM   #15
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On another note, double check the installation ASAP. The techs where I bought my rig (hitch and fiver) did not apply lube to any part of the hitch. Totally dry at every lubrication point.
Another instance, at another dealer, the service clowns tightened only 4 of 8 bolts on the bracket of my new Flex Air pin box. Four bolts were tightened to specs, (about 200 ft/lbs, I think) but the other 4 were loose to the point of rattling. The hex nuts were threaded on, but not tightened.
My point is, always double check the service department work.
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