trimster Posted February 29, 2020 Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 Without a custom bed on your volvo, how is everyone mounting your 5th wheel hitch to the truck? Photos would be helpful . Thanks Bob & lisa Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted February 29, 2020 Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 trimster Hitch to a plate (at least 1/2"bolted). Plate to the frame using existing bolt holes (grade 8 bolts in both places)I know it won't be quite that simple but that should give you a place to start.Unless you have the capability to drill holes in a steel plate so it will line up with the holes in the frame you may want to look around to find someone with a mag base drill who will help. Where are you located? It's very doable You just nee to find the right help. Pat The Old Sailor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted February 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 Located in Salt Lake City. Lots of fab shops here. Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted February 29, 2020 Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 trimster I would send some pics but my computer knowledge is VERY limited. It's just like they mount a big 5th wheel to our trucks only we use a smaller hitch. Someone will send you some pics. Pat The Old Sailor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted February 29, 2020 Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 I used the original big hitch mounting angles cut to length, inverted and mounted inside frame rails So finished hitch height was 47” , and dropped 1/2” plate on top all bolted up with grade 8 bolts Quote Bill and Joan and 3 Collie pups 2001 Volvo VNL 770 "The Doghouse" Singled short, "ET" hItch VED12 465HP Gen 1 Autoshift 3.58 ratio 2005 Mobile Suite 38RL3 2011 Smart Passion loaded piggybacK Weigh-It Portable RV Scales http://www.weighitrv.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydrvr Posted February 29, 2020 Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 This is how Jack did ours.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted February 29, 2020 Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 Depends on which Hitch you plan to use. The ET Hitch comes complete with all needed except mounting bolts. Slide in from rear, set height, level, drill holes. I had holes in chassis so drilled holes in Hitch angle iron. It not hardened, rails are. The Comfort Ride pictured, I understand you buy your own angle iron and steel plate. Either is a good Hitch bit ET is easier. Oh, add an air line for ET. That is simple. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted February 29, 2020 Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 As Glenn said ET comes with the mounting plate and mounting angles (included in the price of the hitch), you will have to have these fabricated to install other hitches. On the 4700 you will most likely have to go with an ET Jr., order it with a flat mounting plate and install it on top of the rails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Av8r3400 Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 Quote Av8r34002012 Volvo VNL 730 D13 iShift & 2021 Grand Design Momentum 397TH I'd rather die trying to live - Than live trying not to die. -Leonard Perry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 I slid the factory 5th wheel mounting brackets back to where the frame angles off. This required some drilling. Then I mounted a 3/4 inch plate to that. Then just bolted the Comfort Ride down to that. My old camper rode a little nose high. My new one has plenty of adjustment to get it level. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted March 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 By the looks of that drill setup, the frame must be hard steel. Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 It is. As I stated earlier I didn't drill in frame. Was factory holes and used them. Lots of extra holes in chassis rails. Use them if you can. Much eadiler to drill regular steel to match Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 Just now, GlennWest said: It is. As I stated earlier I didn't drill in frame. Was factory holes and used them. Lots of extra holes in chassis rails. Use them if you can. Much eadiler to drill regular steel to match I had to drill 3 holes in frame and ream out one to get the rails to bolt up. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 36 minutes ago, trimster said: By the looks of that drill setup, the frame must be hard steel. You can drill it with a regular drill but a mag drill with cutting bit is faster. I was talking to one guy who said he drilled a small hole then used a bridge reamer to get the right size. No matter what drill you have a bridge reamer is very handy tool to have when doing this project. I got a 1/2 9/16 and 3/4. https://www.amazon.com/Drill-America-Qualtech-High-Speed-Uncoated/dp/B00FXJGSLI/ref=asc_df_B00FXJGSLI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312440347105&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2736057981198873765&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9024548&hvtargid=pla-569921301568&psc=1 Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan0043 Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 1 minute ago, jenandjon said: You can drill it with a regular drill but a mag drill with cutting bit is faster. I was talking to one guy who said he drilled a small hole then used a bridge reamer to get the right size. No matter what drill you have a bridge reamer is very handy tool to have when doing this project. I got a 1/2 9/16 and 3/4. https://www.amazon.com/Drill-America-Qualtech-High-Speed-Uncoated/dp/B00FXJGSLI/ref=asc_df_B00FXJGSLI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312440347105&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2736057981198873765&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9024548&hvtargid=pla-569921301568&psc=1 2X on the bridge reamer. That's how I did my holes. Go slow and use a cutting fluid to help keep the reamer cool. Quote 2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger " Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood " 2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 I may have been lucky then. Didn't have to drive frame. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted March 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 That's a serious bit of bit there. Thanks. Getting one. Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 1 minute ago, trimster said: That's a serious bit of bit there. Thanks. Getting one. Depending on the hardware used get an oversize one. An ET uses 3/4 inch mounting bolts, you need 13/16 (clearance) bit for those. Also, ET angles are pre-drilled for 3/4 inch bolt mounting (3 on each side), but I would go with suggestions of others, if you have a factory drilled (spare) hole in the frame, use those and drill a new hole in the (soft steel) angle, it's not critical to strictly "obey" the pre-drilled bolt locations. Using a mag drill is the ultimate, but there are specific "techniques" for using it on hardened rails, or the steel will seize (or break) the bit and there are locations where you just can't get drill in and have a good magnetic grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 Iron workers use them connecting steel. Great tool. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 I did enlarge some holes in chassis with reamer. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 Glenn, we use bull pins or drift pins to align bolt holes in structural steel. Reamers are a last resort as your bolt values drop when used in an oversized hole for N or X bearing bolts. If the bolts are SC (slip critical) and you have a good faying surface, minor reaming is allowed with the approval of the EOR. Quote 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 Once was common practice, Not so much today. I started in bussiness 1975. I was always welding nuts on them for the impacts. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted March 2, 2020 Report Share Posted March 2, 2020 On 2/28/2020 at 7:40 PM, JPL said: trimster Hitch to a plate (at least 1/2"bolted). Plate to the frame using existing bolt holes (grade 8 bolts in both places)I know it won't be quite that simple but that should give you a place to start.Unless you have the capability to drill holes in a steel plate so it will line up with the holes in the frame you may want to look around to find someone with a mag base drill who will help. Where are you located? It's very doable You just nee to find the right help. Pat The Old Sailor Same here, hitch mounted on 1/2" steel plate mounted on frame. Plate supplier drilled holes to match frame and hitch mount per my specs. Quote Dennis & NancyTucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06 and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)Our Travel Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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