MoneyMakeranch Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 Question for all those in the know, Our NEW to us VOLVO 780 has a custom bed already installed with just a gooseneck ball. looking at how the bed is built structure wise I can open up the top and get down to the frame rails with no problem without removing the bed support beams. the hitch that I have is and AIR SAFE omni 25k which is square and straight up on the sides and it will not fit between the truck frame rails at the top without cutting them back about 1.375 (1 3/8) on each side due to the support towers and air bags of the hitch on all four corners. has anybody narrowed the top frame rail to accommodate a wide hitch like this? I love the ride that this hitch has and with the stiff suspension of the truck I need it to work. also, this truck is still tandem running super singles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsinc Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 Some years ago I made an adapter to allow for the use of a traditional 5th wheel hitch with attachment to the gooseneck ball. The gooseneck hitch had been welded to the frame of the Dodge while my friend who bought this truck, wanted to use his 5er hitch. It was way better to make the adapter than to cut the gooseneck hitch from the truck frame. He is still using it to this day. Quote Marcel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 (edited) edited due to going off on a class 8 tangent 🤣 Edited April 18, 2021 by noteven Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 I would not narrow the truck frame. Will weaken that area. Now can you bring it in from back? That is the way ET Hitch goes in. 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...
MoneyMakeranch Posted April 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 the air safe hitch is the old style mounting that drops into the Reese rails and pins in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 Ok, will the height be good? Most campers need around 47ish inches. 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...
MoneyMakeranch Posted April 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 the height will be good at between 45 to 47 inches, my only question is trimming the frame rails on the top to allow for the width of the hitch. I need to trim the rails on the inside about 20 inches from the rear of the truck frame. hope the pics come thru [URL=https://i.imgur.com/PlE737m.jpg "target=new"][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/PlE737ml.jpg "border=0"[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/m3zZPvb.png[/IMG][URL=https://i.imgur.com/PlE737m.jpg "target=new"]Click For Full-Size Image[/URL]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 (edited) Pictures no show. Most put Hitch at the end of chassis. Backs better. Leaving tandem, extend frame. Edited April 18, 2021 by GlennWest 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...
MoneyMakeranch Posted April 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 you can see the section of the frame rail to the inside of the bed rails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moresmoke Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 The top and bottom flanges of a beam (frame) are what give it strength. So unless that section of frame is there for nothing but looks, it is not a good idea to cut away the flanges. Heck, the manufacturer forbids the drilling of holes in the flanges too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoneyMakeranch Posted April 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 a pic of the hitch you can see that it has straight sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 I am not advising this, but if I had to cut just out where Hitch legs go and weld it in there. Actually making it strong again. Only if you intend to use that Hitch forever with your truck. I would sell it and get an ET though. 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...
rpsinc Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 2 hours ago, MoneyMakeranch said: a pic of the hitch you can see that it has straight sides. Is there room to notch the towers of the hitch side frames? You wouldnt need much to clear the truck frame, I would think. May need to add a stiffener if needed or an angle bracket that can then be bolted to the truck frame for reinforce it due to the removed material for the notch. Quote Marcel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 (edited) In the simplest terms, that hitch has a form factor that is not designed for the installation you desire. In your frame pictures the rear axle air bag is where you want to cut the frame. Everything from the air bag forward is an absolute no. The only way I would mount that hitch would be on top of the frame rails and alter the pin box to accommodate the hitch Hight. It is not what you want to hear, if mounting on the fame wont work, another hitch designed to fit inside the frame is needed. Steve Edited April 18, 2021 by Steve from SoCal Quote 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 Your truck won’t collapse if you mount a RV hitch in the area cut out behind that goose neck ball. Im with the folks suggesting selling your intact AirSafe pickup hitch and installing something easier to work with. Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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