More Accurate Hole Location for Installation of the Elite Series Under-Bed 5th Wheel Install Kit
Question:
Per a customers review, they stated you could drill smaller holes if you were exact on your hole location. If this is the case, what is the minimum size you can drill? A video online shows an installation on a 2008 and they drilled 2 1/2inch holes. Can you confirm? Thanks
asked by: Kenneth
Expert Reply:
Our customers review is correct, the manufacturer changed the installation procedure and eliminated the pointed bolt that he mentioned. The 3-1/4 inch holes that are recommended should be drilled in the bed at the locations laid out in the instructions for proper installation with the parts supplied in the Under-Bed Rail and Installation Kit, # RP30868, for your 2012 GMC Sierra. The puck trim ring is designed to cover any gap between the puck and bed, so the oversized hole will not be seen and will allow for proper placement of the rails under the bed.
If you were so inclined you could make your own pointed bolt to more accurately define the placement of each puck, once the under bed rails are correctly installed. You would need to find the right thread size bolt that is long enough to install in the puck attachment nut and reach the bed of the truck and then create a point on the end that is centered on the bolt. Our installation team actually tried using one of the older pointed bolts provided for the Signature Series hitches and the thread count is not the same so that bolt cannot be used.
I pulled a Puck Service Kit and measured the diameter of the Puck, 2-5/8 inches, and the diameter of the trim ring, 3-3/4 inches, and the bolt size for you. The bolt you would need to create a pointed bolt would be a 5/8 bolt 11 threads per inch. Drilling a 2-1/2 inch hole would most likely not allow quite enough room to install the puck properly.
Products Referenced in This Question
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Under-Bed Rail and Installation Kit for Reese Elite Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Custom
- Below the Bed
- Reese
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