Community Forums

MetalGrand · 04-08-2019, 07:28 AM

I bought a brand new Ram 2500 back in November and added a 5th wheel hitch and bought a 5th wheel.

I towed the 5th wheel about 3-4 times before I noticed about 5-6 dents on the outer part of the truck bed above the rear wheel.

This last weekend, I towed the 5th wheel and now I have like 12 small dents around the whole area.

Is this common when towing a 5th wheel, or do I have a faulty bed?

Should I do something about this or learn to accept it? Its driving me nuts knowing about all these dents on my new truck.

Thanks

**Spdracr39** · 04-08-2019, 07:40 AM

A pictures are worth a thousand words. It could be something as serious as frame failure or as simple as leaning over the truck to unlock the fifth wheel. No it is not normal at all. Did they only bolt the fifth wheel rails to the bed or was it a factory installed mounting system? That would be dangerous if it was only mounted to the bed. If it is near the top rail of the bed perhaps you don't have the required 6" minimum clearance between the top of the bed and the rv when hooked up and it is contacting the truck in uneven terrain. For safety sake I would get the truck inspected at the dealer immediately to eliminate a serious and dangerous condition as being the cause.

MetalGrand · 04-08-2019, 07:48 AM

I've been doing some research and I think it has something to do with when I unlock my fifth wheel or use the slider. I stand on my rear tire and lean over, my knees dent the bed. It would make sense why its only on the driver side and not the passenger side.

I had my brackets installed professionally, so I believe its done correctly. Its just the damn sheet metal is too flimsy when I have all the weight in the bed.

charliez · 04-08-2019, 08:03 AM

Find some kind of extension pole that you can use to grab the handle or add a strap to the handle and use a hook to grab that.

jimcumminsw · 04-08-2019, 08:12 AM

Buy yourself a AMP BED STEP II. This mounts on either side of the bed behind the cab. I have one on my Dodge pick-up truck and it works great for accessing anything in the bed from the side of the bed. I also have a AMP BED STEP at the tailgate also.
See the attached link: https://www.amp-research.com/amp-res...de-step-access

See the picture attached. My AMP Bed Step II is in the closed position just after the chrome step tubes mounted under the cab.

kdauto · 04-08-2019, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalGrand

I bought a brand new Ram 2500 back in November and added a 5th wheel hitch and bought a 5th wheel.

I towed the 5th wheel about 3-4 times before I noticed about 5-6 dents on the outer part of the truck bed above the rear wheel.

This last weekend, I towed the 5th wheel and now I have like 12 small dents around the whole area.

Is this common when towing a 5th wheel, or do I have a faulty bed?

Should I do something about this or learn to accept it? Its driving me nuts knowing about all these dents on my new truck.

Thanks

If it's only driver side it's probably you denting it as you suspected. Some trucks have thinner steel than others.

I barely reach my 5th wheel release on my dually and I'm 6'2" with long arms. What I like to do is always keep two 6"x6" 1' long blocks to support landing legs on soft ground, I keep them in my truck bed. Before I set them under the legs I use one to step up on and release the lever and safety catch. Saves my back and neck. Might be enough for you.

I am also looking for a decent sidestep like mentioned, good ones aren't cheap on duallies.

tuffr2 · 04-08-2019, 08:46 AM

That is not normal at all. I carry a little step ladder to stand on when I used to unhook a 5th wheel. I had the factory installed 'puck system' in a dually truck. I was always leaning into the bed but it was my chest against the side of the bed and not my knees.

The dents should be easy to remove by one of the paint less dent repair guys. I have seen their work on cars that had hail damage dents. After, you could not tell.

Cumminsfan · 04-08-2019, 08:58 AM

I've been standing on the tire to hitch up my 5er for 6 years. One truck for 5 years and the 2nd truck for one year. Zero dents. I can't imagine how anyone could dent the side of the truck by doing that. Do you have something in your pockets that would dent the sides.

MetalGrand · 04-08-2019, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

I've been standing on the tire to hitch up my 5er for 6 years. One truck for 5 years and the 2nd truck for one year. Zero dents. I can't imagine how anyone could dent the side of the truck by doing that. Do you have something in your pockets that would dent the sides.

Yeah I usually always have something in my pockets. I haven't paid attention to how i'm positioned when i'm on my tire.

I just find it weird that its only on the driver side and not a single dent on the passenger.

MetalGrand · 04-08-2019, 09:11 AM

I just confirmed that they are from my knees.

I stood on my tire and my knees are where the dents are.

I do remember on my last trip, I put a lot of pressure with my legs on the bed trying to get the slider handle to move.

I wonder how much it will cost to get about 12 very little minor dents out.

tuffr2 · 04-08-2019, 11:40 AM

This is easier said than done but stop at a body shop and ask for the paintless dent repair guy.

I put two dents in my tailgate, my fault. I tried to get two different dent repair guys to call me back. This was in different areas of the country. I called a few times but still no return call.

I even thought about doing it myself. The dents really bothered me but I traded that truck in on a new one without any dents.[emoji3]

I was thinking a few hundred $$$ on my truck. It was worth $300 to remove the dents but, again I failed getting the dents fixed so I do not know for sure what it would cost.

Good luck.

**JohnRR** · 04-08-2019, 11:51 AM

Would something like this help for the future

https://www.storeyourboard.com/tire-...iABEgLp6vD_BwE

Podivin · 04-08-2019, 11:55 AM

I have heard, but never tried it myself, the dry ice put on small dents like that, on a very hot day, will cause the dent to 'contract' and therefore straighten out.
If you're friendly with someone at the grocery store, it's a near sure bet that they have some dry ice in their freezer that they'd give you. It comes in on loads from the truck and falls to the floor in the freezer.

kdauto · 04-08-2019, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalGrand

I just confirmed that they are from my knees.

I stood on my tire and my knees are where the dents are.

I do remember on my last trip, I put a lot of pressure with my legs on the bed trying to get the slider handle to move.

I wonder how much it will cost to get about 12 very little minor dents out.

This can vary so much depending on location even. Up here if they are grouped together a PDR tech would likely charge starting at 200$ all the way to 600$ for tough to access dents. Time determnes the job for the most part.