Draw-Tite 4454 GOOSENECK RAIL KIT - Manual (Page 6)

Installation Instructions
Part Numbers:
4454
NOTES:
 This section of instructions refers to installing the 6300, 630044 or 8339 head only.
 Always make sure the ball is fully locked before towing.
 Keep the ball and ball pocket well lubricated.
 Periodically re-torque all the hitch fasteners.
 Check ball, hitch coupler, safety chains and other connections for proper operation every time you tow.
Warning:
 The tow vehicle manufacturers recommended towing capacities should
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES be exceeded.
 Check for adequate clearance between the gooseneck trailer and the rear of the cab and the rear of the truck box before installing hitch.
 All trucks have fuel lines, brake lines and electrical wiring located along the vehicle frame where the rail kit installs. Carefully examine the
location of fuel lines, brake lines and electrical wires before installation and be certain not to damage these when positioning the hitch
components. Be careful when drilling holes, cutting sheet metal and tightening fasteners as to not limit the integrity of these systems.
© 2010, 2011, 2014 Cequent Performance Products – Printed in Mexico Sheet 6 of 8 4454N 1/23/2014 Rev.D
6300/630044 Remove-A-Ball and 8339 Fold Down Gooseneck Installation
1.
Figure 2 shows a cable bracket which holds a brake line to the inside of the frame rail. Loosen this bracket from the top of
the frame and move the brake line down about 1/2” so that it is not interfering with hitch cross members.
2. From underneath the passenger’s side of vehicle remove or cut out the section of the heat shield that is located between the
frame rails and the bed of the vehicle.
Chevrolet/GMC 1500 Short & Long Beds
1500HD, 2500LD Beds
3a. Placing Cross Members Between Bed And Frame, Method 1: Loosen The Truck Bed: Remove four truck bed bolts
(using 18mm socket) completely from the drivers side frame. The bolts are located on the bottom side of the frame. Loosen,
but do not remove, the four bolts holding the bed to the passenger side of the frame. Prop up the driver’s side of the truck bed
enough to make room for the cross members to fit between the bottom of the truck bed side flange and the top of the frame.
3b. Placing Cross Members Between Bed And Frame, Method 2: Notch the Side Flange: From the driver’s side wheel well,
notch the sheet metal flange as shown in Figure 4a for 6’ beds and Figure 4b for 8’ beds. After notching, the cut steel surfaces
should be touched up with paint to prevent rusting.
4. Slide the hitch cross members above both vehicle frame rails and align hitch cross members as shown in Figure 5.
5. Place 1/4 X 1.00 X 3.00 blocks and 1/2-13 X 2.25 carriage bolts through slots in the driver’s side and passenger’s side of
vehicle frame pointing outwards and install the hitch frame brackets by aligning the rearward holes in the brackets with the
fasteners. Loosely install the 5/8-11 hex nuts and conical toothed washers onto the threaded studs on the ends of the hitch cross
members (see Figure 6).
6. Install the frame bracket clamp by placing the clamp to the inside of the frame rail, insert the 1/2-13 X 4.50 GR5 carriage bolts
through the square holes in the clamp and through the frame bracket with the threaded end pointing outwards. Install the ½
conical toothed washers and hex nuts. Some models require using hole in hitch bracket as guide to drill frame, see Figure 3.
7. With the rearward cross member and side brackets in position, torque the 5/8-11 GR5 fasteners that attach the brackets to the
rearward cross member to 150 ft.-lb (203 N-m) and the 1/2-13 GR5 fasteners that attach the brackets to the frame to 75 ft-lb.
(102 N-m). The forward cross member should be left loose until step 17. If vehicle bed was lifted to insert cross member,
tighten bolts that attach the bed to the frame.
8. For 6300/630044 & 8339 use the center of the outer slots in the rearward hitch cross member as a template to drill 5/8”
diameter holes through the truck bed as shown in Figure 3. Not all holes can be drilled from under the vehicle, but will be
done later from inside the bed.
WARNING The fuel tank and/or other vehicle components are located below some of the holes. A wood or metal shield must be
placed between the frame and the fuel tank to prevent puncturing the fuel tank when the drill breaks through the bed.
Rearward cross
member
Forward cross
member
Use center of slots to
drill 5/8” holes
Figure 3
6300 / 630044 / 8339 Hole
Locations