I didn't want to spend the $370 for the 5th wheel prep and then have to buy the Ford Reese hitch that only works with the 5th wheel prep for $1600 so I decided to re-use my 16k Reese hitch I already had in my 2005 F-350 that I traded in. My RV dealer charged me 4 hours of labor at $125 an hour and $95 for a new bolt kit and $100 for the plug in the bed of the pickup. Total with tax was $750. Now I am thinking I should have went for the Ford factory prep and hitch and put it in to my financing.

 

I bought my Curt 15k new *installed* for $705. Hasn't let me down yet.

 

...sometimes we just out think ourselves. Take a deep breath, hook up that fiver and move on.

 

I've got the prep package in my truck. I know what it'll take to pull a goose but what all will it take to pull a fiver? What all do I need to buy?

 

Are the bars under bed mount or above?

I have my old bars and 16K hitch above mount from my 2003 F350 and am toying with going with the less obstrusive under mount in my 2011 F350 CC Short box KR SRW no prep package for the fifth. Just starting to look and hopefully they make one for the short box.

John

 

I didn't get the 5th wheel prep package. I'm getting the B&W turnover installed today.Than will linex the box & add the B&W companion hitch

 

Hind site is always 20/20. The new hitches are nice and I like the clean bed with the hitch removed.

 

I had my 1997 Pullrite (non slider) sandblasted and painted. I had to order the new mounting kit for the Pullrite from the factory. The older mount will NOT WORK with the 2011. After the sandblast, paint, mounting bracket, and installation I had an expense of around $900. I would do it again. I like my hitch better than the new Reese hitch from Ford.

 

Look on the brite side. That $2k you didn't add to the financing would have been over $3k by the end of the loan.

 

I went with the Pullrite 16k slider for my short bed 2011 F250 6.7 SD with their SuperRails. I just like having the bed clear. Installed a 880 lb capacity Harbor Freight hoist ($110) in my third car garage to lift it out of the bed and place it on a 4 wheel furniture dolly for storing.

 

Good choice on the B&W Combo...I sure like mine.

 

For that price, it is the above bed rails... but they're pretty low-profile. if I haul anything like mulch or sand, I put a tarp down. kinda wish I didn't have to do that... but I digress.

 

Can anyone tell me if I decided to switch from my Reese 16k hitch to another reese hitch, say the 29k, can I still use my existing rails that I just had reinstalled or do they need to be changed also?