5th Wheel Question
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5th Wheel Question
I am new to the forum and haven't made it through all the posts.
I have a 2012 F-250 SWB.
We recently purchased a 5th wheel Travel Trailer.
My question is this:
I laid the rails in the bed to check alignment and measurements.
The factory bolts going through the bed are perfectly aligned to go through the rails back into their existing location.
There are spacers in the channels running cross-ways under the bed.
Can 5th wheel rails be mounted in this location using the factory bolts?
If so, this would make the install much easier.
The weight of the trailer is 7K pounds.
The trailer also came with a gooseneck adapter.
We have a 5th wheel slider hitch to install also.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Pros and Cons of both would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance !!
I have a 2012 F-250 SWB.
We recently purchased a 5th wheel Travel Trailer.
My question is this:
I laid the rails in the bed to check alignment and measurements.
The factory bolts going through the bed are perfectly aligned to go through the rails back into their existing location.
There are spacers in the channels running cross-ways under the bed.
Can 5th wheel rails be mounted in this location using the factory bolts?
If so, this would make the install much easier.
The weight of the trailer is 7K pounds.
The trailer also came with a gooseneck adapter.
We have a 5th wheel slider hitch to install also.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Pros and Cons of both would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance !!
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
Not exactly sure of your question but if you plan on attaching the rails to only bolts in the bed, not a good idea. Three of the four bolts per side on my unit are attached directly to the frame through a mfg bracket. The center rail bolts and a forth end rail bolt are only truck bed attached.
Regardless of your trailer wt, you need to ensure the 5th wheel hitch/rails are bolted directly to the frame.
Regardless of your trailer wt, you need to ensure the 5th wheel hitch/rails are bolted directly to the frame.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
To avoid any misinterpretation, there are excellent instructions that show placement for rails that normally come with the rail kit. If you go not have that, contact the manufacturer for a copy or check on their site online would be my suggestion. As Bob suggested, you can not mount only to the bed, you have to attach to the frame, but I am guessing you already know that. Just hard to tell from your post.
In regards to the second part of your post, it is often preferred to use a standard fifth wheel hitch rather than a goose neck to reduce the stress on the pin box on your fiver. You are thinking in terms of a slider as you are not running an 8-foot bed?
Steve
In regards to the second part of your post, it is often preferred to use a standard fifth wheel hitch rather than a goose neck to reduce the stress on the pin box on your fiver. You are thinking in terms of a slider as you are not running an 8-foot bed?
Steve
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Thanks for the replies !
My truck has the short bed.
That was my original question about mounting to the bed bolts, which have the spacers in the hat channel under the bed.
I have spoke with two different hitch installers and they claimed that is all they would do and then attach two more per rail to the bed itself.
They claimed with the weight of the trailer that the factory bolts were sufficient to pull the trailer that I will be pulling.
They said that they would shim between the fifth wheel rails and the bed to prevent any collapsing of the bed ribs, but that the spacers between the bed and frame inside the channel were rated for 10k lbs.
I apologize for being green when it comes to the fifth wheel install. All of the trailers I hauled in the past were livestock and horse trailers and only dealt with gooseneck. When I got rid of my old truck I didn't get the gooseneck in this one. We got a deal on the camper that we couldn't pass up so, that is what put me in the predicament I am now.
I really appreciate all of your input !!
One other question I have is will the factory Reese Elite hitch mount up on my SWB? I found a deal on one and was considering jumping on it.
Thanks Again !
My truck has the short bed.
That was my original question about mounting to the bed bolts, which have the spacers in the hat channel under the bed.
I have spoke with two different hitch installers and they claimed that is all they would do and then attach two more per rail to the bed itself.
They claimed with the weight of the trailer that the factory bolts were sufficient to pull the trailer that I will be pulling.
They said that they would shim between the fifth wheel rails and the bed to prevent any collapsing of the bed ribs, but that the spacers between the bed and frame inside the channel were rated for 10k lbs.
I apologize for being green when it comes to the fifth wheel install. All of the trailers I hauled in the past were livestock and horse trailers and only dealt with gooseneck. When I got rid of my old truck I didn't get the gooseneck in this one. We got a deal on the camper that we couldn't pass up so, that is what put me in the predicament I am now.
I really appreciate all of your input !!
One other question I have is will the factory Reese Elite hitch mount up on my SWB? I found a deal on one and was considering jumping on it.
Thanks Again !
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RV Tech:
In regards to the question I was asking about the bed bolts:
The measurements are exactly where the rails needed to be mounted in my truck. The bolts go through the bed, into the hat channel, where there are spacers in the hat channel, then the bolts go directly into the frame.
This is where the question arose.
I really appreciate you input !!
In regards to the question I was asking about the bed bolts:
The measurements are exactly where the rails needed to be mounted in my truck. The bolts go through the bed, into the hat channel, where there are spacers in the hat channel, then the bolts go directly into the frame.
This is where the question arose.
I really appreciate you input !!
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
No, don't do that. You need to bolt directly through the bed to the frame.
What hitch do you have? You say it is a slider? What make?
does your truck have the factory hitch prep? I am assuming not since it is a 2012 model. Ford is producing hitch preps now for short beds but not sure if they did for 2012.
So let us see what hitch you have then we can zero in on the correct mounting procedure.
Most of the time the place that sells the 5th wheel can mount the hitch properly. are they the ones telling you that you don't need to mount to the frame?
What hitch do you have? You say it is a slider? What make?
does your truck have the factory hitch prep? I am assuming not since it is a 2012 model. Ford is producing hitch preps now for short beds but not sure if they did for 2012.
So let us see what hitch you have then we can zero in on the correct mounting procedure.
Most of the time the place that sells the 5th wheel can mount the hitch properly. are they the ones telling you that you don't need to mount to the frame?
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It is a Valley Single Pivot Slider. It is a hitch I picked up used for $150.
I'm not saying mount it directly to the bed. I apologize for any confusion I may have caused.
The four bolts I am referring to surround the pre-punched center hole for the gooseneck. Unfortunately, the Gooseneck/Fifth Wheel Prep Package was not an option when I purchased.
These four bolt locations are at the right measurements for the rails in my particular truck. According to the installation guide I found online, these are in the locations where the rails are to be mounted.
The four bolts go through the bed, through the spacer in the hat channel under the bed, then into the frame.
I'm not saying mount it directly to the bed. I apologize for any confusion I may have caused.
The four bolts I am referring to surround the pre-punched center hole for the gooseneck. Unfortunately, the Gooseneck/Fifth Wheel Prep Package was not an option when I purchased.
These four bolt locations are at the right measurements for the rails in my particular truck. According to the installation guide I found online, these are in the locations where the rails are to be mounted.
The four bolts go through the bed, through the spacer in the hat channel under the bed, then into the frame.
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From: Frederick, MD
I think this is what you need to mount it under the bed to the frame:
http://www.vtowing.com/ISHEETS/55133.pdf
If you follow that template for the mounting locations then you should be able to figure out the placement so that you are over the axle for the hitch. Or maybe just ahead of the axle.
I have never seen the rails mounted using the bed bolts.
http://www.vtowing.com/ISHEETS/55133.pdf
If you follow that template for the mounting locations then you should be able to figure out the placement so that you are over the axle for the hitch. Or maybe just ahead of the axle.
I have never seen the rails mounted using the bed bolts.
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I did all the measurements for the rail locations and marked it out, the holes line up exactly with the existing bolts.
I was just putting out feelers to see if anyone else had done this. I have been told by 2 different installers and seen on a few other forums that folks have done it, but I wanted to poll you guys who do a lot more hauling of fivers than I have or ever will. Won't even be considered a weekend warrior, more along the lines of a monthly warrior if even that. All depends on how much I can convince the wife to load the kids up and take a trip.
Thanks for the input and the link !!
I was just putting out feelers to see if anyone else had done this. I have been told by 2 different installers and seen on a few other forums that folks have done it, but I wanted to poll you guys who do a lot more hauling of fivers than I have or ever will. Won't even be considered a weekend warrior, more along the lines of a monthly warrior if even that. All depends on how much I can convince the wife to load the kids up and take a trip.
Thanks for the input and the link !!
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From: Home Base Nebraska
I mounted my hitch with the bed bolts, this is my second truck doing it that way. I use the bed bolts on the front of the rails and the back of the rails I use the frame mounts. Where the bed bolts go through the hat channel threre is a round tube that stops the bolt from crushing the hat channel but it also holds water, thats why Ford has that large washer to keep water out. On my first truck I did this way I didn't realize this and the bolts where rusted to the frame nuts, this truck I used flat washers under the hitch rails and sealed them with a small amount of silicone sealant to keep the water out. After the first pull I checked the bolts to make sure they stayed tight, there where tighter than the ones mounted to the frame. When I used the Reese layout for the rails they where back about one inch so instead of 4 inches in front of the axle I'm only 3 inches, no big deal.
Denny
Denny
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