Advice on 5TH Wheel Prep Pkg
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
5th wheel package
I am looking at an opportunity to buy an F250 Lariat. It has low mileage and appears to be a very good deal. 1 owner and good carfax report. The only issue is it has the camper package but doesnt have the 5th wheel package. I am looking at a small 5th wheel. Only 8000 lbs. So my question is this, would you pull the trigger and buy the F250 and just add the 5th wheel package at the dealership? I am told they will install it for $1400.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 350
Likes: 99
From: Huntsville
Seems awfully steep to me. Does that price include the prep package or is that just labor?
I installed a B&W turnover ball hitch on my '15 F250 for about a third of that. They are a little more expensive for the newer models, but still only about half that. Only took about six hours to complete. Would have been easier if you have access to a lift. I did mine on my back in the driveway.
Having said that, if you have money and not the time...let them install it.
I installed a B&W turnover ball hitch on my '15 F250 for about a third of that. They are a little more expensive for the newer models, but still only about half that. Only took about six hours to complete. Would have been easier if you have access to a lift. I did mine on my back in the driveway.
Having said that, if you have money and not the time...let them install it.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I am looking at an opportunity to buy an F250 Lariat. It has low mileage and appears to be a very good deal. 1 owner and good carfax report. The only issue is it has the camper package but doesnt have the 5th wheel package. I am looking at a small 5th wheel. Only 8000 lbs. So my question is this, would you pull the trigger and buy the F250 and just add the 5th wheel package at the dealership? I am told they will install it for $1400.
You're looking at about $1600 for the B&W hitch to fit the puck system, so around $3000 total to get setup for your new fifth wheel. Maybe a little less for other brand hitches. Not too bad if you otherwise like that truck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 574
I am looking at an opportunity to buy an F250 Lariat. It has low mileage and appears to be a very good deal. 1 owner and good carfax report. The only issue is it has the camper package but doesnt have the 5th wheel package. I am looking at a small 5th wheel. Only 8000 lbs. So my question is this, would you pull the trigger and buy the F250 and just add the 5th wheel package at the dealership? I am told they will install it for $1400.
https://www.etrailer.com/5th-Wheel-H...se/RP87FR.html
Plenty of videos on YouTube to watch and see it installed, it's not a hard job.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 350
Likes: 99
From: Huntsville
The B&W mounts to the frame in a very similar fashion as the Ford system which is actually supplied by Reese. The only drawback to the B&W are the safety chain connections. The Reese system is much more substantial than the B&W. The aluminum bed has nothing to do with either system.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 537
From: Wasilla, AK
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
The B&W mounts to the frame in a very similar fashion as the Ford system which is actually supplied by Reese. The only drawback to the B&W are the safety chain connections. The Reese system is much more substantial than the B&W. The aluminum bed has nothing to do with either system.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 276
Likes: 183
Was doing some research (at the time, was looking at a lot truck without Prep) and came across the Reese Elite under bed system. In the reviews, they state this is the exact part that Ford uses on their trucks, Reese actually makes it for Ford.
https://www.etrailer.com/5th-Wheel-H...se/RP87FR.html
Plenty of videos on YouTube to watch and see it installed, it's not a hard job.
https://www.etrailer.com/5th-Wheel-H...se/RP87FR.html
Plenty of videos on YouTube to watch and see it installed, it's not a hard job.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
That's the "Turn-Over Ball" system.
B&W complicates things because they call the hitch that goes with that turn-over a "Companion", and then they also call the one that fits the puck system "Companion OEM". "Companion" made sense because at one time it was the only system that allowed a gooseneck ball and a fifth wheel hitch to fit the same under bed mount. But the puck mount "Companion" is not a companion of anything. Then they have a rail mount Companion too.
Bottom line for me is I do not want my hitch base resting on the bed, shims or no-shims. Steel resting on aluminum is no bueno. Again, just my opinion.
For my money, the Ford puck system is the way to go, and choose whatever brand fifth wheel hitch you want. They all make one to fit the Ford pucks.
