Fifth wheel prep
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 84
I also installed the factory fifth wheel hitch myself after the fact. The thing I am missing that would be handy is the chmsl camera and the plug in for trailer tpms. I am not sure if I can add the tpms after the fact. Everything I read says must have Ultimate tow package. Just something else to think about.
the factory fifth wheel prep does add to the cost of a hitch. Seems they get a premium because the hitches do it interchange from manufacturer to manufacturer.
I’ll add that I looked all over to find a truck with the factory fifth prep and couldn’t find one. So could be a good selling point when the time comes.
the factory fifth wheel prep does add to the cost of a hitch. Seems they get a premium because the hitches do it interchange from manufacturer to manufacturer.
I’ll add that I looked all over to find a truck with the factory fifth prep and couldn’t find one. So could be a good selling point when the time comes.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 270
From: SoCal
I don't pull a fifth wheel or gooseneck right now, but I tend to keep a truck a very long time. I don't if in the future I'd like to upgrade my travel trailer to a fifth wheel. Would it be worth going ahead and getting the fifth wheel prep package on an order, or is it easy to add later?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,687
Likes: 12,812
From: Wyoming
I don't own a gooseneck trailer, but I've already pulled two gooseneck trailers for friends. Some may look at that as a bad thing, but I had fun.
I ordered my truck with the fifth wheel prep so I didn't have to fiddle with it after the purchase. I bought the gooseball aftermarket. Someday I'll upgrade from my bumper pull RV to a fifth wheel/gooseneck RV.
I ordered my truck with the fifth wheel prep so I didn't have to fiddle with it after the purchase. I bought the gooseball aftermarket. Someday I'll upgrade from my bumper pull RV to a fifth wheel/gooseneck RV.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 710
Likes: 356
From: Beautiful South
I placed an order for a new F250 August 31, 2021 with the 5th wheel prep package. I watched several similarly configured trucks without the 5th wheel prep scheduled and built while I waited.
In mid November I still did not have a VIN or a scheduled date so I asked the dealer to remove the 5th wheel prep package. A week later I had a VIN and build date.
Take from that what you will and your milage may vary.
John
In mid November I still did not have a VIN or a scheduled date so I asked the dealer to remove the 5th wheel prep package. A week later I had a VIN and build date.
Take from that what you will and your milage may vary.
John
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 370
Likes: 178
I really wish this forum was geared towards people working on their stuff themselves, rather than relying on their service manager for every little thing imaginable.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 5,796
Likes: 3,450
From: Uh oh, CA
If you think you will ever pull a fifth wheel, it’s easier to just include it at time of order. However, I would make sure the truck matches its goal… I didn’t add one to my truck when I ordered. My wife and I see no 5th wheel in our future, but in reality, things change, so who knows. However, I also only went with a 250. Even though I added all the heavy lifting packages that turned my 250 into a 350, if I thought I was going to a 5th wheel I’d rather have a different truck… preferably with a long bed and even DRW. But that’s me. This truck will do anything I would want it to do from my perspective now, plus more. On the other hand, it does have limits, and I know them, so that will keep me in check with what choices I continue to make. If I ever decided I had to have a 5th wheel, I could do like mentioned above and add it myself to this truck, or just get a different truck. But I had to draw the line somewhere… and this was it for me. Besides, the 5th wheel prep would have deducted more weight from my payload for something I wouldn’t use, plus, they are notorious for holding up builds…
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,150
Likes: 1,369
From: Chaz
I ordered it on my 19 Platinum F250 6.7 which is one of the lowest rated combos for 5th wheel/GN. Had heavy service front springs for a tad lift as well.
I know 5th wheels are a little more pin heavy and that precludes obviously having passengers/weight in cab.
No problems towing a 15,900 gvwr gooseneck with dovetail (axles not super far back). Out of 18k miles I had that truck I logged around 4-5,000 towing; primarily in town for my business (lots of tight maneuvering).
I know 5th wheels are a little more pin heavy and that precludes obviously having passengers/weight in cab.
No problems towing a 15,900 gvwr gooseneck with dovetail (axles not super far back). Out of 18k miles I had that truck I logged around 4-5,000 towing; primarily in town for my business (lots of tight maneuvering).
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,687
Likes: 12,812
From: Wyoming
Bumper pull trailers have their place. I can take mine places that you would never take a fifth wheel.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 178
Likes: 94
i don’t pull a 5th wheel camper, but I pull a gooseneck horse trailer and a couple of gooseneck flatbed trailers. I have an 18 ft bumper pull Big Tex car hauler and I’m trying to talk my wife into letting me trade it to a gooseneck lowboy equipment trailer. To me, a gooseneck/5th wheel just does everything smoother and easier.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,687
Likes: 12,812
From: Wyoming
i don’t pull a 5th wheel camper, but I pull a gooseneck horse trailer and a couple of gooseneck flatbed trailers. I have an 18 ft bumper pull Big Tex car hauler and I’m trying to talk my wife into letting me trade it to a gooseneck lowboy equipment trailer. To me, a gooseneck/5th wheel just does everything smoother and easier.