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So, I believe all diesels come from the factory with the fifth wheel mounting brackets from what I understand. My truck already has the mounting bracket and the holes drilled in the bed for a fifth wheel. How would I know exactly which brand of fifth wheel I would need? I assume the different brands and models have different lengths between bolt holes and whatnot. I am getting a travel trailer soon and I'm going to need a fifth wheel. This is way down the line. Might even be a year from now but, I'm hoping it might be a nice addition to my trips to Georgia. I can also see that two of the fifth wheel holes where the fifth wheel actually mounts, the bolts are still in there but they are cut off? Not sure exactly about that. Like the bolt is still in it but it's been cut off. I'll post some pics of what brackets and whatnot I'm talking about and what I have. Really I just want to know how I can tell which fifth wheel to get. I am new to fifth wheels as some of you can probably already tell!
We'd have to see the mounts. Our trucks didn't come with the puck system like the newer trucks do. If it came with 5th wheel rails in it from the dealer it was an option. Most likely the Reese rails.
You won't need a 5th wheel hitch for a travel trailer tho, those use a hitch ball behind the bumper
As said our trucks didn't come with 5th wheel brackets, if your truck has brackets & holes in the bed they are likely for industry standard bed rails. You will find bed rails anywhere. Any modern hitch will mount to the rails.
We'd have to see the mounts. Our trucks didn't come with the puck system like the newer trucks do. If it came with 5th wheel rails in it from the dealer it was an option. Most likely the Reese rails.
You won't need a 5th wheel hitch for a travel trailer tho, those use a hitch ball behind the bumper
It's more of a mobile home than it is a travel trailer. It's quite big. (That's what she said) it is a fifth wheel. I had to help him move it one day. And now he's decided to have a house built and once he gets it built he wants to get rid of his mobile home. It's got fold out sides and everything. Built in fridge and all that stuff stove, sink, cabinets, an actual toilet, I believe a queen size bed, whole 9 yards. The reason he wants to get rid of it is because it does have a couple of issues. He said there's a leak or two that needs to be addressed and really, I think he just wants to help me out. He used to own the truck that I have now. He's amazed by how it looks compared to the old work truck that he had. Now he has another 7.3 and, of course now that he's seen my truck, he's going to call me anytime he needs help with something. Anyway, I will take some pictures of my fifth wheel brackets when I get outside this morning. Thanks 👍
As said our trucks didn't come with 5th wheel brackets, if your truck has brackets & holes in the bed they are likely for industry standard bed rails. You will find bed rails anywhere. Any modern hitch will mount to the rails.
If you hadn’t said your truck has the rails and holes already I would have suggested a gooseneck hitch with companion 5th wheel for maximum versatility.
If you hadn’t said your truck has the rails and holes already I would have suggested a gooseneck hitch with companion 5th wheel for maximum versatility.
Looks like there was at one point either an aftermarket gooseneck hitch or 5th wheel rails in there with those brackets on the side of the frame. But with the rails gone you're probably starting from scratch if you really need a 5th wheel. A gooseneck ball is less hassle and you can usually adapt a 5th wheel trailer to a gooseneck ball with parts from e-trailer or a local dealership that sells trailers.
Looks like there was at one point either an aftermarket gooseneck hitch or 5th wheel rails in there with those brackets on the side of the frame. But with the rails gone you're probably starting from scratch if you really need a 5th wheel. A gooseneck ball is less hassle and you can usually adapt a 5th wheel trailer to a gooseneck ball with parts from e-trailer or a local dealership that sells trailers.
I believe the rails are still there. They are just an aftermarket under bed design. Also, I did not know that you could adapt a fifth wheel trailer to fit on a gooseneck. If I had known that I would never have even brought this up. I would much rather have a gooseneck that I can flip upside down into the bed like the one that FTN posted earlier. That looks like a nice gooseneck. I sure would rather do that. Really I don't want to have a big fifth wheel in the bed if I don't need it. As you said, goosenecks are so much easier. I we'll look into adapting a trailer to A gooseneck. Thanks for the input!
Edit, my truck does not have rails on it. The brackets after a 90° turn only go about 2 inches in from the frame until they stop which is where the mounting holes are. Also, is this the kind of thing you were talking about? https://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-and-Fifth-Wheel-Adapters/Andersen/AM3100.html
Me thinks you need to just drive your truck for a month as is, to keep project creep in check, as well as bank account balance😀
I plan on it! As I had said this whole mobile home thing could be a year down the road. Until my uncle gets his house built. He needs to get rid of his mobile home once he gets the house built and it's a bit of a fixer upper. It's got some leaks and what not. But instead of trying to go through the hassle of selling it he's going to let me haul it off for him. My truck was at one point his! He's amazed by how far it's come. And now he has another 7.3.
I'm not going to be doing anything except spending money on diesel!! Which at the moment is ridiculous! We're up to 3.89 a gallon at some places! Definitely need to keep the bank account in check!
If you have a chance on a decent 5er for a low price, do it. Fix 'er up.
For the rails I'd keep it simple and ignore whatever parts are in the truck now and pay a pro to install a new kit. The kits are universal and the labor is common, an RV shop can knock it out. Not a large expense and this job cannot be half-assed.
Hopefully find a good used 5er hitch, half the cost (or less) of a new one.
I believe the rails are still there. They are just an aftermarket under bed design. Also, I did not know that you could adapt a fifth wheel trailer to fit on a gooseneck. If I had known that I would never have even brought this up. I would much rather have a gooseneck that I can flip upside down into the bed like the one that FTN posted earlier. That looks like a nice gooseneck. I sure would rather do that. Really I don't want to have a big fifth wheel in the bed if I don't need it. As you said, goosenecks are so much easier. I we'll look into adapting a trailer to A gooseneck. Thanks for the input!
Edit, my truck does not have rails on it. The brackets after a 90° turn only go about 2 inches in from the frame until they stop which is where the mounting holes are. Also, is this the kind of thing you were talking about? https://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-a...en/AM3100.html
Those look to be the under body tabs off your frame rail mounts. The Rails are universal as far as the spacing for the hitches to mount up. What I'm not sure about is their mounting holes for in the bed. Not sure if those are different. I can measure the hole spacing on my rail mounts for you to compare. If you are lucky, all you would need is new rails that would mount into existing setup. If not, it isn't hard to install a whole new rail mount setup if that is the route you choose.
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