How to Measure Installation Height for a 5th Wheel Hitch on a Custom Made Bed
Question:
how high should the fifth wheel plate be from ground to where king pin hooks? fifth wheel is going on a custom made bed and need to know about how high to mount. thank-you
asked by: Gary A
Expert Reply:
To measure the height that the fifth wheel head will need to be, on your custom made bed, you will need to park the vehicle and trailer on a fairly level surface and do some measuring.
Back your vehicle under the fifth-wheel trailer stopping when the center of the king pin is directly above the center of the fifth-wheel attachment jaws. Measure from the top of the bed on the truck to the base of the pin box on the trailer. This will give you the measurement needed to select a mounting height for the fifth-wheel hitch.
Most fifth-wheel hitches are height adjustable. If you are considering the Reese 20K M5 Fifth-Wheel Hitch, item # RP30928, the adjustment range is between 14 and 18 inches. You can then install the fifth-wheel accordingly. You will need to be sure that you have at least 6 inches of clearance between the underside of the trailer and any bedsides or rails on your custom bed for pitch and roll of the trailer when maneuvering.
Another thing you may want to consider is the distance from the center of the fifth-wheel and the rear of the custom bed. If the bed is going to be longer than 8 feet there may be issues with contact between the bed corners and the underside of the fifth-wheel trailer.
If you would like to send me the year, make and model of the truck you are using, I would be glad to send instructions which will provide installation location dimensions for your vehicle.
Products Referenced in This Question
Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- 14 - 18 Inch Tall
- Reese
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Q&A: How to Determine Correct Height Setting for 5th Wheel Hitch
- Video: B and W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch Installation - 2018 Ford F-350 Super Duty
- Video: B and W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch Installation - 2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty
- Q&A: How to Select Head Position for B and W Companion Hitch for Ford Factory Rail Kit
- Q&A: Can B and W Companion Hitch be Used with Turning Point Pin Box
- Q&A: Fifth Wheel Hitch Recommendation for 2017 Ford F-350 with Factory Rail Kit
- Q&A: How to Determine B&W Companion Hitch Height and Position in Long Bed of 2017 F-350 with Pucks
- Shop: B&W Companion OEM 5th-Wheel Hitch for Ford Super Duty Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Shop: Replacement Touchscreen Remote w/ Charger for Lippert Ground Control 3.0 Electric Leveling System
- Shop: Replacement Control Panel for Lippert Ground Control 3.0 and Travel Trailer RV Leveling System
- Shop: Curt PowerRide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 30,000 lbs
- Article: Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Information and Installation Tips
- Article: Proper Lubrication of Sidewinder Products
- Shop: B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Video: Lippert Components Trailer Jack LC358601 Review
- Shop: Replacement 9'1" Fabric for 10' RV Awning - Universal - Sand Fade to Black
- Search Results: wf2613l
- Search Results: lc358601
- Video: B and W Fifth Wheel - Fixed Fifth Wheel - BWRVK3200 Review
- Q&A: Correct Wireless Remote for Lippert Ground Control 3.0 Leveling System On Keystone Cougar
- Q&A: LCI Leveling System Troubleshooting
- Shop: Nerf Bars - Running Boards
- Shop: Tailgate
- Search Results: in bed trailer plug
- Search Results: b&w turnover
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Search Results: patriot 18k fifth wheel hitch
- Shop: Truck Bed Tailgate Assist
- Search Results: 5th wheel hitch