How To Gain Bed Side Clearance While Using the Ranch Hitch On a 2019 Ford F-350

Question:

I just purchased a 2019 F-350 super duty short bed to haul my forest river XLR thunderbolt 2017 and the neck on the fifth wheel is about an inch and a half to 2 inches too short as it will cause the connections to hit the side of my bed. We also have a 2017 F350 Short bed that we have previously been using to haul RV.We did not realize in purchasing the 2019 350 that the bed depth is deeper than 2017 model. Any chance there is an additional extender or someone else that has a 2019 F 350 with the same problem.

asked by: Janie H

Expert Reply:

If you have the factory prep package on your 2019 Ford F-350 then your only option to gain additional height with the Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter part # AM3139 is to use a high-rise gooseneck hitch ball. The tallest high-rise gooseneck hitch ball we offer for your F-350 is the B&W Ball and Safety Chain Kit part # BWGNXA2061 which measures 5-3/4" from the base to the top of the ball (see photo).

If the above will not give you the added bedside clearance that you need, your only option would be to remove the 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter and install a standard 5th wheel hitch. I recommend the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch part # DM8550038 because it auto slides back and forth so you don't have to worry about cab clearance either. The 18-1/4" of height adjustment will be plenty for your bed sides as well.

expert reply by: Conner L