Custom Fit 5th Wheel Installation Kit Availability for a 1996 Chevrolet K3500 Pickup Truck

Question:

I am looking, to see if there was ever a bracket made for the 1988-1998 Chevrolet pickup trucks, to properly mount fifth wheel rails in the bed of the truck. I see the newer trucks have them, just wondered if there were any made, or do I have to go with the L brackets? Thanks. 1996 Chevrolet K3500 extended cab, dually.

asked by: Bruce F

Expert Reply:

Most of the fifth wheel installation kits available for your 1996 Chevrolet K3500 are the universal installation kits that use the L-shaped frame brackets. Our most popular universal installation kit is the Reese kit, # RP30035. The above bed base rails will work with any fifth wheel hitch that uses the industry standard above bed base rails like the Reese M5 Wheel Hitch, # RP30928, that you referenced.

Unfortunately, many of the custom fit installation kits that are available for the newer trucks are not available for the C/K Series pickup trucks.

Reese did make the Under-Bed Rail and Installation Kit, # RP30063, for their M5 Series 5th wheel hitches. This installation kit does not use L-brackets, however, drilling is required to install the frame brackets. This kit uses 4 pucks in the truck bed rather than the above bed base rails. You can use the 20K M5 Series Hitch # RP30921 for long beds or for short bed trucks in combination with a rotating pin box for additional turning clearance. Rotating pin boxes like the # RP34FR are bolt pattern specific so you will need to know the bolt pattern of your current pin box if you want to go that route.

expert reply by: John H