Can a Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Be Installed in a Truck with a Utility Bed

Question:

I have a 86 Ford one ton utility truck wih the utility bed still on,, is there anyway a hitch can be mounted to the utility bed and work or if I remove the utiliy bed will I be able to attach the hitch to a 1/2 inch sheet metal put on between the frame rails, or is it possable to attach hitch directly to the frame rails. will be using 5th wheel very little to move a 25 ft 5th wheel rv with no slides. Cant afford the 5th wheel to bumper pull adaptor trailer$7,ooo plus thank you for your advice.

asked by: Joseph S

Expert Reply:

It is possible to install a 5th wheel hitch in a truck that has a service bed depending on the type of service bed. If the service bed is the type that has all the doors and storage on the sides and is much larger than a regular side rails on a truck bed, you will not be able to install a 5th wheel hitch.

If the service bed is more like a flat bed, it is possible to install a hitch. It would be a custom installation that would have to be performed by a qualified professional. The hitch I recommend for this application is the Reese low profile hitch, # RP30054 .

I have included a link to the installation instructions for this hitch. You will need a 1/2 inch thick steel plate. This plate will be welded to brackets that will in turn be bolted to the truck frame. These brackets will need to be fabricated by a machine shop. The steel plate and brackets will be beneath the bed. The hitch will bolt through the bed and through the steel plate.

expert reply by: Jameson C