Will 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Legs Mount in the Same Rail Spacing as a Slider 5th Wheel Hitch

Question:

I have a Reese round tube slider and will be upgrading to an 8 foot box and want to get the solid legs since I dont need the slider anymore. Is the width between the holes that hook into the rails the same, so if I install the rails using the slider as a guide for now, will the solid legs fit? Hopefully this makes since. Thanks.

asked by: Michael P

Expert Reply:

On the 5th wheel installation rails, the holes a slider unit fits into and the holes the Replacement Base Legs for Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, # RP30727, fit into are the same distance apart. Or, in other words, once you have rails installed you will be able to drop in a set of legs or a slider and either one would fit.

This method will tell you how far apart from each the rails will need to be, but it will not tell you where the rails will need to go in the bed. For that, you will need the installation kit otherwise you run the risk of drilling holes in the wrong places. You will need the Reese Fifth Wheel Installation Kit, # RP30035-186. I have included links to the installation details below.

expert reply by: Michael H

Perry F.

5/4/2020

I just installed rails into a 2013 f-250 6.5 bed with custom mounting brackets . Hitch is a 15k square tube slider , when I hooked up to the trailer with hitch in tow position tail gate down will hit the trailer. I have to keep the hitch in maneuver position or the rear bumper is too close to the trailer. If I order rp30727 replacement legs will that split the difference between tow and maneuver position of a slider

Chris R.

5/6/2020

I'm not sure adding fixed legs to your hitch will change the tow position enough to allow for tailgate clearance. If you can't drop the tailgate when hooked up, a good solution is a 5th wheel tailgate like the Stromberg Carlson # VG-97-4000. It features a cutout for hooking up to the trailer without having to actually drop it open.