Recommended B&W Turnoverball Fifth Wheel And Installation Kit For 2017 Ford F-250 Short Bed

Question:

Can the draw tite fifth wheel to gooseneck adapter be switched between a 2005 gmc with a b and w turnover ball and a 2017 ford with a puck system. We have a 2005 gmc 1 ton long bed with a b&w flip over ball would like to get a fifth wheel adapter to go in it. Also trying to get a 2017 f 250 super duty 4 door short bed with a puck system. Would like to be able to adapt one fifth wheel to work with both trucks with the least cost. If i don't get the puck system could put a b&w turn over in it like the gmc but wonder if the cost wouldn't be about the same as buying two separate fifth wheel hitches. I know i can get a different support frame to fit the Ford and use the same actual fifth wheel plate. Is there other options? Thanks

asked by: Dan T

Expert Reply:

Since you have a B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch in the bed of your 2005 GMC truck, I recommend foregoing the puck system in the 2017 F-250. I would instead install part # BWGNRK1116 in the F-250.

I then recommend using the B&W Companion Slider Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter, part # BWRVK3400. The Companion is one of the premier fifth wheel hitches we offer and with the slider feature it gives you an additional 12-inches of travel front to back for executing those sharp turns. When using the Companion in the GMC truck with the long bed you can lock the hitch in the towing position. The Companion has a 20,000-lb towing capacity, and with no fifth wheel base rails in the bed of the truck gives you full bed access when you are not towing.

Having the B&W Turnoverball system in the bed of your trucks lets you retain the option of towing a gooseneck trailer if you need.

We do have other options that would allow you to be able to use one fifth wheel hitch. For your F-250 you would wind up having to purchase a fifth wheel sliding hitch like part # PS30121, and an adapter, part # RP30156 that work with the puck system. If you do not get the puck system you could use the Reese Quick-Install Custom Base Rails and Installation Kit, part # RP50074-58.

For your GMC you could then use the Curt X5 5th Wheel Base Rails Adapter for B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Trailer Hitches, part # 16310.

Even though a bit more expensive, I recommend the B&W system for a couple reasons. First, the Companion hitch is a very nice hitch and having the full use of both truck beds makes it really attractive. Second, the B&W system in both trucks means you can tow a gooseneck trailer with either truck if you ever need to.

If you have a hoist available I also recommend using a lift tool like part # DM6100. You just lock the tool in the fifth wheel jaws and can then move the hitch in or out of the truck bed without having to manually lift the hitch