5th Wheel Hitch for 1978 Ford F-250 Without Truck Bed

Question:

Hello I was looking at putting a 5th wheel hitch on my truck but it doesnt have a bed will the installation be the same? 1978 Ford F-250 1 ton

asked by: Cecilio

Expert Reply:

If your 1978 Ford F-250 does not have a bed installed you may need to have a custom installation done for a 5th wheel. The universal base rail install kit # RP30035 that would normally be used in the truck requires a bed. Without a bed on the truck your hitch may be at too low a height for some trailers.

A 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch has to be secured to the frame rails, either with a welded-on steel plate that can serve as the mounting point for the hitch or with a kit that has frame brackets that bolt on. You may want to consider the Reese Low-Profile 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30054 which can mount directly to your frame rails. Installation of the Reese low-profile fifth-wheel trailer hitch may require welding and moderate fabrication to ensure that the hitch is connected either directly to your vehicle's frame or to a substantial steel support structure that connects to the frame.

expert reply by: Adam R