Universal Above-Bed 4-Bolt Installation Kit vs Under-Bed Mounting Kit in 2000 Ford F-350

Question:

I have a 2000 f350 that i would like to install a 5th wheel in. The previous owner had a 5th wheel or gooseneck hookup in the truck because there are 4 holes centered over the axle going through the frame. Do you have bed rails that only require 4 bolts to the frame? Everything i see there are 8 bolts total.

asked by: Cameron

Expert Reply:

It sounds like either the previous owner used a 4-bolt universal above-bed kit or you have an under-bed mounting system.

If the holes are small, they might have housed above-bed rails. If so, these rails are compatible with Reese, Curt, Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Valley, and Huskey hitches that fit in above-bed base rails.

If the holes are large and have pucks in them, then you have an under-bed mounting kit. With under-bed systems, you have to use a hitch that matches the installation kit manufacturer. For instance, if you have an under-bed Reese Elite Series kit # RP30073, you would use an M5 hitch such as # RP30921.

I've included links to the instructions for both the universal above-bed kit as well as the custom under-bed kit to help you determine which type of setup you have in your truck. I've also included a video of the Reese Elite Series under-bed kit installation on a Ford F-350 so you can see what the pucks look like in the bed.

expert reply by: Amber S