Recommended Fifth Wheel Hitch for 2018 Ford F-250 With a Short Bed

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Question:

I just bought a 2018 Ford F-350 diesel. The dealer added a 5th wheel prep package and hitch. The hitch they gave me is a Reese 26.5k rated non slider. Is this setup ok with the short bed. I can’t even hook up without somebody tending my tailgate because it will hit the trailer if left down while hooking up.

asked by: Ryan

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Expert Reply:

You are going to need a sliding hitch with the short bed on your 2018 Ford F-250 Super Duty, as well as one with height adjustment in order to A) not have your trailer make contact with your truck's cab on tight turns and B) tow level and have the proper clearance over your truck bed's rails.

The good news is, with the prep package you will be able to uninstall your old hitch and install a new one fairly easily, and you should also be able to sell your Reese hitch to offset the cost of a new one. To know the height you need your fifth wheel hitch to sit at, park your F-250 and fifth wheel trailer on level ground, with the trailer's landing gear set to make the trailer level. Then measure from the ground to the bottom of the pin box skid plate. Next, measure from the ground to to your truck bed and the difference between those two measurements is what the height of your hitch needs to be.

For a new fifth wheel that will sit in the puck system of your F-250, I highly recommend the B&W Companion # BWRVK3370. The Companion is considered by many to be the highest-quality fifth wheel hitch available. With more than 450 reviews from our customers who have purchased it, this hitch has gotten a nearly unanimous 5-star rating. It features dual jaws which are a full 1" thick to provide complete contact with your king pin so you can have faith that your connection is completely secure.The Companion is also going to give you a much quieter ride with less rattling than other fifth wheels due to that secure connection, along with the polyurethane bushings it has.

This hitch also has a pivoting head to make hooking up easier, a cam-action latch to deter binding, offers height settings from 17" to 19" to ensure you are level with your fifth wheel and has a towing capacity of 20,000 lbs. I've added links to video reviews of the Companion you to take a look at as well.

expert reply by: Kyle S

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Answer 1

The B and W Companion Hitch for Ford Rail Kits #BWRVK3300 that you referenced is a great hitch for your 2019 Ford F-350 long bed with the factory Ford rail kit. It has a height range of 16-3/4" - 18-3/4". The idea is to use the height that…

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Answer 2

The best fifth wheel hitch we offer to fit the OEM fifth wheel rail kit of your 2019 Ford F-350 is the B and W Companion hitch part #BWRVK3300. This USA made hitch has the reputation of being the best hitch on the market because of how well made it…

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Answer 3

Since your 2019 F-350 is a long bed you'll be best off starting with the pivot arms of your B&W Hitch #BWRVK3300 installed in the positions that place the hitch head furthest forward, closest to the cab. To do this install the pivot arms with…

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Answer 4

The procedure to engage the slider on the B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part #BWRVK3370 is as follows: 1) While the trailer is coupled, set the trailer brakes and/or chock the trailer wheels. 2) Pull the handle toward the rear of the…

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Answer 5

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from the…

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Answer 8

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 9

Great question, Jeff! When the Rota-Flex first came out it renovated what a pin box could do and be, but at this point in time that technology is a little more dated and the Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel Pin Box #325-GH-8040 is the "new…

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Answer 10

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 11

You do not have to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch in a short bed truck. In many cases, truck beds shorter than 8 ft do not have enough clearance between the trailer and truck to execute sharp turns. This is why sliding hitches were invented. Due to…

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Answer 12

There is only one difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13176 and etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98909 that fit your 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, which is the finish. The Curt trailer hitch has a glossy black finish while the etrailer…

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Recommended Fifth Wheel Hitch for 2018 Ford F-250 With a Short Bed

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