Can Curt 5th Wheel Hitch be Replaced with Andersen Ultimate on 2012 Ford F-250 Short Bed

Question:

What Anderson hitch can I used with existing Curt A16 hitch frame already installed in bed ? I have a 2012 F250 KR 6.5’ bed tired of slide and chucking during stop and start not to mention WEIGHT ..

asked by: Johnny T

Expert Reply:

The Andersen Ultimate Connection # AM3200 will attach without issue to the fifth-wheel base rails you already have installed on your Ford F-250. Your existing Curt A16 hitch is designed to mount to above-bed, industry standard rails, which are the type of rails that the Andersen will also connect to. This hitch will certainly resolve the weight issue of your current hitch, as it weighs only 40 pounds, allowing for easy installation and removal. It features a towing weight capacity of 20,000 pounds and a vertical load limit of 4,500 pounds.

Since you have a short bed truck, you will just want to make sure that the 9 inch offset that the hitch provides is enough to give you the needed cab clearance for making sharp turns.

In order to determine this, you will just need to know the width of the nose of your trailer, and follow this simple formula:

(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from the center of the gooseneck ball to the truck cab
B = Offset used, (9 inches for the # AM3200)
C = Width of the nose of the trailer divided by 2.

You will need at least 4 inches of clearance to safely make 90 degree turns.