Recommended Curt 5th Wheel Base Rail Kit for 1997 Ford F-250 HD Long Bed

Question:

I have a 1997 Ford F250 HD Ext Cab Long Bed 4x4 pickup and want to insure that the Curt #16200 Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit Hardware will fit my truck. It does have a gooseneck plate with ball welded to the top of the frame under the bed. The gooseneck plate does not protrude further out than the outer edges of the frame rails. I have a Curt Q24 Fifthwheel Hitch with Roller Base I purchased from a friend that should clear the gooseneck ball I hope and hopefully when slid/rolled rearward will allow using the gooseneck ball without removal of the fifthwheel hitch from the rails after mounting, but that is another issue hopefully a non issue and I do realize that Curt makes a gooseneck plate and ball that can be mounted to these rails if I have to remove the existing gooseneck ball. Will the mounting hardware and rails work with my truck model? The installation PDF seems to indicate so for 1997 Ford F250 with over 8500 GVW but does not indicate if 4x4 may be an issue with suspension bracket variances that may exist on 4x4 versions. Just trying to avoid a possible pitfall by asking in advance! If you need me to crawl under it during the day and snap some photographs I will but it is dark currently and raining heavy right now as well. Thanks in advance for your answer.

asked by: Ronald L

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Curt Universal Fifth Wheel Base Rail Kit # C16200 referenced in your question will work well on your 1997 Ford F-250 4x4 Long Bed. I am not sure exactly how your existing gooseneck hitch is installed, so I just recommend looking at the instructions for the Curt Rail Kit closely to check for any possible interference issues. I will say that typically a gooseneck hitch and fifth-wheel frame brackets are not able to be installed together, and one usually needs to be removed.

You will want to follow the instructions starting on page 10 for the rails, which are specific to 1997-2003 F150/250 trucks. The rear rail will be installed 29-1/4 inches from the rear edge of the truck bed. All of the necessary hardware is included.

As you mentioned in your question, if you find that the two systems will not work together, you can remove the existing gooseneck and add a gooseneck plate like the Curt Gooseneck Adapter item # 16055 once the fifth-wheel rails are installed. This will mount to the above-bed rails and features an offset ball to give you a bit more clearance.

expert reply by: Chris R