Are Demco Base Plates with 4 Mounting Slots Compatible with Industry Standard Hitches

Question:

I have a set of older hijacker rails mounted in my truck and noticed that mine only have 4 slots and the ones you have the dm6014 have 6 slots will these accept a different hitch if i decided to change hitches lets say a curt q16 slider that a friend has offered me dont really want to have to change my mounting brackets and drill more holes in my bed

asked by: Shawn R

Helpful Expert Reply:

The older Demco base rails you have installed on your truck are likely just missing the two inner slots that are usually found on industry standard rails. These inner slots, on rails that have them, are spaced 10 inches apart on center and really only used for a gooseneck plate. There aren't any current fifth-wheel hitches that would use these slots. With this in mind, as long as the Demco rails on your truck feature industry-standard spacing for the 4 slots they do have, they will work well if you ever decide to use your buddy's Curt slider hitch like # C16521 or any other industry-standard hitch in the future.

You can take a look at the image I have attached which clarifies the industry standard measurements for the 4 slots that should be on your base rails. You will just want to verify that the measurements are the same on your existings rails.

expert reply by: Chris R