Recommended Base Rail Kit and Reese 16K 5th Wheel Hitch for a 2012 Ford F-150 with 6-1/2 Bed

Question:

Which part number fits a 2012 Ford 150 6-1/2' bed Platinum 5th wheel kit? Looking to get a Reese 16K hitch.

asked by: CRAIG S

Expert Reply:

For a base rail kit I recommend using the Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit # RP50081-58. This custom kit installs on your 2012 Ford F-150 without drilling into your frame and it gives you the industry standard rails that can accommodate most 5th wheel hitches out there.

Since you have a 6-1/2' bed you will want to go with a sliding 5th wheel hitch so as to avoid trailer to cab collision on your F-150. I recommend using the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30075 which features round tube slider rails which are much less likely to bind than the square slider rails.

This trailer hitch has a 4-Way pivoting head which makes hooking up to your trailer much easier on unlevel ground. It also has 3" of height adjustment to help give you a level towing setup and can travel 11" for that added clearance. The dual jaws provide 360 degrees of contact with your king pin which helps to limit chucking.

I also recommend installing the Curt # C56000 which gives you an additional 7-Way connector in the bed of your pickup to make connecting and disconnecting your trailer wiring much easier.

Installation instructions and some review videos have been linked for you to reference as well.