Best Above Bed 5th Wheel Hitch for a 2015 Ford F-350 Short Bed Without Factory Prep Package

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Question:

I have a 2015 f35o diesel short bed. No factory bed tow package. What is the best hitch and above bed rail set up you guys have for this.. I have a 12000 pound 5th wheel I will be towing. I guess I need a sliding hitch? What do you guys recommend for me to get from your supply....you have so many choices!!

asked by: John W

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Expert Reply:

I have two great options for your 2015 Ford F-350 short bed without the factory prep package. The best option I have for you is the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # DM8550034 with the Demco Hijacker Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit part # DM8552000-71. The reason that this is the best option for you is because it is the most convenient. As you mentioned, a slider hitch is needed for turning clearance because you have a short bed truck. The Demco Hijacker will automatically slide the trailer back away from the vehicle to create clearance while turning which means you don't have to get out of the truck to engage the slider and then again to release it once you're done turning.

The second best option is the Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Slider part # C16521 with the Curt Custom 5th Wheel Installation Kit for Ford part # C16424-204. The Curt A25 is an excellent choice and one of my favorite 5th wheel hitches on the market. The reason for this is because it has 1" think dual interlocking jaws which do a phenomenal job of reducing chucking and its one pin head removal system which allows for one person to install and remove the hitch all by themself.

In order to compete your towing setup you will also most likely need an in-bed 7-way for which I recommend using the Pollak 5th Wheel / Gooseneck T-Connector part # PK11893-11932.

expert reply by: Conner L

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Answer 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

Most fifth wheel rails are made to the same industry standard dimensions. They aren't all though. If you measure 22 inches on center between the two rails and they look like the rails of the #RP30035 that you referenced they would be the industry…

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Answer 6

To get the B&W Patriot #BWRVK3200 to work with your 2006 Dodge Ram you're going to need a set of 5th wheel rails #DM8552016-71. These rails are custom fit to your vehicle so they'll just bolt right up to the frame. It is worth mentioning…

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Answer 7

As far as height adjustability and weight capacities the Curt Q20 #C16130 and the Curt A20 #C16140 are identical. They both have a Gross Towing Weight of 20,000 lbs, a Vertical Load Limit of 5,000 lbs, and a height range of 13-17 inches. When it…

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Answer 8

Beds shorter than 8 foot do commonly need a slider hitch David, but a lot of modern fifth wheel trailers are now made with tapered noses to help and in a lot of cases a slider isn't required. So if the trailer you plan to tow has a tapered nose…

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Answer 9

Yes you are - all 5th wheel hitches are going to require some type of rails in order to be used. So you'd need #DM8552016-71 for your 2006 Dodge Ram.

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Answer 10

Yes, it will! The B&W Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches item #BWRVR3200 includes industry standard 5th wheel rails that are compatible with the Reese 30032 5th wheel hitch. The Reese 30032 uses the same…

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Answer 11

The difference between a slide bar jaw and a dual jaw is how tightly the fifth wheel king pin is held. Both do a good job securing the king pin, preventing it from coming loose. The Dual Jaw will hold the king pin much more tightly, preventing the…

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Answer 12

So for your set up, a 2021 Ram 2500 short bed with the RamBoxes, you will need to use a Sidewinder in order to have the clearance to tow a 5th wheel. The Goose Box doesn't move the pivot point and an offset ball just won't be enough for…

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Best Above Bed 5th Wheel Hitch for a 2015 Ford F-350 Short Bed Without Factory Prep Package

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