5th Wheel Hitch and Underbed Rail Options for a 2017 Ford F-250 with 6-1/2 Bed

Question:

Hello - I have a 2017 F250 6.7L with the 6.5foot bed. I am looking to get a 5th wheel hitch and trailer. I really want a setup where the hitch can be fully removed from the bed leaving no rails for full access. From what I have seen the option w/o permanent bed rails is a gooseneck to 5th wheel hitch arrangement. Is that correct or are there other options that are fully removable? If correct, would I need to first get a gooseneck installed and THEN add the 5th wheel hitch like the BandW companion? Also, I am not totally sure what if any factory installed 5th wheel options are on the truck under bed or other and am struggling to figure that out. The truck is new to me but used, so I dont have all the details. Can I find out related info by the VIN# etc? For the bed length and depending and trailer design is a sliding hitch required for tight maneuvering or is that just recommended? Seems folks get by w/o a slider type setup in a lot of cases. Finally, if I purchase all the parts I presume I could then take to some place to have it installed. I am pretty handy but probably want installation tackled by folks that do this all the time and presume some electrical work is required or can I then plug into all the ports on the existing frame mounted bumper area hitch? Appreciate the insight.

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

Thank you for all of the info!

Yes, if you are wanting to make sure that you have complete access to the 6-1/2' bed when you aren't towing with your 2017 Ford F-250 then you need an underbed rail kit like the B&W Gooseneck Hitch # BWGNRK1116.. Once this is installed you can then use the Companion 5th wheel hitch. We recommend using the sliding version # BWRVK3400-5W for cab clearance during tight turns but if you feel confident in your ability to avoid hitting your cab then you can use the stationary version # BWRVK3500-5W. I personally think investing in the sliding hitch is better just in case instead of having to do work on your newer pickup. You don't have to use the sliding feature until it is absolutely necessary.

You can actually tell if your F-250 has the OEM underbed rails by looking at the bed from above and seeing if there are 5 pucks or holes in the bed. They will actually look just like the Reese # RP87FR. If this is what you have then you can use the sliding Companion # BWRVK3370 or the stationary Companion # BWRVK3300 for a 20K or # BWRVK3305 for a 25K. If you'd rather have the pucks over the gooseneck hitch mentioned in the above paragraph then you would just need the Reese rails and either of the 3 Companion hitches that fit the OEM pucks.

You may be able to reach the OEM 7-Way at the bumper of your F-250 but we usually recommend installing an additional 7-Way like the Bargman # 50-97-410-010 which simply tees in behind your bumper 7-Way and then you make a cutout in your truck bed so your 7-Way connection is much closer.

I have attached some various installation and review videos for you to check out as well as written instructions that you can reference.