5th Wheel Mounting Rail Kit for 1997 Ford F-150

Question:

What brackets would I need for installation of a 5th wheel hitch in a 97 f150 long bed

asked by: Leslie B

Expert Reply:

You were on the right track with the Reese Universal Base Rails # RP30035 ! This kit will mount to the frame of your truck and works on both the 6-1/2 foot and 8 foot beds on the F-150. This kit will provide you with a set of bed rails to install any 5th wheel hitch that mounts into the industry standard 5th wheel rails- the only drawback is that there is some drilling required for this kit.

For that reason you may instead want to go with the Curt Custom Installation kit # C16437-204 which provides a no-drill installation into the frame on your 1997 F-150 and provides you with base rails that are compatible with 5th wheel hitches that use the industry standard 5th wheel rails.

If you can let me know what kind of 5th Wheel hitch you're currently using I can confirm whether or not it will mount to these industry standard rails. If you're in the market for a new 5th wheel hitch, have a look at the Curt 20k # C16140 which is a reliable and durable hitch with a 20,000-lb capacity. This is a dual jaw style head that provides 360 degree kingpin contact for less rattle and more security than slide bar jaws .

expert reply by: Erik B