Differences Between Above and Under Bed Fifth Wheel Hitch Mounts for 2020 Ford F350

Question:

I don't understand the difference between under bed and above bed fifth wheel installation rails for a 2020 Ford F350, would you please explain?

asked by: Jack D

Expert Reply:

There are two ways to install a fifth wheel hitch on a pick up truck. One would be to use standard bed-mounted rails. Brackets are mounted to the truck frame with the bed rails sitting directly above. Holes are drilled down through the truck bed to correspond with holes in the brackets bolted to the frame, allowing the bed rails to be securely bolted down. The rails have slots in them that allow the hitch to be installed and removed pretty conveniently. The problem here is that once the hitch is removed, the rails remain in the truck bed which can be an inconvenience if you use your truck bed a lot, especially for loads that need to be shoveled or raked out like rock or mulch.

There are also options that bolt to the frame, but allow a hitch installed in the bed to be pretty easily removed without leaving any obstructions behind in the truck bed. One alternative would be the B&W Companion, part # BWRVK3500-5W. This hitch installs into a B&W Turnover Ball gooseneck hitch as the mount, part # BWGNRK1116-5W. B&W makes an awesome product, and this option gives you the ability to tow either a gooseneck or a fifth wheel trailer while leaving your bed free of obstructions when you're not towing. It only involves one hole being cut into your truck bed. Another option like the mounts available from Reese or Demco use pucks mounted flush in the truck bed kind of like the factory tow prep package. The Reese # RP87FR would allow you to use any fifth wheel hitch that's compatible with the Ford factory tow/prep package. Another alternative is the Demco underbed mount system, part # DM8551009. Demco under bed mounts are only compatible with Demco UMS compatible hitches like # DM8550032.

expert reply by: Mike L