Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch For High Bed Rails on 2017 Ford F-250 With Puck System

Question:

I have a 2017 f250 crew cab 6 1/2 bed that has the Fifth wheel prep pkg. and I presently bought a 2019 coachman chaparral lite fifth wheel which has the turn tec engineering , problem is ford raised their bed heights in 2017 measures 19 therefore I’m having trouble clearing my bedrails on short turns. The dealer sold me an Andersen because I need something light weight I’m old but found out my rv isn’t compatible with the Anderson. Then a Reese sidewinder was recommended but it won’t work so there has to be a solution to my problem. I’m hoping you can help me out seems the dealer knows zero. I now own an Andersen hitch that they recommended, I can’t use and they won’t take back even if they had another recommendation. Please help! Prior to this I had another fifth wheel never had issues but I love my new chaparral lite and don’t want to modify it nor my truck which was another suggestion. There has to be a hitch that will work so I’m hoping you can help with my dilemma ! Looking forward to hearing from you. Txs.

asked by: Connie H

Expert Reply:

I think we can help you out with a sliding 5th wheel hitch for your 2017 Ford F-250 with the puck system, and I'm sorry to hear about the troubles you are having with the dealer, as that's pretty lousy of them to not take back a part they recommended even though it won't work.

I do have to say that there just is not going to be a light weight option. Fixed 5th wheel hitches are heavy, and sliding hitches, with the larger base, are heavier still. I know you said you have the Turn Tec Engineering, but I'm not certain if you'll have the turn clearance you need with a fixed 5th wheel hitch, so I do recommend going with a slider.

For that, you have a couple options, both of which involve the Curt A16 5th wheel hitch. The reason is, this hitch has the highest setting available at 21-1/2 inches tall, and the A16 that fits your 2017 F-250's puck system is the following:

- Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch with Slider for Ford Towing Prep Package # C16520-16020

But we can actually get you even more height if you want, allowing the A16 to go all the way to to 23-1/2 inches by using the standard sliding hitch and an adapter for the puck system. That would require the following parts:

- Adapter Rails for Curt 5th Wheel Hitch # C88KR
- Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch with R16 Slider # C16521

The adapter rails allow the standard A16 to sit 2 inches higher than normal, and this is the most height you will be able to get, allowing you to clear your bed rails and tow level. The A-Series is a fantastic all-around hitch with extremely strong interlocking dual jaws, and is also easy to use with a color-coded indicator system that tells you when the jaws on the hitch are ready to couple, uncouple, or tow.

I think this is definitely the best solution to allow you to clear your bed rails, giving you a great hitch that allows you to continue to use your Coachmen 5th wheel trailer.