Reese Elite Slider Hitch Recommendation for a 2013 Ford F-250 with Hitch Prep
Question:
I have a 2013 f-250, short 6 3/4 bed, with the factory prep package for 5th wheel. I have heard the factory prep package is in fact, Reese undermount rails, or pucks? is that right. It appears the RP30144 is a bolt in hitch, with a slider that will work for my truck. It is not however, very clear about how it does it. Does it simply line up with the holes in my bed? Is there some mechanism that secures it/releases it when I dont want it? Also, how does the slider work? is this a get out and throw the lever when you need more room slider? When does the hitch slide? Thanks for any info Oh yeah, it seems the spec list says it comes with a wiring harness. For your info the Ford prep package has that so I dont need it. It would seem to make sense to offer a Prep Packageinch hitch without that for $50 less maybe?
asked by: John L
Helpful Expert Reply:
You are correct, the Ford hitch prep package for 5th wheel hitches is basically just a Reese Elite Series under-bed rail system. The Reese Elite Series Pre-Assembled 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider # RP30144 that you referenced will just simply drop into the pucks of your under-bed rails in your truck bed.
Just to the inside of the feet of the hitch there are levers that twist the feet to operate the inserts that lock the hitch to the pucks. Check out the picture I attached that shows the levers. The inserts on the feet of the hitch are rectangular and they fit into a rectangular hole, so once they are twisted 90 degrees it prevents them from coming out.
You will need to get out and throw the lever of the slider to operate it. Whenever you get in a parking lot or anywhere else where you will need to make tight corners you will want to have it slid back in the maneuver position. You will need to stop, get out of your truck operate the slider so that it can be slid, and then pull forward until it locks into place. Then you will be in the maneuver position.
To get back into tow mode you will reverse that process. Except you will back the truck up once the slider is unlocked.
I attached an FAQ on fifth wheel hitches for you to check out also.
The wiring harness that comes with the Elite hitches is a harness that will allow you to put a 7 way up in the bed of your truck so that it will be easier to hook up the wiring harness of a fifth wheel trailer. If you are already have two 7-ways on your truck (one at the rear of your truck and one in the bed of your truck) I apologize because we do not sell the hitches without the harnesses.
