How Do I Install Fifth Wheel Rails in The Bed of My Pickup

Question

Question:

i need to know how wide the brackets are at the bottom on the fifth wheel and how far apart the rails have to be mounted on the truck.

asked by: jimmy h

0

Expert Reply:

The rails in the bed of your pickup are installed so that the king pin will be just forward of the rear axle when hitched. The mounting location is vehicle specific and if you would like to provide your trucks year, make, model bed length and cab style I would be glad to get instructions to you and make a recommendation for an installation kit for your truck.

When mounting a fifth wheel hitch the first measurement you use is the distance from the farthest back part of the bed, tailgate removed, to the specific measurement for your truck and bed length (can be found in fifth wheel rails installation instruction manual) to the rear edge of the rear rail. You then use the fifth wheel hitch as a guide to position the front rail and a tape measure to measure diagonally and square things up. I have provided a set of instructions for the Reese Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit, item # RP30035, for you to review.

The Rails themselves are 43 inches long and 5-1/2 inches wide. The rails will be mounted somewhere between 20-1/2 inches and 22 inches apart in the bed depending on your hitch choice and your vehicle. The Legs on the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - 20,000 lbs, item # RP30928, are 20-15/16 inches on center apart.

expert reply by: Robert G

0

Shane G.

9/5/2020

I have a 1996 crew cab long bed dually what is the measurement for the rail close to the cab I am using a curt q25 thanks

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Jon G.

9/8/2020

You'll need to look at the instructions linked to this answer page for that answer as I'm not sure what make or model truck you have.

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Kenneth S.

8/1/2020

Have a 2000 F250 6’10 1/2” bed where do I put the brackets at. TIA

Reply

Jon G.

8/11/2020

It kind of depends on what base rail kit you have. If you are using the Reese Universal Rail Kit # RP30035 mentioned above then you're going to need to check out the installation instructions on the product page because it's honestly a little hard to describe in words without using all of the descriptions they have on their instructions page. Just be sure that you're looking at the correct year/make/model.

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Chris S.

7/5/2020

I have a 2016 silverado 2500 6'7" bed were should the rear rail be mounted

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Chris R.

7/9/2020

In the install manual for the Reese Base Rail Kit # RP50066-58, which is designed specifically for your Silverado, it states that the back edge of the rear rail will sit 24-5/8" up from the back of the truck bed.

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Paul F.

6/15/2020

where do I install 5th wheel bed rails in a 2017 f250 single cab with 8 ft bed

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Chris R.

6/18/2020

For the rail and install kit I recommend the Reese # RP50074-58. On your 2017 F-250 long bed the back of the rear rail will sit 29-1/2" from the back of the bed.

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Jason K.

5/24/2020

I have only the rails. I have a 2013 ram 3500 cm flat bed. Any ideas on the measurements to mount the rails ?

Reply

Chris R.

5/27/2020

A flat bed truck like your Ram will require a custom install. Unfortunately I can't provide rail measurements since not all flat beds are the same. Typically rails aren't used at all for this application and instead a special hitch, such as the Reese Low-Profile # RP30054, is actually welded or bolted directly to the truck's frame.

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Bryan G.

3/20/2020

What are the measurements from the rear of bed for a 2011 Ram 3500 long bed crew cab for a standard rail system? Mounting the rear rail? I bought it used Curt 20k.

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Chris R.

3/22/2020

The exact placement will depend somewhat on the rail/bracket kit you're using. If you happen to have the Curt Rail Kit # C16420-204, which is custom designed for your Ram, the rear base rail will be positioned 28-3/8" from the rear of the bed. This measurement is taken from the rear of the bed to the rear of the base rail. If you have a different model kit just let me know.

Helpful Links

Fifth-Wheel-Installation-Kit/Curt/C16420-204.html

Reply

Paul R.

3/27/2013

mounting location for 2013 Toyota tundra double cab 6.5 bedthanks

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Patrick B.

4/16/2013

Check out part RP30035-309. The instruction links on that page will have the information about installing the rails on the truck.

Reply

Belinda A.

3/28/2021

@PatrickB I have a 08 Ford f250 w an 8' foot bed

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Kef G.

3/30/2021

@BelindaA For a 5th wheel for your 08 Ford F-250, we have the Reese Universal Base Rails, part # RP30035. For the hitch itself, we have the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, part # RP30047.

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Answer 1

The Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness with 7-Pole Plug #41157 you were looking at is confirmed to fit your 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab Dual Rear Wheel with the 8' Bed and is exactly what you need for…

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Answer 2

When it comes to installing the gooseneck wiring on your 2022 Ford F-250 Super Duty The Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness with 7-Pole Plug #41157 will work for your vehicle. The harness plugs into the factory wiring and…

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Answer 3

Congrats on the new truck! I do not recommend an under bed mounting system over above bed rails. After market under bed systems have limitations on what type of hitches and pin boxes you can use and sometimes expensive adapters are required. There is…

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Answer 4

There are two horizontal positions that the B and W Patriot Slider part #BWRVK3270 can be in when installing in a set of fifth wheel rails. The forward-most position of the hitch head will get you the closest to the center between the rails. It will…

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Answer 5

If the hitch model you referenced is the Lil Rocker, it will fit in Reese 5th wheel rails. For an installation kit that will also fit your 2009 Ford F-150, I recommend the custom installation kit #RP50081-58 that you have referenced. The custom…

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Answer 6

I am not very familiar with the Blue Ox Super Ride 5th Wheel Hitch but there is simply no competition when it comes to the B&W Companion OEM 5th-Wheel Hitch part #BWRVK3300 which is the best option on the market for a 2017 Ford F-350. The B&W…

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Answer 7

It sounds like you have the Curt Universal Fifth Wheel Base Rails #C16104 that you're wanting to install on your 2017 Ford F-150. With this being the case I recommend getting the Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Bracket Kit #C86WR which comes with custom…

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Answer 8

The Curt Custom 5th Wheel Installation Kit 16424-104 is designed to fit the 2011 to 2016 Ford F-250, F-350, and F-450 Super Duty trucks. I checked with Curt and, unfortunately, they currently do not have a kit available to fit the 5-1/2 foot option…

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Answer 9

The best custom rail kit with the highest capacity for your 2022 Ford F-150 is going to be the Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Ford - Gloss Finish item #C93WR. These custom brackets mount beneath your truck bed to provide attachment…

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Answer 10

It sounds like you could have a set of standard fifth wheel rails that most manufacturers use for their fifth wheel hitches to install into. The different manufacturers all make their own brand of rail kit, but they all have basically the same…

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Answer 11

The main difference between the RoadActive Suspension #RAS54FR and #RAS4611, will be the weight capacities. Both of these will install and function the exact same way, but the #RAS54FR will have a maximum capacity of 3,000 pounds and should be used…

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Answer 12

The RoadActive Suspension kit you'd want for your 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Trail Boss that has the factory 2 inch lift is the part #RAS54FR. This is the best suspension enhancement available for your truck as it gives support and stability while…

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