Recommended Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch, Air Bags, & Compressor For 2017 Ford F-150

Question:

Hi. I am looking to add air bags and a fifth wheel hitch to my 2017 Ford F-150 Lariat, 3.31 axles and a 5.0l engine on a short bed. I was looking for recommendations on airbags, a smart compressor with remote and the rails and 5th wheel hitch. Any help you can give is appreciated.

asked by: Donald W

Expert Reply:

We can get your 2017 Ford F-150 set up with everything you need to tow a light 5th wheel trailer, the sliding hitch, rails, 5th wheel wiring harness, air bags, and compressor. Let's go ahead and start with the hitch, and this is going to depend on your usage - camping quite a bit and longer distances or not as often and shorter distances.

- Occasional Camping/Short Distances: Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Square Tube Slider # RP30051

- Regular Camping/Longer Distances: Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Slider # C16521

There are a couple of major differences, which is why they are priced so differently, and why the A16 is better than the Reese. The biggest reason is the jaw system of the Curt, which is an interlocking dual jaw system with full contact with the king pin that is going to greatly minimize the movement in the hitch for a more comfortable ride. This is different than the Reese jaw system, which isn't going to be quite as tight a fit around the king pin. The A16 also offers 12" of slide compared to the 10" of the Reese if you need more clearance for turns.

Then for the base rails I highly recommend a custom install kit because it doesn't require any drilling into the frame of your truck, which is not only good for your truck but will also save a lot of time during the install. The custom fit for your '17 F-150 is from Reese:

- Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit with Base Rails # RP50087-58

You will also need a 5th wheel wiring harness if you don't have one, the Pollak 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Wiring Harness for Aluminum Truck Beds # PK11893-11932-010.

Moving onto the air bags, you will need an option that is compatible with a 5th wheel hitch and base rails, and for that you'll need an option from Air Lift, with the correct fit for your '17 F-150 depending on if you have 2WD or 4WD:

- 2WD: Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs # AL57268

- 4WD: Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs # AL57385

These will give your F-150's suspension the support it needs when you are towing, and are compatible with a compressor, which is a great idea since it is going to make it much easier to maintain monitor the air bags. There is a compressor that will automatically maintain the pressure you set and is wireless, though it doesn't use a remote, it allows you to just use your phone for this, and that is the Air Lift WirelessAIR Compressor System for Air Helper Springs - Bluetooth - EZ Mount # AL58WQ.