How to Determine if Rails are Standard Fifth Wheel Rails

Question

Question:

I just purchased a used truck that has the rails already installed in the bed. I am considering the purchase of a new Curt 16KE5 fifth wheel hitch. I would like to know the hitch dimensions so as to determine if the slot locations in my rails will directly mate with this hitch. The bed rails are the required 22inch apart fore and aft in the bed. There are sets of mounting slots at 5, 10 3/8, and 14.5inch either side of the rail center line, indicative of a leg width of twice those dimensions. Can you advise if the Curt 16K hitch will fit with these installed rails?

asked by: Dave C

0

Expert Reply:

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 dimensions so that other manufacturers hitches would fit into them. Check out the picture I attached to see dimensions of standard rails and compare them to yours.

If you do determine that you do have standard size rails the Curt E5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # 16516 that you referenced would definitely work for you. I attached installation instructions for this hitch.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Tommy R.

7/24/2020

I bought a used curt fifth wheel hitch, it came off a Chevy truck will the L brackets that bolt to the frame be the same or will I need different ones????Thank you

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Chris R.

7/29/2020

Even if the same model brackets can be used with your new truck, you'll want to replace them anyway because they aren't designed to be installed more than once. The brackets and hardware will lose their integrity. If you can tell me what specific model truck you have I will be happy to recommend a new (and compatible) install kit.

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Tommy R.

7/30/2020

@ChrisR 1999 Dodge 2500 six and half feet long

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Jon G.

8/9/2020

@TommyR For your application you can use the Reese Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit # RP30035. This has the same L brackets you mentioned and will work with any 5th wheel hitch that fits to industry standard base rails.

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Answer 1

Hi James, To my knowledge the Reese Goosebox is the only replacement option that won't void the frame warranty. That being said, the frame warranty is typically only a year so you really aren't losing much voiding it, especially if…

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Answer 2

Most fifth wheel rails are made to the same industry standard dimensions. They aren't all though. If you measure 22 inches on center between the two rails and they look like the rails of the #RP30035 that you referenced they would be the…

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Answer 3

The wiring colors shown in the picture you submitted don't match totally with industry standard 7-way wiring colors but I can still help you get them connected where they belong. Most likely it looks like the bundles red and orange wires are…

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Answer 4

The complete base rail kit that is designed to fit your 2004 Ford F-250 short bed and will work perfectly with the Curt E16 hitch is the part #C16443-204. This includes both the base rails and the custom brackets that will use existing holes in the…

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Answer 5

I have some good news for you. The B&W Patriot 5th wheel trailer hitch #BWRVK3270 fits in industry standard above the bed rails. If your rails have mounting slots on the tops that are spaced like those in the picture I have included then the…

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Answer 6

The Gen-Y Hitch 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box part #GY58GR is primarily designed for long bed trucks. It's no different than a standard fifth wheel pin box in regards to the size. If you were using a fixed hitch and standard pin box before with…

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Answer 7

Some of the RBW hitches fit the industry standard rails but not all of them did. Since RBW is no longer in business we cannot contact them with your hitch to know for certain. But what you can do is compare the dimension picture I attached to see if…

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Answer 8

Either way is correct. It depends on if you want to keep the semi-style 7-Way (if you need to tow that type of trailer) or if you will never be towing a semi-trailer. If you need to keep the 7-Way semi active on the truck, then you would need to make…

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Answer 9

I was able to find that your 2003 Chevy Silverado with a Duramax diesel engine has a towing capacity of 12,000 lbs.

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

When installing the Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Roller, part #16516 on your Ford Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty you will want approximately 5 or 6 inches of clearance between the camper and the bed rails. I also spoke with my contact at…

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Answer 12

The RBW Lil Rocker fifth wheel hitch will fit industry standard fifth wheel rails so I have a great solution for you. I would recommend a custom install fifth wheel rail kit like the Curt part #C16420-204. This will install in about half the time as…

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How to Determine if Rails are Standard Fifth Wheel Rails

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