5th Wheel Hitch for 2012 Ford F-150 Short Bed Without Prep Package

Question

Question:

I am looking at the 5th wheel hitch for a 2012 ford f150 6.6 ft bed 5.0 it normally has a capacity of i think 7800lbs what would it be with the 5th wheel I want to tow a camper with it and how hard is the install? and can it be removed when not in use or is it always in the bed?

asked by: Brian

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Expert Reply:

To find the 5th wheel towing capacity of your 2012 Ford F-150 you will have to look at the 2012 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide. There will be a chart that lets you match up all of the specs on your F-150 to find the maximum loaded trailer weight.

Assuming you went with the B&W Patriot # BWRVK3270 you were looking at, you will also need the Base Rails # BWRVK2404. Installation of the hitch itself is fairly simple. The rails require some measuring and drilling to install. Once installed, the 5th wheel hitch can be removed but the rails will be sitting in the bed.

If you want full bed access without base rails in the way you need the B&W Companion # BWRVK3400-5W instead. This installs in the Custom Underbed Installation Kit # BWGNRK1104-5W. This also adds a gooseneck hitch which gives you additional options for towing. When not in use, the turnoverball stores upside down in the hitch so nothing will be in the way in your truck bed.

I have attached some installation and review videos below for your reference.

expert reply by: Robin H

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Answer 1

The owner's manual for the 2014 Ford F-150 only shows the gross combined weight rating which is the most that the truck and trailer can weigh together. So I checked the towing guide from Ford for the 2014 model year. Capacity is also dependent…

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Answer 2

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 3

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 4

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from the…

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Answer 5

Yes, you are going to also need the Demco Autoslide Capture Plates for Trailair Rota-Flex Pin Boxes #DM6171 when using the Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider #DM8550040 with your Road Armor pin box. For a suspension enhancement I…

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Answer 6

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 industry…

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Answer 7

To get the B&W Patriot #BWRVK3200 to work with your 2006 Dodge Ram you're going to need a set of 5th wheel rails #DM8552016-71. These rails are custom fit to your vehicle so they'll just bolt right up to the frame. It is worth mentioning…

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Answer 8

The head alone for the B&W Companion hitch #BWRVK3500 weighs about 70 pounds. Everything else weighs about 130 pounds. So the total weight of the hitch is approximately 200 pounds.

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Answer 9

The Ram OEM 5th wheel puck system, shown in the linked photo and article, was launched in 2013 so what you have in your truck is likely to be an aftermarket installation of some kind. These newer Ram trucks with the factory prep can directly accept a…

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Answer 10

You do not have to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch in a short bed truck. In many cases, truck beds shorter than 8 ft do not have enough clearance between the trailer and truck to execute sharp turns. This is why sliding hitches were invented. Due to…

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Answer 11

There are a couple of options that'll work great with your Lippert Turning Point Pin Box, however one hitch stands out to me more than others. Take a look at the: -Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs #C16115 This 5th…

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Answer 12

Thank you for the photo of your 2016 Ram 3500's bed rail which sits 59-inches above ground. You are correct that the recommended minimum clearance between a bed rail and the underside of the trailer's overhang is 5 to 6-inches, as shown in…

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