Bolts for Truck Bed in the Way of 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Install on a 1993 Ford F-250 XLT Long Bed

Question:

Ive got a 1993 F-250XLT long bed and a Reese 20K fifth wheel hitch and L brackets for mounting on the frame. What Ive discovered is that the bed is bolted onto the frame right where the brackets appear to want to go. Would anything be disturbed if I moved the hitch about three inches to the front of the truck? Just enough to get the brackets to fit. Thank you for any help!

asked by: Michael S

Expert Reply:

That is strange because the Reese universal installation kit # RP30035 that has those L-brackets is listed as a fit for your 1993 Ford F-250. Let's make sure that you have the rails in the right place which will also show us the bracket locations.

On your truck you will want to measure from the rear edge of the truck bed forward 32-1/2 inches. This is where the back edge of the rear rail will be. You would then use the hitch to locate the front rail. This would put the center of the hitch approximately 4 inches forward of the center line of the rear axle.

It sounds like you are trying to install the brackets a little to far back so that would cause interference with the bed sill. They do need to move forward on the frame. Take a look at the picture I have included that shows where everything should be on your truck.

expert reply by: Michael H