Availability of No-Drill Fifth Wheel Hitch Frame Brackets for 2009 GMC Sierra 2500 Short Bed

Question:

I have a 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD short box 6.5ft. Im looking for a custom 5th wheel mounting bracket and hardware kit to minimize drilling. I already have rails so I just need the custom brackets and mounting hardware. I notice there are different brands. What are my options and which one do you recommend? Thanks.

asked by: Dana K

Expert Reply:

Can you tell me who manufactured your bed rails? In order to maintain a known weight capacity, it is highly recommended that the bed rails you use and the frame mounting brackets be from the same manufacturer. If you use different manufacturers, you'll find yourself in a situation where the bed rails and frame brackets have not been tested together and the weight capacity might be reduced from what it should be.

Reese offers a frame bracket kit # RP50064. The bracket kit does not require any drilling into the truck frame, but you will need to drill into the truck bed to join the bed rails to the frame brackets. The bracket kit does include hardware to mount the brackets to the frame, but the bed rail hardware is sold separately as part # RP58430. You do NOT want to reuse your existing bed rail hardware. It's good for a single use only. Reese has been in the towing business for quite a long time, and they're very well respected.

If your rails are from another manufacturer, please let me know who the manufacturer is, and I'd be happy to make some recommendations.

expert reply by: Mike L