Can a 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch be Installed on a Truck with a Flatbed without Cutting the Bed

Question:

Yes I am trying to find out if I cam install a fifthwheel hitch on my 1 ton dually with a 12 foot flat bed and I want to lnow if I can with out cutting my flatbed I use it for work and it would really hurt to cut it .can ypu please help I have the hitch and rails

asked by: Robert B

Expert Reply:

I think I have a solution for you that will not require cutting the flatbed. But the coffee mug is going to have to move.

The first thing you are going to need to do is position the rails using the hitch. The centerline of the hitch should be directly over the centerline of the rear axle or slightly forward. With the rails in position mark where you will need to drill through the bed.

On the underside of the bed you will need to have a 1/2 inch steel plate welded and bolted to the frame rails. You will then need to bolt the rails through the bed and through the steel plate using 5/8 inch hardware obtained locally. Use grade 5 or better hardware. Using 5 bolts per rail is recommended for a total of 10.

Basically you are following the instructions for hitch # RP30054 except it is not completely the same since you have rails and are using 10 bolts instead of just 4. This installation requires a qualified professional hitch installer with experience in custom jobs like this.

expert reply by: Michael H