5th wheel hitch question

[powerstrokepuller]

Hello everyone. New to the forum.

I have a 2006 F250 that I need to put a 5th wheel hitch in.

I was orginally thinking the hide a ball gooseneck with an adapter, but after reading the forums, I am beginning to rethink that that position.

I don't like the rails that come associated with the 5th wheel hitch. I have a bed liner (drop in), and would rather not cut a large section out to accomodate the rails. So my question is , are there any systems out there that have rails under the bed, and don't cost an arm and a leg? I am looking at spending $600 or so. Any recommendations?

A Smith

[powerstrokepuller]

Hello everyone. New to the forum.

I have a 2006 F250 that I need to put a 5th wheel hitch in.

I was orginally thinking the hide a ball gooseneck with an adapter, but after reading the forums, I am beginning to rethink that that position.

I don't like the rails that come associated with the 5th wheel hitch. I have a bed liner (drop in), and would rather not cut a large section out to accomodate the rails. So my question is , are there any systems out there that have rails under the bed, and don't cost an arm and a leg? I am looking at spending $600 or so. Any recommendations?

A Smith

[Richard K]

Valley makes one that has the mounting rails under the bed. I don't have one so I can't attest to the quality.

[RustyJC]

While I strongly advise against using a gooseneck adapter that attaches to the 5th wheel pinbox, B&W manufactures a turnoverball gooseneck as well as an 18K rated, double pivot 5th wheel hitch that mounts off the gooseneck receiver. This provides the capability to tow either a gooseneck or 5th wheel trailer and leaves a clean bed when desired. More info HERE.

Rusty

[Rick A]

Pullrite has a Super Rail Mounting Kit that does not require cutting bed mats or liners. The rails and pins that hold them are removable for a clean bed.

[RobG]

If I get my 5th wheel, I'll be going the B&W route like Rusty suggested. I've looked at all the various hitch options and I think this is the best one.

Rob

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

I would add my ditto to what's already been said.

I'm a bit afraid of those adapters. It seems to me they are a bit like slipping a pipe over the handle of a wrench to use as a "cheater bar" for more leverage. Unless the people who built the frame say in writing that it can handle the extra force and won't void the warranty, I'd do something else.

I have one of the B&W's with the Companion 5th wheel hitch, because I wanted the bed free of rails when I wasn't using the hitch. I thought I might pick up a beater truck camper for hunting or something, and didn't want to mess with cutting some plywood or whatever to fit around the rails and provide a flat surface.

I'm pretty happy with it. It pivots 4 ways, the jaws are really solid, and when it's hitched it is clear to see that the jaws are around the groove in the pin.

The only drawback is that it requires tools to install and remove. Since I never did get a camper, but do haul quads, it would have been simpler for me to get one that uses rails.

Actually, if I had it to do over again I'd have gotten a dually, and one of the air ride 5th wheel hitches...

[RobG]

Jeff:

What's required to install and remove it? Very curious since it's the one I want. If it's still fairly easy to do, I'll be okay with it. If it's work, then I may have to look for other alternatives.

I looked into the air-ride hitches and at $2500-3000, it's not something I could do right now.

Rob

[KC5GRW]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RobG:
Jeff:

What's required to install and remove it?

Rob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Pull the pin from under the wheel well.
Remove the ball from the hole.
Drop the hitch base post into the hole.
Release the pin so that it engages in the post.
Tighten the vertical bolt so that it tightens the post against the pin.
Tighten the 4 u-bolt nuts against the post.
Drop the hitch head onto the base.
Insert the head pins.

It's really quite simple and doesn't take all that long, usually less than 15 minutes.

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

Yeah, that's pretty much it. I usually use a torque wrench to set the top bolt to the specified torque (40# if I recall correctly).

Pulling it back out is basically pulling two pins, removing the head from the rest of the unit, loosening 4 nuts for the 2 U bolts, loosen the top bolt, then jump out of the truck to pull the release handle and turn it to lock it, then jump back in to pull the base unit out of the socket...

It isn't a major big deal, but not as quick as pulling 4 pins and removing the hitch, like pulling a regular one off rails. I always carry a set of deep wells and torque wrench anyway (to check the lug nuts on the 5th wheel and so on).

Are you on dieseltruckresource.com? In my photo gallery there (Jeff in TD) I think I have photos showing the companion hitch...

[96PSD]

I just got my 2006 F350 dually last month and will be getting a B&W Turnover and companion hitch installed next week. Looking forward to hauling the fiver.

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

Be sure to measure twice (or three or four times) before you run that 4" hole saw through the bed of your new truck...

[Sixgunz]

I have a PullRite Super 5th hitch, 20.5k lbs, and when it's out, the bed is totally clean with nothing showing.

The only holes in the bed are four 1.5" holes.

I forget how much I paid for it, but it was around $1400 installed. It's higher than what you said you were looking for, but I thought I'd throw it in for consideration.

As far as quality, this is my 2nd PullRite hitch & they're top notch.

[Ray,IN]

There is no hitch that does not require cutting at least one hole through your drop-in bed-liner. The B&W, and Pullrite require the least invasive install. Before buying a gooseneck adapter, read the Zieman/Lippert frame warranty carefully. It specifically warns against using one for a reason.
When I bought my first 5er, I had the bed-rails installed for a Reese 5er hitch. I simply removed the drop-in bed liner when using the hitch. When the hitch was removed, the bed liner fit over, and covered, the rails to haul dirt and stone in the bed liner.