Existing truck bed connection, any value?

[kone]

Complete newbie, sorry in advance. Wife and I are getting close to purchasing a smallish 5er to see the US a few weeks at a time.

Probably putting the cart before the horse but ...Truck for sale at local dealer locally has the attachment brackets installed but nothing else as far as I know. Is there any value or negative to them? Better to start with nothing?

Beautiful 15 F250 Lariat fwiw.

If someone wants to correct me on part name please do

[Spdracr39]

It just cost me $850.00 to add rails to my truck so I would say yes. You get your hitch to match whatever type of rail system you have installed.

[TRebel]

It depends on what type of hitch you want to use.
Many fifth wheel hitches use the same rails... Reese and several others.

If you want to use something like a B&W, the rails are of no use to you, but it is not a problem to leave them mounted in the bed of the truck either.

[Oldelevatorman]

No need to apologise, we were all newbies once. Just remember an F250 will limit your size of fifth wheel. Good luck!

[dcarver]

No added value in the used market. Dealer doesn't care when they take it in trade

[DukeofDburg]

They look like "industry standard bedrails". Here's a link with more information and what hitches fit https://www.etrailer.com/question-159246.html

[kone]

Originally Posted by Oldelevatorman

No need to apologise, we were all newbies once. Just remember an F250 will limit your size of fifth wheel. Good luck!

Thanks. At this point our plan is a smallish 5er. We were looking at a tt but think a 5er makes for a nicer rig to pull around the US and into various parks.

Originally Posted by dcarver

No added value in the used market. Dealer doesn't care when they take it in trade

My point was is there any use to me or is it just a throw away.

Thanks, all.

[TripleEEE]

Originally Posted by DukeofDburg

They look like "industry standard bedrails". Here's a link with more information and what hitches fit https://www.etrailer.com/question-159246.html

X2

Good info...

[kone]

Originally Posted by DukeofDburg

They look like "industry standard bedrails". Here's a link with more information and what hitches fit https://www.etrailer.com/question-159246.html

Thanks. Watched a bunch of hitch videos that were good general explanation for newbies like me.

[Oldelevatorman]

If you have a truck accessory shop near you they may have different hitches etc. to look at and could help you figure things out.

[TRebel]

Originally Posted by kone

Thanks. At this point our plan is a smallish 5er. We were looking at a tt but think a 5er makes for a nicer rig to pull around the US and into various parks.



My point was is there any use to me or is it just a throw away.

Thanks, all.

Yes, a 5'er is much nicer to pull.

No, not throw away parts. The rails in the mounted in the bed will work with many hitches. Decide what hitch you want to use, before you think about removing the rails.

[mrgrayaz]

As mentioned those are ISR's or Industry Standard Rails. They are universal and basically all hitches fit them.

The other option is the Ford Puck system, which is a better system in my opinion (all below the bed) but much more limited in hitch choice. Either is fine.

Skip the F-250. You'll start with a smaller 5er and then want to move up. This is a mistake many people make.

Get a F-350 w/camper package.

[cfowler55]

The rails themselves are not that big a deal.. The labor to install is another story. Two styles - one requires no frame drilling so cheaper to install. Too bad you aren't in central Texas. I have a 16k Reese used twice. Then I bought a new truck with prep package.

[bluie5]

If you do buy it have the bolts all re-torqued.