Community Forums

Captainkoop · 06-10-2014, 07:24 AM

Some of the trucks on the lot have been ordered by dealer with this option, however the one we are looking at does not. Is there a difference better or worse and or is factory installed stronger than after market etc?

Koop

SmokeyWren · 06-10-2014, 08:22 AM

The Ford parts are slightly stronger than the Reese Elite parts you can buy from hitch sources such as etrailer.com and amazon.com. But the Reese Elite parts are still all you need for any 5er less than about 25k GVWR. If you really want the Ford parts, you can buy them from any Ford dealer's parts department, but you will pay a lot more than the discount price from etrailer.com.

The actual 25k 5er hitches are identical, whether Ford or Reese. The main difference is the construction of the under-bed rail system. And if your pickup is a shorty, the Reese Elite 18k 5er hitch is also available as a slider. Ford does not sell the 18k slider, so you must buy it aftermarket.

Most hitch installers will remove the bed to install either the Ford or Reese Elite under-bed rails. But I've heard that the Ford parts require the bed to be removed, while the Reese parts can be installed (with a few choice epithets) without removing the bed.

Under-Bed Rail and Installation Kit for Reese Elite Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches Reese Fifth Wheel Installation Kit RP30868

Gordon Dewald · 06-10-2014, 08:41 AM

The factory installed sub structure will likely be better than any aftermarket product because it was designed specifically for the truck and the trucks capacity. And installed during the truck build.

At $370 it seems to be a good deal.

If the truck does not have the Ford option an aftermarket installation by a qualified shop will perform admirably for the life of your truck without worry. IMO

Captainkoop · 06-10-2014, 09:13 AM

Awesome..based on your info the DW and are going to find a truck with the factory installed prep kit option. Thank you.

Koop

SmokeyWren · 06-10-2014, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainkoop

Awesome..based on your info the DW and are going to find a truck with the factory installed prep kit option.

Your best bet is to factory order your new F-250. Then you get exactly what you are willing to pay for, including choice of color and numerous odds and ends, such as the bed steps. If you order now you could be driving the new truck by about 22 July, and almost certainly by the end of July if the creek don't rise.

However, any decent Ford fleet manager can do a "dealer search" looking for your truck in stock or on the way to another dealer. Maybe a dealer not too far down the road already has your truck in stock or scheduled to be delivered soon. But it's doubtful you'll find one with the fifth-wheel/gooseneck prep pkg and the trim and color and other options you want.

I had to order my '99.5 F-250 to get even close to my choices of options. Later I also had to order my 2012 F-150 to get my choices of options. I even had to factory order my 2013 Toyota Venza. Long, long ago, I ordered my new 1965 Corvette Stingray coupe. Last year Darling Daughter wanted an F-150 with the special heavy duty payload pkg, but there were none in captivity, so she found an F-250 on the lot that was close to her desires.

If you order one, your dealer should be willing to sell it to you for invoice price, plus TT&L, minus Ford rebate.

You can "build and price" on Ford.com, get the MSRP price and know what options are available with what, then check on Edmunds.com or KBB.com to get the invoice price of the truck with those exact options.

If you hate haggling over price, you can get a Ford X-Plan Pin from any FoMoCo employee (not a dealership employee). Do a search on X-Plan to learn more.

But if you must be driving the new truck by July 4th, then it's too late to order one.