Community Forums

bigmichael · 09-04-2013, 06:03 AM

I have a question hopefully someone can help with. I haven't made it to a dealership yet that has this on the lot to look at.

I am wondering about the 5th wheel/gooseneck prep pkg available from the factory on the new Ford pickups. This does not include the hitch itself which is also available, but just the rails etc as I understand it.

I already have a 20000# Reese hitch (older but still works fine). If I buy a new truck and get the prep pkg, will my current hitch simply be able to be moved over into the new truck? I'm also curious about where they are putting the electrical hookup in this set up? Is it in the front of the bed, or along the side of the bed in the rear?

If I could get a look at one of these-I could have the answer, but in the meantime I'm hoping someone might already know the answer. Thanks in advance.

tuffr2 · 09-04-2013, 08:42 AM

The Ford 5th wheel and goose neck prep package has the rails under the bed with plastic plugs to insert where the hitch gies when not using the hitch.

Correct the hitch or gooseneck is extra. For 5th wheel hitch Ford uses the Reese Elite. It has a 4 point connection pattern the when set twists and locks into place.

The electric hook-up is along the left rear side on the inside wall of the bed. If you get this option you can not have the bed extender as it would also fit along the back wall of the bed. There is also a 7 pin connection by the bumper.

The dealer sold me the 25k Reese Elite hitch at a discount because I worked it into the deal with my F-450.

If you can find a Ford with this option you can measure the connection points. I am lucky to be in Columbus Ohio where they hold the Quarter Horse Congress. All dealers around here really stock up on Ford trucks with this option. I counted over 75 Ford trucks to choose from before I quit counting.

If you are anywhere close to Columbus Ohio the QH Congress runs for 3 weeks in October. It will be worth while going to it just to look at trucks.

Fyi - Ram is another truck that as an option has a factory hitch installed. I have not seen the Ram set-up.

Good luck

SmokeyWren · 09-04-2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmichael

I already have a 20000# Reese hitch (older but still works fine). If I buy a new truck and get the prep pkg, will my current hitch simply be able to be moved over into the new truck?

Probably not, unless your old hitch is a Reese Signature Series. Reese makes a conversion kit that allows the Signature Series to be plugged into the Elite Series holes in the bed. But the normal Reese 20k hitch that fits into slots in the in-the-bed rails won't fit into the Elite Series holes in the bed.

Your choice depends on how bad you hate the in-the-bed rails in your bed. If you hate them bad enough, then pay the big bucks for the prep kit plus the Reese Elite-Series 5er hitch. You'll probably love it. It's available in 25k, 18k for long beds, as well as 18k slider for those that have a shorty bed. If you order both the prep kit and the 25k hitch with a factory order of your new Ford, you can get them for invoice cost instead of the very high retail cost.

But if you don't mind the in-the-bed rails of the normal Reese 20k hitch, then order the installation kit for your old hitch and save a bunch of moola. Here's one source for the standard installation kit:
Trailer hitch, hitches and bike rack (800)298-8924

That "universal install" kit requires drilling into the frame of the truck. No fun. But Reese (and Curt) also makes a more expensive "custom install" kit that bolts into existing holes in the frame. Here's the Curt:
Curt Custom 5th Wheel Installation Kit for Ford - Gloss Finish Curt Fifth Wheel Installation Kit C16424-104

Roam America · 09-04-2013, 05:02 PM

The Ford hitch is the Reese Elite hitch. The hitch plate is under the bed with holes cut thru the bed for the 5th wheel hitch to connect to the plate and a hole for the gooseneck adapter. If your hitch is a Reese hitch that uses the mounting rails will not work with this system.

Also know that even if you buy the hitch from Ford, you MUST also buy the Hitch Prep Package. The prep package gives you the mounting plate, the holes in the bed and the 7 pin plug in the bed. The hitch gets you the actual hitch.

The way the dealer explained it to me is that the F-350 comes with the 18K hitch as the GCWR is lower than the F-450. The F-450 comes with the 25K hitch, but you can purchase the 18K hitch if you want it.

bigmichael · 09-04-2013, 07:13 PM

Thanks a lot for the quick responses. You folks helped a lot-both answering my specific questions and helping me understand my options.

pjones1969 · 09-04-2013, 07:30 PM

B&W also has an option for the Ford factory prep option

http://www.turnoverball.com/products...th-wheel-hitch

D&J · 09-04-2013, 08:57 PM

Also if you find a truck with the prep package and you want to install your old hitch the Ford under bed package may be in the way. When I ordered our new truck I reused our Reese 20K hitch, it was way to expensive for the prep and hitch, I also looked at the B&W and would have gone that way if I ordered the hitch prep. I never remove my hitch so the rails aren't a problem.

Denny

captainchuck · 09-05-2013, 05:27 AM

We have the 5W and are looking for the right truck. The Quarter Horse Congress you mentioned could be of interest. Where can I find out more information about this event? Our 5W will total roughly 16,000 loaded with a hitch weight estimated around 2,800. All options are open but it will be diesel and 4X4.
Captainchuck

SmokeyWren · 09-05-2013, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainchuck

The Quarter Horse Congress you mentioned could be of interest. Where can I find out more information about this event?

Bing to the rescue:
All American Quarter Horse Congress = http://www.oqha.com/aaqhc

tuffr2 · 09-05-2013, 03:41 PM

Forgot to mention - during the Quarter Horse Congess there will be Ford, Ram and Chevy heavy duty trucks. There will also be sport chassis trucks with freightliner M2 chassis. Too bad for me these trucks cost too much. 90k to 120k new.

I case you do not know the new Ram 3500 has a stiffer chassis with more high strength steel. It can be configured to tow 30,000 lbs.

Also there will be a lot of Ford trucks with and maybe Ram trucks with the factory installed Gooseneck/5th wheel package.

There will be stock trucks as well as trucks that have been 'cowboy modified' with fancy running boards, bed rails, maybe special interiors, and hauler beds.

It is just a good place to see a lot of different trucks.