Mounting Hardware Needed to Install Existing Rails for Reese 16k 5th Wheel in a 2005 Ford F-150

Question:

I had a REESE 5th Wheel hitch installed in my 1999 ford f 150 pick up in 2002 and used it as my tow vechicle. I have up graded my tow vehicle to a 2005 F 150 w/6.5 bed. What I am looking for is the hardware installation kit with mounting instructions, bolts and frame brackets for the above said vechicle but I do not need the bed rails as mentioned in the 30080 kit.

asked by: David C

Expert Reply:

The Installation Bracket Kit for Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitches for 2004-09 Ford F-150, item # RP58426, is the kit you will need to install your existing rails in the bed of your 2005 ford F-150 pickup. I have included instructions for you to review below.

Keep in mind that if you are going from an 8 foot bed to a 6-1/2 foot bed pickup you may need to use a slider hitch to have clearance for maneuvering with the fifth-wheel trailer attached. You can measure from the center of the fifth wheel hitch to the cab of the truck and the width of your trailer to determine if you will have clearance with your existing hitch. Divide the width of the trailer in half and if that measurement is 4 inches, or more, less than the distance to the cab of the truck you will have enough clearance.

If not, a slider hitch will be required. A round tube slider like the 20K Reese Fifth Wheel Hitch with Round Tube Slider, item # RP30083, will add 12 inches when moved to the rear of the truck and a square tube slider like the 20K Reese Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch with Slider, item # RP30084, will add 10 inches of clearance.

expert reply by: Bob G

Question:

Bob thanks for the reply . I have an additional question do i need the slider type hitch. my old vehicle was 1999 f 150 extended cab with 6foot bed. new vehicle is 2005 f 150 extended cab or they call it a super cab with a 6 foot bed. are we correct in saying we just need the hardware installation kit as previously mentioned. thanks

asked by: David C

Expert Reply:

A slider hitch or Sidewinder, which is specific to the pin box on your trailer, is recommended when towing a fifth-wheel trailer with a short bed pickup. The reason is that with beds less than 8 feet long there are usually clearance issues between the trailer loft and the cab of the pickup.

A slider hitch is not required if you have clearance to make 90 degree turns and for the pitch and roll of the trailer while maneuvering. As stated before you will need to measure to determine if there will be clearance with your trailer connected to the new truck. If you measure from a point in the center of the bed of the pickup side to side and 1-1/2 inches in front of the center line of the rear axle on your new 2005 F-150 to the back of the cab and then measure the width of the trailer you can determine the clearance you will have with a standard hitch.

The math goes like this. Lets say that your measurement from the center of the king pin hookup to the cab is 34 inches (guess) and that your trailer is 102 inches wide. Divide 102 by 2 which is 51 inches. Subtract 51 inches from 34 inches and you have negative clearance, for making sharp turns, of 17 inches. In this case you would need at least 21 inches of extension to have clearance for making 90 degree turns. A slider hitch would even be too short for this application and a Sidewinder with 22 inches of clearance would be needed. Four inches of clearance is needed to account for pitch and roll of the trailer.

If your existing pin box is extended in front of the trailer you can add the amount of extension to the measurement from the center of the king pin to the cab of the pickup.

If your Reese fifth-wheel hitch is of recent construction you would most likely be able to purchase a slider unit to install your existing head on, if a slider will provide clearance on your truck.

I have posted links to the above mentioned items and to an article on how to measure for clearance that has information on the Sidewinder pin box replacement for you.

expert reply by: Bob G