How Do I Install Fifth Wheel Rails in The Bed of My Pickup

Updated 03/30/2021 | Published 08/17/2009

Products Featured in This Question

Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(464)

$1029.86

Reese Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 10 Bolt

(348)

$190.69

Question:

i need to know how wide the brackets are at the bottom on the fifth wheel and how far apart the rails have to be mounted on the truck.

asked by: jimmy h

Expert Reply:

The rails in the bed of your pickup are installed so that the king pin will be just forward of the rear axle when hitched. The mounting location is vehicle specific and if you would like to provide your trucks year, make, model bed length and cab style I would be glad to get instructions to you and make a recommendation for an installation kit for your truck.

When mounting a fifth wheel hitch the first measurement you use is the distance from the farthest back part of the bed, tailgate removed, to the specific measurement for your truck and bed length (can be found in fifth wheel rails installation instruction manual) to the rear edge of the rear rail. You then use the fifth wheel hitch as a guide to position the front rail and a tape measure to measure diagonally and square things up. I have provided a set of instructions for the Reese Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit, item # RP30035, for you to review.

The Rails themselves are 43 inches long and 5-1/2 inches wide. The rails will be mounted somewhere between 20-1/2 inches and 22 inches apart in the bed depending on your hitch choice and your vehicle. The Legs on the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - 20,000 lbs, item # RP30928, are 20-15/16 inches on center apart.

expert reply by: Robert G

Paul R.

3/27/2013

mounting location for 2013 Toyota tundra double cab 6.5 bedthanks

Patrick B.

4/16/2013

Check out part RP30035-309. The instruction links on that page will have the information about installing the rails on the truck.

Belinda A.

3/28/2021

@PatrickB I have a 08 Ford f250 w an 8' foot bed

Kef G.

3/30/2021

@BelindaA For a 5th wheel for your 08 Ford F-250, we have the Reese Universal Base Rails, part # RP30035. For the hitch itself, we have the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, part # RP30047.

Bryan G.

3/20/2020

What are the measurements from the rear of bed for a 2011 Ram 3500 long bed crew cab for a standard rail system? Mounting the rear rail? I bought it used Curt 20k.

Chris R.

3/22/2020

The exact placement will depend somewhat on the rail/bracket kit you're using. If you happen to have the Curt Rail Kit # C16420-204, which is custom designed for your Ram, the rear base rail will be positioned 28-3/8" from the rear of the bed. This measurement is taken from the rear of the bed to the rear of the base rail. If you have a different model kit just let me know.

Helpful Links

Fifth-Wheel-Installation-Kit/Curt/C16420-204.html

Jason K.

5/24/2020

I have only the rails. I have a 2013 ram 3500 cm flat bed. Any ideas on the measurements to mount the rails ?

Chris R.

5/27/2020

A flat bed truck like your Ram will require a custom install. Unfortunately I can't provide rail measurements since not all flat beds are the same. Typically rails aren't used at all for this application and instead a special hitch, such as the Reese Low-Profile # RP30054, is actually welded or bolted directly to the truck's frame.

Paul F.

6/15/2020

where do I install 5th wheel bed rails in a 2017 f250 single cab with 8 ft bed

Chris R.

6/18/2020

For the rail and install kit I recommend the Reese # RP50074-58. On your 2017 F-250 long bed the back of the rear rail will sit 29-1/2" from the back of the bed.

Chris S.

7/5/2020

I have a 2016 silverado 2500 6'7" bed were should the rear rail be mounted

Chris R.

7/9/2020

In the install manual for the Reese Base Rail Kit # RP50066-58, which is designed specifically for your Silverado, it states that the back edge of the rear rail will sit 24-5/8" up from the back of the truck bed.

Kenneth S.

8/1/2020

Have a 2000 F250 6’10 1/2” bed where do I put the brackets at. TIA

Jon G.

8/11/2020

It kind of depends on what base rail kit you have. If you are using the Reese Universal Rail Kit # RP30035 mentioned above then you're going to need to check out the installation instructions on the product page because it's honestly a little hard to describe in words without using all of the descriptions they have on their instructions page. Just be sure that you're looking at the correct year/make/model.