How to Determine if a Truck has Industry Standard Above the Bed 5th Wheel Rails

Published 02/25/2015

Question:

I just bought a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500. The previous owner had a fifth wheel. He kept the hitch but the rails are still installed in the bed. Do ALL mounting rails have a standard distance they are mounted in the bed? Can I just buy a hitch without buying the mounting rails?

asked by: Steve

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 has standard above the bed rails for a 5th wheel hitch. Take a look at the picture I have included which shows the hitch mounting measurements for industry standard above the bed rails. If the ones in your truck bed are the same then you can install any hitch that fits in industry standard rails.

Since the truck was previously owned you might just want to have a mechanic check to make sure all of rail and brackets under the bed the rails are attached to are in good shape prior to towing anything. This is just because the condition of the kit is unknown to you.

We have many hitches that you could use in industry standard above the bed rails. For long bed trucks you would use a fixed hitch. And for a short bed you would need to use a slider hitch. I have included 2 separate links; one goes to the fixed option and the other goes to the slider options. But be careful because some of the hitches in the lists only fit in below the bed puck systems or OEM 5th prep packages.

expert reply by: Michael H