Compatibility of Older Bed Rails and Husky Gooseneck Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails
Updated 03/04/2015 | Published 03/03/2015
Question:
I have older rails in my 1995 Ford to fit a RBW Little Rocker. There are no center holes in the rails to put the carriage bolts and spacers into. Will I have to drill holes in my rails just to add the spacers? Also, the spacers added in a video on this site put the spacers under the flat part of the rail that sits on the bed. While the Husky instructions put the bolt through the raised part of the rail. Where is the proper placement?
asked by: Billie L
Expert Reply:
The Husky Gooseneck Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails, part # HT31368, which you reference, is compatible with industry-standard fifth wheel bed rails and will slide into the narrowest slots, 10 inches apart on center, (see image) so your older set of above-bed rails would need to have rails with these dimensions.
We don't recommend drilling holes/modifying old rails because it could possibly weaken them. Nor do we recommend mixing one manufacturer's rails with another's installation brackets.
Your best option would be to go with new rails and brackets. If you let me know the year, make and model of your vehicle I would be happy to make a recommendation for you. Normally spacers go in the flat areas of your truck bed. I have included a video which shows the installation of rails, spacers and carriage bolts on a similar gooseneck hitch for fifth wheel rails for you to check out.
