5th Wheel Hitch for Flatbed Diesel Pickup with Wood Deck

Updated 04/28/2015 | Published 04/26/2015

Question:

We dont want to cut our flatbed down to 8. We have wood bed, and want to install a fifth wheel hitch flush mounted as much as possible. What type of equipment do we need to buy to help make this happen? I know that we will need to have serious welding done, but need to know where to start. We have a welded tow hitch on the truck. Can we convert the fifth wheel camper to something that would hook to the tow hitch on back? Thank you!

asked by: Dsmith

Expert Reply:

Reese does offer a specialized 5th wheel hitch, their dual-jaw Low-Profile # RP30054, that can be used in flatbed applications on a wooden deck.

As you noted, you will have to have a qualified welder install a 1/2-inch thick steel plate under the wood deck to serve as an attachment point. You also need to use tubular steel spacers around the mounting hardware to prevent the pressure from that hardware from crushing the wood (as this would cause the hitch to become loose if the wood were to be compressed from its original size).

Naturally you will want to exactly follow the instructions, which are linked for you along with a video.

There are no adapters to allow a 5th wheel trailer to be pulled by a standard hitch.

expert reply by: Adam R