5th Wheel Base Rail Options for 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD Series 6-1/2 Foot Bed

Updated 05/18/2016 | Published 05/14/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Spyder Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails, 25,000 lbs GTW

(522)

$291.59

Pollak 5th Wheel / Gooseneck T-Connector with 7-Pole - Ford, GM, Dodge, Nissan w/ Factory Plug

(667)

$78.24

Question:

I have a pull rite gooseneck hitch that was given to me but no rails. The goose neck hitch had tubes for the pins to go thru instead of tabs that down into the rails, can I still use the gooseneck hitch with your universal tails

asked by: Joel G

Expert Reply:

Universal 5th wheel base rail kits like the Reese # RP30035 will accept any industry-standard type 5th wheel hitches or hitch adapters that are designed for ISRs (industry standard rails). Such rails will also accept hitch adapters like the Curt Spyder # 16085 which converts 5th wheel rails to a gooseneck towing setup.

We do not carry Pull-Rite products but I am aware that they once made a gooseneck adapter similar to the Curt that allowed a truck with 5th wheel rails to tow a gooseneck trailer. If you have an adapter designed to fit into 5th wheel ISRs, then the Reese kit # RP30035 is one option for base rails.

Another option is a custom-fit base rail kit that will require less drilling and less overall installation time. Reese custom install kit # RP50064-58 costs more than the universal kit but it will save you several hours of installation time and also does not require you to drill holes in the truck frame; it uses holes already there from the factory. Instructions and videos for both kits are linked.

If you need a wiring harness for the truck bed you can use part # PK11893-11932 which plugs right in at your existing bumper-mounted 7-way.

Do note that short bed trucks like yours have reduced turning clearance compared to long beds so be aware of the recommended minimum truck-to-trailer clearances shown on the linked diagram.

expert reply by: Adam R