Location of 5th Wheel Hitch Rails on a 2001 Ford F-250 Long Bed Diesel Extended Cab

Published 05/24/2016

Products Featured in This Question

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

(349)

$227.45

Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(146)

$370.74

Question:

just bought this used truck with a hitch already mounted. It is a reese rated at 16,000 lbs. my truck is a 2001 f-250 long bed diesel with an extended cab, NOT crew cab. my son who works for a towing company thinks my hitch is mounted to far up towards the cab and my hitch is NOT a slider. where should it be mounted....please

asked by: Andy B

Expert Reply:

Depending on the brackets and rails that were used to install the 5th wheel your rails could be installed in a close range of measurements.

If your hitch was installed with the universal mounting brackets # RP30035 then your rear most rail should be 28-5/16 inches from the rear edge of the bed on your 2001 Ford F-250 Long Bed. I have linked a diagram from the instructions for you to better see. The center of rail to center of rail distance should measure 22 inches.

If your hitch was installed with the custom mounting brackets and 10 bolt rails # RP50082-58 then your rear most rail should be 32-1/4 inches from the rear edge of the bed.

If your hitch was installed with the custom mounting brackets and 4 bolt rails # RP30125 then your rear most rail should be 30-1/4 inches from the rear edge of the bed.

Since you have a long bed and extended cab it may just look very close to the eye, but the rails should be placed on either side of the rear axle, which is going to be where the weight is carried.

expert reply by: Jackie C