5th Wheel Trailer Hitch and Install Kit for a 1996 GMC 2500 with 40 by 33-1/2 Mounting Hole Spacing

Question

Question:

My truck has frame mounts welded underneath the bed. The mounts have single holes drilled through the bed, for a total of 4 bolt holes, drilled 40 inches apart width wise and 33.5 inches apart north to south, both sets are equal distance from directly over the axle. What hitch and rail system will fit this bolt pattern 40W by 33.5L? And where can I find it the rails and the hitch?

asked by: Nick R

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Expert Reply:

I am not 100 percent sure what was originally on your 1996 GMC 2500 with that hole spacing. It could have been an old RBW set up or PullRite or something else that is no longer around. Nothing available now will fit that spacing. But that spacing is so long that it might not interfere with modern installation kits.

The best option is to use a universal kit such as # RP30035. It uses L-brackets that take up less space on the frame than custom brackets. You may end up having to move the new brackets a little forward or back on the frame if the ones welded on end up being in the way which is fine as long as the centerline of the hitch is not behind the rear axle.

More than likely only one set of the brackets currently on the truck would be in the way since the standard rail spacing now is about 22 inches on center.

For a hitch I recommend either the Reese 16K fixed hitch # RP30047 for a long bed truck or the slider version # RP30051 for short bed trucks. These hitches have a dual-jaw design for good contact with the king pin. The slider has 10 inches of travel. I have linked some videos for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

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