Base Rail Measurements for a 5th Wheel Hitch on a 2012 Ford F-150 With a Short Bed  

Question:

Expert Reply:

I have a couple of different options for you to use a 5th wheel hitch in your 2012 Ford F-150 with a 5-1/2 foot bed.

If you were wanting to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch then the only option that we currently offer for your F-150 is the Demco Hijacker # DM8550041 which is an Autosliding 5th Wheel Hitch that will give you 22-1/2 inches of additional turning clearance. This 5th wheel hitch will install in the Underbed Rail and Installation Kit # DM8551001 which will install 34-1/2 inches from the end of the bottom of your truck bed. From there you will follow the instructions to see exactly where the holes will be. This setup is great for the autosliding feature and the underbed rails that provide a clear bed when the Hijacker is not installed.

Another option would be for you to use a fixed 5th Wheel Hitch like the Reese 20K # RP30928 with a Sidewinder. For this setup you would use the Reese Quick-Install Custom Base Rails and Installation Kit # RP50081-58. This base rail kit uses a little bit of a different way to measure where the rails will be. The rear-facing edge of the forward-most rail (the one nearest to the cab) is 50-15/16 inches from the rear end of your truck bed. Since this is a custom fit, it will install in pre-existing holes on the frame of your F-150. The Custom Wedge # RP44FR is also recommended for the best fit of the Reese with a Sidewinder.

Since turning clearance will be an issue for a fixed 5th wheel hitch in your 5-1/2 foot bed, you will want to use a Sidewinder, like part # RP61422, which will provide you with an additional 22 inches of turning clearance since it moves the pivot point to the rotating turret. Keep in mind that you will need to find a Sidewinder that will directly replace your OEM pin box. The # RP61422 is a direct replacement of the Lippert 1621 pin box.

If there was a specific base rail kit that you were looking at just let me know and I can find out the base rail locations for you.

I have provided a few links to some demonstration videos for you as well.

expert reply by: Jon G

0