Re-installing 5th Wheel Rails On New Spray In Bed Liner

Updated 07/18/2017 | Published 07/16/2017

Question:

Hello, I recently put a spray-in bedliner in my truck. When I went back to put my fifth wheel hitch rails in, I noticed that because of the bedliner thickness, the carriage bolts no longer thread all the way through the nut. In fact, in one of the mounting brackets, the spacer block no longer fits at all. Is this OK or should I get longer carriage bolts? Thanks

asked by: Nic

Expert Reply:

Adding a spray in bed liner will give you a different thickness, but can also give you uneven thicknesses. The manufacturer will tell you to remove the bed liner where the rails fit to ensure your system will work properly if the spray in liner is too thick in that location. They will also tell you to use new hardware like the Replacement Hardware Kit for Reese 5th Wheel Base Rails - 10 Bolt # RP58504 because the hardware is only intended for one time use and since you've removed it you will need new hardware.

You do not want to remove the hardware, but you could use longer bolts like you stated as long as they are grade 8.

expert reply by: Jason S