5th Wheel Base Rail Installation Kits for 1985 Chevrolet C/K Series Pickup

Updated 08/28/2017 | Published 08/26/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Semi-Custom Install Kit for 5th Wheel Hitches

$306.89

Question:

Hello there I had this fifth wheel hitch given to me and I want to mount it into my 85 Chevy 4 by 4 pickup truck but I dont know how it the rails go over the wheel wells the things about 4 feet 6 inches WYD I dont have my actual frame to bolt into how can I make or can I get an extension or something to get it to work just lost sorry

asked by: Jason

Expert Reply:

We can help you with a 5th wheel hitch base rail installation kit that will allow an industry-standard 5th wheel hitch to be installed in your 1985 Chevrolet C/K Series Pickup. All of these various universal- and custom-fit install kits do require attaching base rails to frame brackets for stability. A 5th wheel must be secured to the truck frame, not just to the bed. Short beds need a slider hitch for turning clearance; long bed can use a fixed hitch.

The linked page displays hitches and install kits. Universal-fit base rail kits like # RP30035 cost less but take longer to install; more drilling is required. Semi-custom kit # DM8552014-71 will take a bit less time to install.

A helpful article on hitch installation is included for you.
The base rails kits install in your bed so that the center of the hitch (where the king pin fits) will be over or just forward of your rear axle. The kits' instructions show you where to position the rails.
For a wiring harness for the truck bed you can use # 20023

expert reply by: Adam R