What is Weight Rating of Fifth Wheel Rails

Published 02/06/2018

Question:

Hey E-Trailer, What is the free span weight rating of 5th wheel rails? Do the rails require a bed to rest on for their strength or is there strength generated from the rail itself? For instance can you mount up a 5th wheel rail kit with brackets to a bare truck frame and retain its load strength? My truck has a light weight flatbed on it that I was going to take off and mount up a 5th wheel rail kit and then fit the flatbed overtop of the rail kit and cut out a hatch in the flatbed to access the rails and install a hitch. Just want to know if the rails are strong enough to support a load on their own without resting on top of a bed. Thank you,

asked by: Kyle H

Expert Reply:

Fifth wheel rails have basically have the same weight rating as the fifth wheel hitch that is installed in them. They are supported by the frame of the truck more than anything. The bed of the truck helps, but truck beds are typically a very thin metal compared to the strength of a truck frame.

expert reply by: Jameson C