Rail Installation Dimensions for a 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Kit on a 2001 Ford F-350
Updated 10/05/2011 | Published 10/04/2011
Question:
Could you tell me where the position of the railing is on a 2001 ford f 350 for a fifth wheel
asked by: Gregg
Expert Reply:
When installing a fifth-wheel rail kit on a 2001 Ford F-350 Super Duty, there are different installation dimensions, depending on the manufacturer of the install kit, the type of install kit they produce, and the length of your truck bed.
Reese produces two types of install kit for your 2001 Ford F-350 Super Duty, Universal and Custom install brackets.
The Universal installation kit, # RP30035, calls out 31-1/2 inches on page 11 of the directions, see link, for short or long box, from the rear edge of the truck bed, tailgate removed, to the first edge of the rear most rail.
The Custom installation kit, # RP50082-58, calls out 32-1/4 inches on page 4 of the directions, see link, for short or long bed from the rear edge of the truck bed, tailgate removed, to the first edge of the rear most rail. We have a video of this kit being installed on a 2000 Ford F-350 that should be helpful, see link.
In both cases, once the first rail is correctly positioned, the fifth-wheel hitch should be used to help correctly position and square up the second rail in the bed of the truck. Using the hitch also ensures that once the rails are installed the hitch tabs will easily drop into the mounting slots.
You should always follow the directions included with the rail kit you purchase, just in case there is a change made to the mounting locations for your specific vehicle.
