Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch and Installation Kit Recommendations for a 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty

Updated 10/18/2011 | Published 10/17/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Ford - Glossy Finish

(39)

$271.67

Curt Spyder Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails, 25,000 lbs GTW

(505)

$307.94

Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs

(619)

$387.12

Curt Q24 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 24,000 lbs

(485)

$814.31

Question:

New to 5th wheel hitches....I have a 2008 F350 8 foot bed 4x4 powerstroke. Is this the entire kit that I need.....everything to install a hitch??? Is there some kind of adapter for a gooseneck ball if I want to add one later? Thanks

asked by: Jason W

Expert Reply:

There are a couple of components needed to install a 5th wheel trailer hitch in a truck. Starting with the installation kit, there are 2 types. There is a universal kit and there are custom kits. If a truck has a custom kit option available, as your truck does, I always recommend it over the universal installation kit. The reason is that the custom kits come with brackets specifically designed to fit your truck and this translates to less drilling and about half the installation time over a universal kit.

For your 2008 Ford F-350, one of those installation kits is the CURT Kit, # C16448-104, that you have referenced. I have included a link to the installation details for you.

Next, you will of course need the hitch itself. I like to recommend that customers match the install kit manufacturer and the hitch manufacturer for ensured compatibility. But, for example, a Reese hitch that fits in above the bed rails will fit in CURT rails.

To pick the right hitch, you will want to look at the gross trailer weight and the pin weight of the trailer you wan to tow. For many trailers, a 16k hitch, like # C16115, is sufficient. It has a gross trailer weight capacity of 16,000 pounds and a pin weight capacity of 4,000 pounds. I have included a link to the installation instructions for you.

If you find that you need or want to go with a higher capacity hitch, you can move up to a 24k, # C16245, with 24,000 pounds gross trailer weight capacity and 6,000 pound pin weight capacity. Always make sure to stay within the capabilities of the truck though.

The other important item that can get overlooked is in-bed wiring for the 5th wheel trailer. You would need the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Plug, # 50-97-410.

For a gooseneck hitch, you can stay with CURT and use the Spyder Gooseneck Trailer Hitch, # 16085, that will fit in the above the bed rails once you remove the 5th wheel hitch from them. I have included a link to the installation details for this hitch as well.

I have also included a link to an FAQ article on 5th wheels for you.