Recommended Cost Effective 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Hitch Setup for a 2003 Ford F-250 Short Bed

Published 02/07/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Square Tube Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs

(396)

$790.20

Curt Above-Bed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails - 3" Offset - 25,000 lbs

(502)

$193.86

Mighty Cord 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Connector - 7' Long

(95)

$72.29

Curt Safety-Chain Loops for Gooseneck Hitches on 5th Wheel Rails - 20,000 lbs

(28)

$137.27

Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Ford F250 and F350 - Carbide Finish

(84)

$283.68

Question:

Hi Team, Working with a 2003 Ford F-250 4x4 ext cab short bed diesel. I use the truck for a small hauling business and want to be able to transport fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers when the chance presents itself. Below is what Ive come up with. Im stuck whether I should get the fifth wheel kit or each piece by itself. I like this for the dual jaw being a better unit. https://www.etrailer.com/multi-product.aspx?pc1=RP30051andpc2=RP30035andVehicleID=20035007561andHHYear=2003andHHMake=FordandHHModel=F-250+Super+Duty Or this one. https://www.etrailer.com/multi-product.aspx?pc1=16516andpc2=C16443-204andVehicleID=20035007549andHHYear=2003andHHMake=FordandHHModel=F-250+Super+Duty Or should I go individually: https://www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Wheel-Hitch/CURT/16516.html https://www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Wheel-Installation-Kit/Ford/F-250+Super+Duty/2003/C16443-204.html?vehicleid=2003200320035007550 Adapter plate for gooseneck. https://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-and-Fifth-Wheel-Adapters/CURT/16055.html Safety chains: https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Reese/RP50223.html Wiring harness: https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Ford/F-250+Super+Duty/2003/C56000.html?vehicleid=20035007549 Free up some bed space: https://www.etrailer.com/Spare-Tire-Carrier/Buyers-Products/3375201012.html Thank you for your time. Looking to purchase within the next month. -Keith

asked by: Keith C

Helpful Expert Reply:

If you're looking for a budget fifth wheel and gooseneck hitch setup for a 2003 Ford F-250 I recommend the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # RP30051 which is one of the most effective dual jaw hitches. The dual jaws will provide a much smoother ride than a slide-bar. In regards to mounting, I'd recommend a custom kit which is going to be much easier to install and would not require drilling into the frame. The Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit part # C16443-204 is a good option for this. Then for a gooseneck adapter plate, the Curt Above-Bed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails part # 16055 would work great. The Curt Safety-Chain Loops for Gooseneck Hitches on 5th Wheel Rails part # C16000 or similar would be required by law when using the gooseneck adapter plate.

Finally, a wiring harness like the Mighty Cord 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Wiring Harness part # A10-7007 would allow you to attach the wiring without having to route the cable over the tailgate.

expert reply by: Conner L