Frame Brackets for Moving Reese Fifth Wheel Hitch from 2008 Ford F450 to 2012 F350 Short Bed

Updated 05/22/2014 | Published 05/21/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Reese Universal Mounting Brackets for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 10 Bolt

(44)

$47.75

Reese Universal Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches (No Base Rails) - 10 Bolt

(50)

$116.94

Question:

I have a Reese 5th wheel hitch that was installed on 2008 F450, I cant remember the size, but guessing either 18K or 20K due to the camper I had at the time was 18K GVW. Any way, I traded the truck and now have a 2012 F350. I took the rails out before I traded it, but didnt take off the brackets for mounting. What brackets should I buy?

asked by: Todd L

Helpful Expert Reply:

To install a fifth wheel hitch in your 2012 F350, you can choose a custom or a universal install kit.

The universal install kit takes about 6 hours to install, and would require drilling into the truck frame. Since you already have the bed rails, you'd need the frame brackets less the bed rails, part # RP30439. The custom install kit would take half the install time, and would not require any drilling into the frame.

Since your truck is a short bed model, you'll need to be concerned about the clearance between the rear of the truck cab and the front of the trailer loft colliding during turns. Using a sliding hitch or a Sidewinder is recommended. The Sidewinder is a replacement pin box that relocates the pivot point 22 inches rearward, allowing more clearance between the cab and the fifth wheel. For more information about the Reese Sidewinder, take a look at the help article I've linked.

expert reply by: Mike L