5th wheel hitch question

[SittingDuck]

I just bought a 1989 5th wheel and it came with a hitch and the bed rails. The setup came off a short bed dodge ram and the seller said it should work for my 2002 silverado 2500hd. My question is what are the measurements on where I should put these rails? These are older rails I think since they go the length of the bed and the hitch slides in on the rails. All the new ones I see go side to side and the hitch looks to lock on the top.

The trailer is only 26ft and weighs about 7k gvw. My truck is a 2 wheel drive crew with 8ft bed. Any advice would be great.

Thanks in advance!

[SittingDuck]

Ok, so I found how to measure the bed. 53 1/2 inches from the cab is where the hitch should be centered. It should result in it being just forward of the axle a little.

So my next next question is on the setup. The rails run the length of the bed not across and bolt into the bed. Under the bed there are thick square washers to secure it. He did not have any connection bracket to the frame and said that's the way the rv dealership did it 3 years ago. My question is, is that throng enough for the hitch? He has towed it without issues and was installed by supposed experts so I'm guessing it's ok. Tho where safety is concerned I don't like assuming. Any advice or opinions?

[ToyHauler]

never installed a fifth but if you have the manufacturer and model lookup there website, alot of them have installation instructions available for printout.

[joelvv]

Put it a couple inches ahead of the centre of the axle and you should be fine. I would want it attached to the frame. I've heard of boxes being twisted to hell from doing **** like that. I wouldn't trust the box to hold it if yu ever got in a crash.

[TiredFarmer]

Never done it, but I would think you would want it fastened through bed to frame in several places. More bolts=less strain on each one. Remember, this is what will keep your tailer connected to your truck...
I agree with ToyHauler, check MFR, also visit with local RV dealerships, many will do installs or tell you where..

[SittingDuck]

Thanks for the advice and ya I agree the bed only install just scared me. The previous owner was insane to do it and lucky he got away with only having this on the bed frame. I just spoke with etrailer.com too (great place) and they are sending me brackets to include on the install. Even tho I didnt buy the equipment from them they were still very helpfull.

I spoke with two rv shops and they want between 400 and 500 for the install. I just think thats a little high to install a hitch so I am going to measure it out and attempt it myself. Tho after doing it this week I might have a different opinion on if thats a high price. :)

thanks again for the advice.

[Nasty-Z]

Sounds like an old RBW hitch if the rails run lengthwise in the bed . It probably has 4 "pins" that you pull up to slide the hitch out of the bed .

Here : http://www.rbwindustries.com/product...5%20Manual.pdf Is the manual for it .

You want to mount any 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch to the frame , mounting to the bed itself is just dangerous .

Stop by a local RV shop , they should have some angle brackets that you need , or if you are handy you could fab up something yourself.

2" +/- ahead of the axle is where you ultimately want the kingpin to be .

HTH

TOM

[SittingDuck]

COOL!!! thanks for that pdf. That is my hitch and that pdf will be very handy for the installation and general use / upkeep.

thanks!!

[Nasty-Z]

COOL!!! thanks for that pdf. That is my hitch and that pdf will be very handy for the installation and general use / upkeep.

thanks!!

No problem , good luck with your new trailer.

TOM

[Jmac72]

Those big square washers go between the bed and frame.Other wise you will mash the bed down to the frame.Most guys around here just put in a goose neck ball.that way you still have full use of the bed.The adapter to hook your trailer is like $175(JMHO)

[SittingDuck]

Well the 5th wheel hitch is installed and it was a pain in the butt. About 3 hours labor and 3 hours driving around to the local steel company, home depote and the rv shop for parts. All in all a easy to moderate job and well worth doing it myself to save the install cost of 440 to 500 at a dealer.

Now to pickup my trailer tomorrow and begin the work on that.

Thanks for the advice!

[niceguyeddie]

never installed a fifth but if you have the manufacturer and model lookup there website, alot of them have installation instructions available for printout.

x2

[Tom&Jerry]

I tow my boat using my Fifth Wheel Hitch most of the time, I always make sure that my Fifth Wheel Hitch and the pin box is the same level as whatever I am towing. I think it is reccomended to give 6 inches gap between the top of the pick-up walls and the underside of the front of the trailer to prevent pitch and roll of the trailer and I don't have any backing problems at all. I tried to find photos of the hitch I am using but I can't so can check it out on hitchanything.com called Reese 30k low profile 5th Wheel Hitch 30054, my pals reccomended this and it seems to work for me for my heavier loads.