How To Install A 5th Wheel Hitch On A F150

fifth Wheel Hitch Installation How-To

fifteen Steps to Install Brackets, Rails and the Hitch

How exercise yous install a fifth bicycle hitch? Installing a 5th wheel hitch involves removing the spare tire, measuring where bolt holes demand to exist drilled, drilling into the truck bed, assembling the 5th wheel hitch, measuring the trailer peak, installing bolts and torqueing hardware.

In the following guide, we will go pace-by-step through the process of 5th wheel hitch installation. Remember to follow the specific instructions for assembly when mounting your own 5th bike hitch.

Remove the spare tire
Position the front base of operations rail
Marking the first drill location and drill a pilot hole
Bank check the airplane pilot hole under the truck bed and drill the remaining holes
Enlarge the commodities holes
Bolt in the under-bed brackets
Bolt downward the front end fifth cycle rail
Measure the 5th wheel hitch peak
Attach the fifth bike legs
Position the rear 5th bicycle rail
Drill holes for the rear base rail
Commodities down the rear base runway
Install whatever remaining bolts
Torque all hardware
Secure the 5th wheel hitch

How to install 5th bicycle rail video

How to install a fifth bike hitch video

Stride by Step 5th Wheel Installation

Step i: Remove the spare tire

Installing a 5th wheel with brackets and base rails requires access to the underbelly of your truck bed. Remove the spare tire to requite yourself more than space.

You may likewise need to remove a heat shield or other components throughout the procedure. Be sure to follow the instructions accompanying your specific hitch.

Step two: Position the front base of operations rail

Identify the base of operations rails that volition be closest to the truck cab into position, measuring the correct altitude from the front of the truck bed. This distance can vary between long-bed and short-bed pickup trucks. Refer to the instructions for verbal measurements.

You lot will also need to heart the base runway between the wheel wells.

Step 3: Mark the beginning drill locations

With the base rail correctly positioned, mark the commodities pigsty locations for the rail, using a paint pen.

Then, employ a center dial to mark just i of the drill locations. The other bolt locations will be marked in a later stride. The center-dial will pinpoint exactly where to drill and will help keep the drill bit from wandering. Finally, drill a pilot hole down through the marked location.

Stride 4: Check the pilot hole under the bed

Temporarily position the appropriate under-bed 5th wheel bracket, corresponding to the pilot hole location yous merely drilled.

If the bracket lines up correctly with the hole, the remaining bolt holes can exist drilled. Mark them with a paint pen, move the base of operations rail out of the way, eye-punch the drill locations and drill downward from above the truck bed.

Step 5: Enlarge the commodities holes

Using a step bit, drill out the airplane pilot holes until they are big enough to have the bolts of the 5th bicycle rail. Get slowly and drill carefully.

With the bolts holes drilled to the proper size, nosotros recommend using some touch-up paint to protect any exposed metallic edges. This volition assist prevent corrosion. Deburr the drilled holes, and then apply the paint.

Stride 6: Bolt in the under-bed brackets

Position the nether-bed brackets on either side of the truck bed. These are typically installed from the wheel well opening.

Identify the appropriate subclass or brackets into position and fasten them to the frame of the truck with the included nuts and bolts. And so, fasten the other bracket on the reverse side of the truck.

Pace 7: Bolt down the 5th wheel rail

Reposition the base runway again in the truck bed over the appropriate bolt hole locations. If the truck has bed runway in the bottom of the truck bed, spacers may be included. These demand to be positioned under the 5th wheel rails, between the truck bed rails, to ensure consequent metal-to-metallic contact.

With the track in position, insert the bolts downwards through the holes and secure them with nuts practical underneath the truck bed.

Step 8: Measure the fifth wheel hitch tiptop

Your 5th wheel hitch will need to be installed at the correct height to accommodate your truck bed. There must be a minimum height difference of 5-1/two" between your truck bed walls and the trailer.

To find the the hitch superlative, make sure your trailer is parked on a level surface. Then, measure from the ground to the underside of the kingpin plate (A). Next, measure from the basis to the top of the open tailgate of your truck (B).

A minus B equals C, the required height for your 5th bike hitch.

Need help selecting a 5th wheel hitch?

Step 9: Attach the 5th bicycle legs

With the hitch elevation measured, find the correct mounting holes on your 5th wheel hitch head to accommodate the necessary elevation. Virtually 5th wheel hitches offer a range of vertical aligning. Position the legs onto the head and secure them in place, using the included bolts.

For some fifth wheels, you may demand to remove the head plate to access the leg bolt holes. Information technology may also be helpful to plough the head upside-down to install the legs.

For short-bed trucks, a 5th bicycle slider may be needed. Acquire how to measure your truck bed.

Step 10: Position the rear 5th wheel rail

With the 5th bike hitch assembled, yous can now easily find the position for the second, rearward base rails.

Have a friend assist you lift the 5th cycle hitch into place, installing the legs into the base of operations rail you've already installed. Then, position the second base rail, using the leg anchors on the 5th bicycle hitch as a guide for the correct location.

Pace 11: Drill holes for the rear base rail

Earlier mark the drill locations for the second base of operations rail, brand certain that the rails is centered in the truck bed, between the wheel wells. Then, mark the drill points with a paint pen, motion the rails out of the fashion (and hitch assembly if necessary), center-punch and drill pilot holes.

Next, use a step bit to enlarge the holes to the correct diameter for the base rail bolts. Stop off the bolt holes with touch-upward paint to assist forestall rust.

Step 12: Bolt downward the rear base rail

Reposition the second 5th bike rail and insert the included bolts down through the holes you but drilled in the truck bed. The bolts will laissez passer through the rail, the truck bed and the under-bed brackets already installed.

As with the outset base rail, the nuts to spike the bolts volition demand to be installed from underneath the truck bed. Be sure to install any spacers or additional hardware specified in the instructions.

Stride 13: Install whatever remaining bolts

Some 5th wheel installations crave supplemental bolts to exist installed in both track, providing enhanced security and strength. Mark the drill locations is not necessary. Simply center-punch, using the rail as a guide. So, drill pilot holes and overstate the holes with a step bit.

Finally, insert the necessary bolts and fasten them with nuts underneath the truck bed.

Step 14: Torque all hardware

With the base rails completely installed with all necessary hardware, it is time to fully tighten the bolts. This requires a torque wrench. Torque values vary by commodities size and volition be specified in the installation instructions included with your hitch.

5th bicycle hardware may require torque greater than a typical 100-pes-pound torque wrench can provide. Instead of purchasing a new torque wrench, call your local automotive store and ask it they rent out tools and equipment.

Step 15: Reinstall the 5th cycle hitch

Elevator the 5th wheel hitch assembly back into place, dropping it into the fully installed base of operations rails. If you haven't torqued the hardware on the hitch yet, do then at this time. Likewise, make sure that all necessary pins and other components are installed before hitching up to tow.

FAQs

How much does it toll to install a 5th bicycle hitch?

A professional 5th wheel hitch installation can cost anywhere from $70 to $225, depending on the hourly labor rate and the components beingness installed on your truck. If custom brackets and a basic 5th wheel hitch are being installed, costs volition tend to exist lower. If drilling is required and more complex fifth cycle components are needed, the cost may get upwards. Too notation that a dealership may accuse more than than an independent shop.

To determine if a professional person 5th wheel install is within your budget, call a local installer and enquire for a quote.

Can I install a fifth bicycle hitch?

Yeah, most fifth wheel hitches can be installed without professional person help as long every bit you take the tools for the job. Typical tools required include a ratchet, socket set, crescent wrench, drill with drill $.25 and a torque wrench.

Before deciding to install the fifth cycle hitch by yourself, read through the instructions specific to your brackets, rails and hitch model.

How long does information technology have to install a fifth bicycle hitch?

Installing a fifth wheel hitch can accept anywhere from i 60 minutes to 2.5 hours, depending on your level of expertise. Installing the custom brackets typically takes anywhere from xl to xc minutes. Assembling the 5th bike hitch commonly only takes 15 to xxx minutes. If your truck requires a roller or slider, an extra 20 to 40 minutes may exist required.

If y'all are installing a set of puck system legs or an adapter, installation can be completed in merely a few minutes if the hitch is already assembled.

Custom brackets (no drilling) – forty to 80 minutes
Semi-custom brackets (drilling may exist required) - ninety minutes
Fifth wheel hitch associates – 15 to thirty minutes
Roller / slider assembly – xx to xl minutes

Where practise you put a fifth wheel hitch?

A fifth cycle hitch is designed to install in a truck bed, centered between the wheel wells and mounted directly in a higher place or slightly in front of the rear axle. For exact positioning, the installation instructions will provide measurements and references to walk you through the process.

When non towing a trailer, a 5th wheel hitch tin can exist disassembled and removed from the truck bed base of operations rails to be stored in your garage, shop or shed.

Back to Custom Under-Bed 5th Wheel Brackets

Source: https://www.curtmfg.com/5th-wheel/brackets/learn-more

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