Brand New Truck, any regrets going with rails?

larry barnhart wrote:

DazedNConfused wrote:
Here is my setup with the Ford under bed mount and a Trailer Saver BD3 with Hensley's adapter that goes between the two. The adapter essentially gives you a set of standard rails on top to mount any hitch -- but is removable with the hitch. I leave my hitch attached to the adapter and pull the entire thing out of the bed with an engine hoist and put in some small scraps of BedRug material in the rectangular holes that were needed to mount the adapter. When they're in, you can't tell there was ever a hitch in the bed. Just takes a few minutes to pull it out. The bed and hitch are always covered by a tonneau except when I'm towing.

I don't use the pickup bed for much other than pulling the fiver. If I have to haul away yard debris and such, I use a landscaping trailer as it saves the bed and the paint. :) I'm the guy that parks out the extra mile so I can get my nice big end spot and never suffer from door dings. Just the way I roll, but everyone's different and treats their stuff differently.



- DNC

that is the best hitch money can buy.
chevman

x2.

DazedNConfused wrote:
Here is my setup with the Ford under bed mount and a Trailer Saver BD3 with Hensley's adapter that goes between the two. The adapter essentially gives you a set of standard rails on top to mount any hitch -- but is removable with the hitch. I leave my hitch attached to the adapter and pull the entire thing out of the bed with an engine hoist and put in some small scraps of BedRug material in the rectangular holes that were needed to mount the adapter. When they're in, you can't tell there was ever a hitch in the bed. Just takes a few minutes to pull it out. The bed and hitch are always covered by a tonneau except when I'm towing.

I don't use the pickup bed for much other than pulling the fiver. If I have to haul away yard debris and such, I use a landscaping trailer as it saves the bed and the paint. :) I'm the guy that parks out the extra mile so I can get my nice big end spot and never suffer from door dings. Just the way I roll, but everyone's different and treats their stuff differently.



- DNC

that is the best hitch money can buy.
chevman

I always had rails in the bed, but when I ordered my new truck,(sig), I ordered with prep package...Now, when I take my 5er hitch out, I can take the adapter out also and the bed is completely empty, everything is hooked to frame beneath bed, (4 holes with OEM covers when nothing is in the bed...Have to admit, I like it better than having the rails in the truck..

I had rails put in my new '04 truck in '05 and no regrets. I haul sand, mulch, rocks, etc. I even had a Rhino liner put in last year when the bed was rebuilt due to a dead tree falling on it.

pirogue wrote:
DNC,
How much was the Henley adapter? Nice set up btw!

Hmm....that's a good question. I'd have to find my receipt to figure out the breakdown. I know the Hensley adapter is thicker/beefier -- but either that or the Reese would work. Since I was ordering from Hensley...I just ordered their adapter as well. Might have cost a tad more.

Here is a link off the Hensley page to their adapter -- which shows $595. clicky

I paid $2,600 for the hitch and adapter + another $100 to have them both delivered. Since I ordered them back in February -- which is considered off-season -- I got a discount. Call Hensley and chat with Aaron and see if he can offer you a discount. He's a great guy and very quick with answering questions and replying to email.

DNC,
How much was the Henley adapter? Nice set up btw!

Here is my setup with the Ford under bed mount and a Trailer Saver BD3 with Hensley's adapter that goes between the two. The adapter essentially gives you a set of standard rails on top to mount any hitch -- but is removable with the hitch. I leave my hitch attached to the adapter and pull the entire thing out of the bed with an engine hoist and put in some small scraps of BedRug material in the rectangular holes that were needed to mount the adapter. When they're in, you can't tell there was ever a hitch in the bed. Just takes a few minutes to pull it out. The bed and hitch are always covered by a tonneau except when I'm towing.

I don't use the pickup bed for much other than pulling the fiver. If I have to haul away yard debris and such, I use a landscaping trailer as it saves the bed and the paint. :) I'm the guy that parks out the extra mile so I can get my nice big end spot and never suffer from door dings. Just the way I roll, but everyone's different and treats their stuff differently.



- DNC

I made my own frame attachment points with hardened cap nut plates. So I can bolt my bed rails in from the top with a speed handle. Nothing showing but the bolt holes. Hitch is easier to remove as one large unit. Slides right out the back and stands on the bed rails. Just lean it against shop wall.

I have rails. Haven't bothered me yet. Because I'd rather not scratch up the rails when putting stuff in the bed, I got a horse stable rubber mat from Tractor Supply which lays right over the rails when the hitch isn't back there. My biggest pet peeve with a 5th wheel hitch is getting the hitch out.

Just had a new Reese R20 put in my truck. Yes the rails are in the bed. My truck is mostly used for pulling the fifth wheel. When I need to haul something I have a 12' trailer I use for that purpose.