Brand New Truck, any regrets going with rails?

Previous truck has rails. They where a pain when loading some things. New truck which is a Ram I had the Reese undermount rails installed and bought a B & W 3300 20,000lbs.5,000. Great combo and no issues as I have had material on skids loaded.

Previous truck had bed rails. I use my truck a lot for hauling. Dirt, gravel got caught under the rails and hard to get out. When loading big stuff in like appliances, seemed to always to be in the way. When we got the truck camper, had to build a frame and platform to evenly support the TC.
I’m really glad the previous owner of my current truck had the B&W turnover installed. Got the flat bed back and love it.
Jim

My truck was used when purchased, was given a good Husky slider when we purchased the 5er year ago. I've got the rails and use the bed mostly for the 5er. With our property I will haul mulch, rock, lumber etc. I made from 2x2 and OSB a cover to put over the rails, mostly to keep mulch and gravel from being a pain to clean out from inside the rails. It works well and was cost effective.

Put rails in my 2011 when it was new - went with a Reese Custom rail kit. Heavy duty brackets bolts to the frame - no drill except in the box. I have a bed rug so it covers up most of the rails. Pull the hitch out in the winter when I am not using it.

In my last truck I had the shop install the rails and bed rug and they cut out the area where the rails were and it billowed up when towing - so if anyone uses a bed rug - only cut out what is needed to put the hitch in the rails.

Well I ordered the Ford Factory unit BC3Z-5F057-A from Tousley about 420.00 and now have to decide which Hitch or adapter to buy. Topside rails are going to get returned unless someone wants them for a good deal. After having a set of rails in my other F250 for 7 yrs I was close to installing these new ones today but opted not to. It would have been a very cheap choice lol!

Waiting on my Firestone Ride-Rite air bags to come in and also plan on doing a spray in bed liner and will replace the hooker pole for the blank plate.

Thanks again!

pbar34 wrote:
If you use your truck a lot for hauling, you'll love the underbed mount. I've had both and will never have the topside rails again. Sliding heavy/big items in and out of your truck is much easier without those rails in the way.


Phil

X2, I went with the under bed mount for my Reese slider too.

It depends on what you use your truck for. Mine is used primarily for one purpose; to haul the fiver. Therefore, the bed rails do the job. The money I didn't spend on the under-bed mount went into my Hensley BD3 air hitch, which helps to cushion the ride on our terrible roads. However that's another subject.

Mike

no and I ain't looking back. satisfied here

I've had both set ups, really like the new Ford/Reese setup.

OP thanks for starting this thread as I am debating this very issue myself. I don't haul a gooseneck around but it would be so nice not to have the rails on top of the bed. Plus, as a DIY guy it seems that the gooseneck is easier to install at home.

Thanks!

Jeremiah