Forum Discussion

mekkerl's avatar
mekkerl
Explorer
Mar 29, 2016

Hitch Prep??

I am in the market for a used 3500 diesel truck to tow a FW. My search is almost entirely online, as these vehicles in my price range are hard to find locally, therefore I am willing to find one 1,000-miles away.

I would like to know what I should be looking for regarding if the truck is 'prepped' for a fifth-wheel hitch.
I have specifically found a few 2011-2013 Silverado 3500HD Diesels that I like...but by looking at pictures of the bed, they do not have any indication that they are prepped for a hitch mount.
Of course, I really don't want to purchase a truck 1,000 miles away, only to find that major work needs to be done before bolting a fifth-wheel hitch to the bed.

Help!?
Tow Vehicles
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Mar 29, 2016
    You can buy a set of custom fifth wheel rails from etrailer for a couple hundred bucks that will bolt on in an afternoon, so any truck without a factory fifth wheel prep kit can be equipped to haul a fifth wheel pretty easily.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Mar 29, 2016
    Best thing if you are committed to a used GM is the B&W TurnoverBall gooseneck hitch. Then you have a clean bed when hitch is removed. I would highly recommend the 20K companion for a rock solid hitch.

    The 13 and newer RAM trucks have the pucks as a factory option or they can easily be added.
  • mekkerl's avatar
    mekkerl
    Explorer
    Mar 29, 2016
    Thank you for the quick responses!
    I am looking at SRW standard bed (6.5'), so would need a sliding hitch after researching.
    The FW we are looking to get has a GVRW of 15,500 and also has the corners 'cut' out of the front end for easier turns, etc...

    I assume the B&W turnover ball has to be factory installed?
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Mar 29, 2016
    Gm just recently came out with FW prep kit. Easiest tow vehicle to find with a factory installed FW prep kit is a FORD, years 2011 to current.

    Best hitch for it IMO, is a B&W 3300.

    Jerry
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Mar 29, 2016
    mekkerl wrote:
    Thank you for the quick responses!
    I am looking at SRW standard bed (6.5'), so would need a sliding hitch after researching.
    The FW we are looking to get has a GVRW of 15,500 and also has the corners 'cut' out of the front end for easier turns, etc...

    I assume the B&W turnover ball has to be factory installed?


    You can install a gooseneck ball yourself easily enough, or have a shop do it if you're nervous about cutting into the bed. Just be aware with the turnover ball style hitches that you could have bed deflection issues. I personally think the factory pucks or FW rails are a better setup because they enable all four corners of the hitch to mount directly to the frame.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Mar 29, 2016
    IdaD wrote:
    mekkerl wrote:
    Thank you for the quick responses!
    I am looking at SRW standard bed (6.5'), so would need a sliding hitch after researching.
    The FW we are looking to get has a GVRW of 15,500 and also has the corners 'cut' out of the front end for easier turns, etc...

    I assume the B&W turnover ball has to be factory installed?


    You can install a gooseneck ball yourself easily enough, or have a shop do it if you're nervous about cutting into the bed. Just be aware with the turnover ball style hitches that you could have bed deflection issues. I personally think the factory pucks or FW rails are a better setup because they enable all four corners of the hitch to mount directly to the frame.


    I would not install the turnover ball system, unless you have use for the ball, such as goose neck trailer. The puck system is best, but I have no issue with installing rails. They are easy to install, and if you cut your bed mat around them, it's like they aren't even there, when your hitch is removed.

    Jerry
  • mekkerl's avatar
    mekkerl
    Explorer
    Mar 29, 2016
    I'm thinking of going the rail route -- seems most economical and 'simple' for our use.

    Last question -- I am also in the market for a used hitch...anything I should look out for? Lots of Reese one's available.

    And if I install the rails myself...is it safe to assume that most any hitch will attach to these rails?
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Mar 29, 2016
    The Reese rails, as are most, are pretty standard. IMO, you can't get a better rail mount hitch for the money, than the B&W Patriot, 16K, or 18K. Yes, they will fit Reese rails.

    Jerry
  • sljkansas's avatar
    sljkansas
    Explorer
    Mar 29, 2016
    Isn't the 6.5 ft bed considered a short bed and the 8 ft bed a long bed? You may need to check your clearances with the set you are looking a 6 ft. bed, you may not have enough clearance in a tight turn, when backing up.
  • dedmiston's avatar
    dedmiston
    Moderator
    Mar 29, 2016
    mekkerl wrote:
    I am in the market for a used 3500 diesel truck to tow a FW. My search is almost entirely online, as these vehicles in my price range are hard to find locally, therefore I am willing to find one 1,000-miles away.


    I don't know how adventurous you're feeling, but you might want to check out http://www.texasdirectauto.com/. The market for used trucks is pretty grim here in So Cal, so I widened my search. It turns out the market for used trucks is FANTASTIC in Houston. I saved $6k by buying from them. They would have delivered it too, but I wanted to see it in person. My wife and I flew out on a Friday and took the weekend to drive back home. It was a great deal and a lot of fun.

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