5er Hitch models that work with AirLift Air bags Installed

[JoeChiOhki]

Howdy all, first question here in the 5th wheel forum :).

I've got a 1992 Dodge W350 pickup truck that is currently equipped with a set of AirLift Airbags. According to Airlift's website there is a notice on the kit that "Will not fit applications with a side-mount fifth wheel hitch.", so I am looking for 5th wheel hitch brands and models where this will not be an issue when I get the truck outfitted later this year.

[JoeChiOhki]

recycler wrote:
if you get the rail style they tend to be mounted with angle brackets on one edge of the rails at the ends of the wheel wells so you should be fine...i would post pics, but removed them both about month ago...

Thanks :). On the first gen Dodges, the airbag mount is on the side of the truck frame, but is also centered right over the leaf springs.

What brand was your hitch recycler?

[recycler]

if you get the rail style they tend to be mounted with angle brackets on one edge of the rails at the ends of the wheel wells so you should be fine...i would post pics, but removed them both about month ago...

[retired-tech]

recycler has firestone bags and fifth wheel rails on his dodge like yours. I bet the directions are inferring to the long brackets.

[Alley_Fox]

I have a GMC 2500 LB with Ride Rites and a B&W GN/Companion, no interference and I think my Dodge owner friends have told me that same setup works well on their trucks.

[JEBar]

on our former '02 Chevy 3500 we had AirLift Air Bags and the standard Reese rails in the bed of the truck .... zero problems .... I no longer own that truck but it is still in service with over a quarter of a million miles on it

Jim

[car2900]

I just had a set of Firestone Ride Rites installed on my 2011 Silverado 2500 HD D/A. I was worried that the Reese custom hitch brackets would interfere with the installation because a dealer for the Air Lift brand told me it couldn't be done. As you see, it can.

[Norskeman]

I have a Reese custom rail kit - installing the air bags was tight because of the u-clamps that have to go around the frame where the bracket for the hitch was installed.

[Michaelunderway]

I have air bags and a drawtite gooseneck hitch with an Andersen Ultimate gooseneck to 5th wheel adapter. I have a F250 SuperDuty shortbed and it allows me to turn super tight without hitting my cab. My trailer is around 8000 Lbs and i barely feel it back there when i have the airbags at the same pressure as my tires.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Sounds like a tough one.

Most all I have ever seen, save for the new factory fifth wheel preparations available now, were side mounted kits with the bed rails fastened down on the side to the truck frame.

There is one, and not sure, is it B & W ??? that mounts a hitch into where a gooseneck ball would go.

That said, you would still need the ability to have a gooseneck hitch in the truck. And surely a lot of them are side mounted as well.

Well, I hope my rambling at least gives you an idea to try.

[hammer21661]

I don't get it. Like when you install the mounts for the rails?