5th wheel hitch rail problem

Campinfan wrote:
Seems to me there wouldn't be a rail in the center....but I am new to fifth wheeling.

We're talking about a center bolt. Centered between end to end on each rail. There is nothing underneath the bed at that point, so it just bolts to the bed sheet metal. Adds minimally to the strength.

edhensley wrote:

bpounds wrote:
Doesn't the center bolt always just bolt to the bed? Only the outer ones connect to the frame on my rails. And if I recall correctly the center bolt is optional except when used with hitches greater than 16k cap.

I think that rail needs to simply be removed and straightened.

If it isn't too much bother, I would like to see a picture of the issue.

I would think twice about straightening, that would reduce the hardness unless a new heat treat. The people saying a picture would be nice are correct. If it is minor and not changing or bending the bed, you should be OK, if it is not minor or still bending you should replace it.

Nah, there's nothing heat treated about those rails. Just formed steel. Drill 'em, weld 'em, bend 'em, you can't hurt 'em.

bpounds wrote:
Doesn't the center bolt always just bolt to the bed? Only the outer ones connect to the frame on my rails. And if I recall correctly the center bolt is optional except when used with hitches greater than 16k cap.

I think that rail needs to simply be removed and straightened.

If it isn't too much bother, I would like to see a picture of the issue.

I would think twice about straightening, that would reduce the hardness unless a new heat treat. The people saying a picture would be nice are correct. If it is minor and not changing or bending the bed, you should be OK, if it is not minor or still bending you should replace it.

Seems to me there wouldn't be a rail in the center....but I am new to fifth wheeling.

Doesn't the center bolt always just bolt to the bed? Only the outer ones connect to the frame on my rails. And if I recall correctly the center bolt is optional except when used with hitches greater than 16k cap.

I think that rail needs to simply be removed and straightened.

If it isn't too much bother, I would like to see a picture of the issue.

Ihave mine bolted through the Frame.

That's one of the reasons I won't use those surface mount rails-just not enough support.

I had the same issue with the rear rail but mine was due to an accident with the trailer hooked up. I removed the rail, straightened it and put it back. Took about an hour. Looks normal now.

Can't speak to Ford, but on my Ram the bolts on the front rail goes through the bed and the bed channel. If so, make sure they didn't cheat by not putting the spacers in the channel or it will never torque properly.