Base Rail Bent

[OldMichael]

I just noticed the front base rail, the rails in the bed of the truck the hitch attaches too, is bent. It is the rail closest to the cab. There are three bolts securing it to the truck. It is bent on the driver's side of the center bolt.
So what did I do to bend it? I tow a 8k 30 ft 5er. Hitch rated to 16k.
Plan on replacing rail myself so is there anything I need to watch for?

[cummins2014]

OldMichael wrote:
Thanks for all the comments and advise. Even with a long bed I still use the slider for a little more turning freedom when backing into my drive, I live on a cul de sac so it is a tight turn to back into drive. The last time I did this Iimanually applied trailer brakes and pull forward. Won't be doing that again, may not even slide it back again.
My course of action based on comments here will be to replace at least the front bar. Since by bed now gas a buckle in it I will place a piece of angle iron beneath the bed for the center bolt and hopefully will be able to include the two end bolts.

You are bolted to the frame on the end bolts, but as said only the sheet metal in the middle. Sounds like you are headed in the right direction.

Those rails bend easier then one would think. Like you I only slide mine back to back into my rv pad, its a tight fit beside the house. Now I unhook slide the hitch back, hook back up ,and continue .

[OldMichael]

Thanks for all the comments and advise. Even with a long bed I still use the slider for a little more turning freedom when backing into my drive, I live on a cul de sac so it is a tight turn to back into drive. The last time I did this Iimanually applied trailer brakes and pull forward. Won't be doing that again, may not even slide it back again.
My course of action based on comments here will be to replace at least the front bar. Since by bed now gas a buckle in it I will place a piece of angle iron beneath the bed for the center bolt and hopefully will be able to include the two end bolts.

[phillyg]

I looked at my same hitch and rails and can visualize the possibility of bending a rail if it slammed back hard enough. Perhaps I should have shelled out the additional dollars for a Pullrite Superglide. I'm going to be very careful to slide more gently in the future.

[Shrek51]

I had the same problem and because of the improper amount of bolts and looseness of one or two of them I had a lot of problems:

1) rail bent which caused the 5er pin to put pressure on the jaws of
the hitch (Reese 16K)

2) caused the hitch to release after proper hook-up, bent rails of
truck bed and tailgate.

3) slider did not work and was jammed and had to use pry bar to
get the slider free.

4) Camping World in Tampa told me not to pull with that hitch.

5) Had to purchase a new slider, went with a Pro-glide slider.

[cummins2014]

I noticed you have a slider, but you are probably not sliding your hitch back, there would be no reason with a long bed.

[cummins2014]

OldMichael wrote:
Yes there are 5 two on each end one in the middle. F250 V10 long bed, slider hitch.

Sounds like the bed is bending up with the rail. Have you slammed the hitch back pretty hard when sliding it back . I bent mine sliding it back too hard. I straightened the rail, and added two bolts in the center, but you should try to get reinforcement under the bed ,all thats holding those bolts is the sheet metal.

[Learjet]

OldMichael wrote:
Yes there are 5 two on each end one in the middle. F250 V10 long bed, slider hitch.

might want to see this thread:

link..............

[OldMichael]

Yes there are 5 two on each end one in the middle. F250 V10 long bed, slider hitch.

[phillyg]

That's not good but agree, two bolts on each end and one in the middle, minimum.

[Learjet]

and do you have a slider?

[newman_fulltime]

You should have 5 bolts not just 3