5th wheel rails in bed?

[guidry]

I'm Looking at buying a used TC just for fishing excursions when pulling my bass boat. I currently currently have a BW hitch in my 3500 short bed (6 1/2') crew cab and will use it frequently too. Truck has the electrical plug inside the bed. Other than pulling the hitch out, what else will I need before putting the TC in the truck bed? Is there anything I can do to leave the 5th rails in? Can I place rubber mats or plywood before and after the rails to even the floor out for the TC? Thank you all?

[towpro]

I just finished putting 2 sheets of plywood between the rails. The first layer puts up against the Reese rails where they hit the bed floor. The next layer is bigger and buts up against the side of the Reese rails. Now when i throw a rubber mat in the truck it will cover the plywood and the rails in 1 full piece.

I like the idea of the foam insulation, but for the first trip I have to drive 6 hours without the tailgate to pick up the camper. I think the foam would blow out even with a rubber mat installed.

[happycamper1942]

I use 2x6s, I need to raise the camper anyway to clear rhe truck roof.

[MARKW8]

My Lance sits on 2 2x8s, 1frt and one back, and 2 2x6s, either side of the wheel wells. Been doing this on two different trucks for 15 yrs.

Mark

[tuna_fisher]

Do the same as Wind Surfer works perfect, don't know why I don't take the rails out I never use the 5er anymore, it's become a guest room, much prefer the TC.

[Wind_Surfer]

No worries, just did a very similar thing; bought a TC so we can go to the boonies.

I bought 3/4" pressure treated ply and put my rubber bed mat on top of the ply. 5th wheel hitch rails are 1 1/8" above the bed. 3/4" ply plus rubber mat puts me right on the top of the 5th rails.

Haven't owner a camper for 20 plus years; all I can say is the electric jacks are sweet!

[Artum_Snowbird]

The best thing to put in when you want the T/C is rigid foam like what is used to insulate foundations. It will not compress and is not slippery. It is also very light.