Step 1: Remove the spare tire

Installing a 5th wheel with brackets and base rails requires access to the underbelly of your truck bed. Remove the spare tire to give yourself more space.

You may also need to remove a heat shield or other components throughout the process. Be sure to follow the instructions accompanying your specific hitch.

Step 2: Position the front base rail

Place the base rail that will be closest to the truck cab into position, measuring the correct distance from the front of the truck bed. This distance can vary between long-bed and short-bed pickup trucks. Refer to the instructions for exact measurements.

You will also need to center the base rail between the wheel wells.

Step 3: Mark the first drill locations

With the base rail correctly positioned, mark the bolt hole locations for the rail, using a paint pen.

Then, use a center punch to mark just one of the drill locations. The other bolt locations will be marked in a later step. The center-punch will pinpoint exactly where to drill and will help keep the drill bit from wandering. Finally, drill a pilot hole down through the marked location.

Step 4: Check the pilot hole under the bed

Temporarily position the appropriate under-bed 5th wheel bracket, corresponding to the pilot hole location you just drilled.

If the bracket lines up correctly with the hole, the remaining bolt holes can be drilled. Mark them with a paint pen, move the base rail out of the way, center-punch the drill locations and drill down from above the truck bed.

Step 5: Enlarge the bolt holes

Using a step bit, drill out the pilot holes until they are large enough to accept the bolts of the 5th wheel rails. Go slowly and drill carefully.

With the bolts holes drilled to the proper size, we recommend using some touch-up paint to protect any exposed metal edges. This will help prevent corrosion. Deburr the drilled holes, and then apply the paint.

Step 6: Bolt in the under-bed brackets

Position the under-bed brackets on either side of the truck bed. These are typically installed from the wheel well opening.

Place the appropriate bracket or brackets into position and fasten them to the frame of the truck with the included nuts and bolts. Then, fasten the other bracket on the opposite side of the truck.

Step 7: Bolt down the 5th wheel rail

Reposition the base rail again in the truck bed over the appropriate bolt hole locations. If the truck has bed rails in the bottom of the truck bed, spacers may be included. These need to be positioned under the 5th wheel rails, between the truck bed rails, to ensure consistent metal-to-metal contact.

With the rails in position, insert the bolts down through the holes and secure them with nuts applied underneath the truck bed.

Step 8: Measure the 5th wheel hitch height

Your 5th wheel hitch will need to be installed at the correct height to accommodate your truck bed. There must be a minimum height difference of 5-1/2″ between your truck bed walls and the trailer.

To find the hitch height, make sure your trailer is parked on a level surface. Then, measure from the ground to the underside of the kingpin plate (A). Next, measure from the ground to the top of the open tailgate of your truck (B).

A minus B equals C, the required height for your 5th wheel hitch.