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ReneeG
Meridian, Idaho
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Joined: 07/13/2005
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Hensley TrailerSaver BD3 is removable in several parts and attaches to a puck system. When removed, you're left with a flat truck bed.
2011 Bighorn 3055RL
2011 F350 DRW 6.7L 4x4 Diesel Lariat and Hensley BD3
1992 Jeep ZJ and 1978 Coleman Concord Pop-Up for remote camping
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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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Joined: 07/16/2003
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I had to buy a newer truck to get that. didn't make anything for my older ford back then. but ya a normal hitch bolts to the fram through your bed and you cant take it out easy at all. like has been sugested see if anyone makes a under bed conversion for your truck. it will basicly convert you to something like the puck mounted systems the new trucks have. with the ford puck system it takes me 5 min to take my hitch out and be left with a flat bed ready for my camper.
2014 F350 6.7 Platinum
2016 Cougar 330RBK
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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Bedlam wrote:There are two-part hitches where the hitch head and cradle separate to make them lighter. Anderson fifth wheel hitches are lighter but some people feel they are not up to the task.
If your truck has pucks or a gooseneck to mount a hitch, you have almost a flat surface and not much to push up on the under side of the camper. If you have to install rails, you will need to build up the bed surface to those rails before loading the camper.
Just leave the hitch connected to the trailer and lift the front of the trailer. No need to break it down. It can easily support the hitch weight (just make sure to lock it, so someone doesn't accidentally release it and drop it on their foot).
But I think the OP is talking about the bed rails.
- If you get the puck system, there are no rails.
- You can cut plywood of the same height to fit around the rails.
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Ford F250 V10
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TxGearhead
Texas
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If your truck doesn't have the factory puck system, I would get a B&W Turnover gooseneck ball installed. If your 5th wheel is under say 15,000# I would go with the Andersen Ultimate or a PullRite 2600 Single Point. But Lippert who makes 90% of 5th wheel frames will not warranty any frame damage with a Andersen or the PullRite 2600.
The other choices are a GEN Y gooseneck hitch, Lippert won't warranty with that either.
The one I have is the Reese Goosebox. It IS warrantied by Lippert, since Lippert owns Reese. I love it. Has an air bag and 2 shock absorbers. Best ride I've had with 3 different 5th's and 3 different hitches. Un-hook from the 5th and all that is in the truck bed is the ball. Mine removes in about 2 seconds.
2018 Ram 3500 CC LB DRW 4X4 Cummins Aisin Laramie Pearl White
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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Half of you are missing the point.
OP is not worried about taking the hitch out of the truck.
OP is concerned about the rails that are left installed on the bed floor after the hitch is removed.
Not all 5th wheels are designed that way.
Andersen Ultimate 5th wheel hitch in combination with a turnover ball style gooseneck hitch also leaves your bed open, like the suggestions of the other half of the people responding to this thread.
Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.
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ReneeG
Meridian, Idaho
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mkirsch wrote:Half of you are missing the point.
OP is not worried about taking the hitch out of the truck.
OP is concerned about the rails that are left installed on the bed floor after the hitch is removed.
Not all 5th wheels are designed that way.
Andersen Ultimate 5th wheel hitch in combination with a turnover ball style gooseneck hitch also leaves your bed open, like the suggestions of the other half of the people responding to this thread.
Didn't miss his point. Our hitch, TrailerSave BD3, removes completely, and easily, leaving the flat bottom of the bed, no rails. Attaches to the puck system.
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zb39
slippery rock
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B&W turn over. I have had 2 different B&W fiver hitches. Both leave the bed clean and smooth. Zero issues with them.
2017 Host mammoth, sold
49 states, 41 National Parks, 7 Provinces
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towpro
Compass PA
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For a couple of truck campers I had a reese 5th wheel hitch in bed that left the rails down.
One one camper I used 2x3's screwed to the camper floor so it would ride in bed and not hit the rails.
On another camper I used 2x 3/4" plywood spacers I built that would lay in front of, between and behind the rails to support camper. I would throw then into truck instead of screwing them to camper floor than throw rubber mat over it.
than I got a 2015 Ram which had the factory hitch pucks mounted in the bed, that allowed the bed to be flat when I removed the hitch.
2022 Ford F150
Sold: 2016 Arctic Fox 990, 2018 Ram 3500, 2011 Open Range
Sold Forest River Forester 2401R Mercedes Benz. when campsites went from $90 to $190 per night.
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