abacusblack
Mission B.C. Canada
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Joined: 01/20/2008
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Hi Everyone.
I need your advice.
I have just purchased a used 34ft 5th wheel ( Two Slides ).
When I finally find a suitable used truck I intend to also have a truck camper for short camping trips to places where the 5th wheel cannot go. The 5th wheel is for full timing and longer holidays.
I understand that I will have to unbolt the 5th wheel hitch each time but what I need to know is if it is OK to leave the rails bolted to the bed, add some 2x4`s to level it off and place the camper on top.
Should I cover the rails and 2x4`s with some plywood to protect the rails first?
Will the weight of the camper damage the hitch rails?
Your advice will be appreciated and I wonder if there are any members actually doing this?
Thank You. Brian. Mission BC.
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nivrig
Kingsville Md
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Joined: 02/03/2004
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Yes, you can use 2X4's as spacers, or you can buy a B&W 5th wheel hitch and it will leave your truck bed flat when you remove it. This is what I did. It takes about 10 minutes to remove and 15 minutes to install it. There are other hitches that will also leave your bed flat.
You might want to ask the guys in the truck camper section. A lot of them also have 5th wheels.
Sam Nivrig
2001 F350, CC, 4WD, PSD, DW
2009 Select Suites 36RESB3
2002 Alpenlite Limited, Cheyenne 950
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fredbaro
pa
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Joined: 08/30/2007
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have a resse hitch when i remove there is nothing in the bed.
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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Pull the pins on the hitch leaving the rails in truck bed.
Take a 4X8 sheet of 1/2" or 3/4" plywood and cut to fit truck bed. Cutout slots where rails are. Lay plywood down in truck bed and cover with a rubber mat. Load truck camper, secure and go camping.
When it's time to take 5'vr unload camper, rubber mat, plywood, install hitch and hook up 5'vr.
No reason to make it complicated...use what you have.
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josten367
Columbia, MO
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Joined: 08/23/2011
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I agree with the B&W Hitch but if you already got a hitch I would put the spacers in. I won't put them on top of the rails so not to damage them.
If the rails take more than 15 minutes to take out I would find a way to leave them in. Just make sure you don't drop anything on them.
When I first read your message I thought you were trying to pull a 5th wheel with the truck camper. Yikes.
2012 Palomino Puma Bunkhouse 5th Wheel 295KBH
2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 Gas with Flowmasters
B&W Companion 5th Wheel
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laknox
Arizona
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Joined: 01/06/2008
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X3 on the B&W if you don't already have a hitch.
Lyle
2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax Crew Cab 4x4
Banks Bullet Tuner and Monster Exhaust
B&W Turnover Ball with 5th Wheel Companion
2004 Komfort 25FSG Fifth Wheel
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 55 Year Member
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Earl E
Green Valley, AZ
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Taking out and re-installing the rails can be a major job depending on the truck you get. The nuts underneath can be very difficult to remove. I would also say to get one of the hitches that leave the bed smooth.
2007 Northwoods Arctic Fox 32 5S Fifth Wheel-for sale now that we are not full-timing
2011 Keystone 23rks Hideout to poke around the smaller parks in the great Southwest
2007 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Diesel
Prodigy brake control
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rockportrocket
on hyway 77
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Joined: 11/15/2011
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I have had a fifthwheel hitch in my truck since new. I also had a 12ft TC for several years. I used the 2x4 many times, but the easiest and best solution for me was to get a slab of 1 inch plywood on top of the 2x4s.
Sure made loading and unloading easier, rode smoother and better and let the tie downs work better and the storage was 100% better.
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mena661
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2009
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fredbaro wrote:have a resse hitch when i remove there is nothing in the bed. X2.
2009 Newmar Canyon Star 3205, Ford F53 V10
Trojan L16 6V's 740 Amp-hours
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sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Joined: 11/18/2001
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Spacers between the hitch rails will allow the camper to sit above the rails with no problems. The camper tie downs will hold the camper securely. Have fun with both.
Frank
2011 Palomino Maverick 1000SLLB on a 2004 Dodge Quadcab CTD Ram3500 SRW long bed equipped with Timbren springs, Stable Load bump stops, Rickson 19.5" wheels/"G" range tires and a Helwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar.
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