Neutral Ford Factory Installed Fifth wheel hitch

slgrandel · 04-16-2011, 10:13 AM

Has anyone used the Ford factory installed fifth wheel hitch ? Does the Reese hitch work well with the installed hitch prep? Do you like it? Have you had any problems with it?

carr880 · 04-24-2011, 09:14 PM

I'll be able to tell you soon wether this option is good or not. I have the 5th wheel hitch prep package in my truck. What I didn't know at the time of ordering the option was that it only supports a Reese Elite Series hitch. An 18k hitch runs in the neighborhood of 1100-1300 depending where you look, which is substatially more than other hitches out there. So, if I remember right, the option was $300, then at least another $1100 plus tax for the hitch. The nice part is that the hitch prep is all under the truck frame. So, when I don't have the hitch installed, there is no rails and my truck bed is flat, minus four plugs I pull out when I have to drop in the hitch. The one nice part, all i have to do is pull the four plastic plugs, drop the hitch in, lock it in place and I'm good to go.

I just ordered my first 5th wheel (CedarCreek/Silverback 35QB4), so I probably won't be able to provide vereran info like how well the hitch handles compared to other ones out there. But at least I might have been helpful on price etc.

MIDDLEAGEMAN1987 · 10-02-2012, 07:01 PM

I have the factory 5th wheel and goose neck prep (on my 2012 F-350), however, I have the B & W Companion Hitch installed. I absolutely love the combination and have told everyone I know how great the setup works. BTW the B & W hitch is 1k cheaper than the Reese...

dezolen · 10-02-2012, 08:04 PM

Very happy with my Reese signature hitch. Not the factory installed mounts but same none the less. Picked it up slightly used so a bargain for amazing hitch.

VenturaBill · 11-14-2012, 10:59 PM

I bought a 2012 F250 6.7L with the 5th wheel prep package. After years of dealing with bed rails I specifically wanted this option. I love it!
I shopped for the Reese Signature hitch and ended up getting the best price thru Amazon Prime. I initially wanted the 18k hitch but they offered the 25k for the same price so I ordered the 25k for $1285 which included shipping. The hitch is solid and easy to install and remove. It can be separated in two pieces which allows easier installation if you're doing it by yourself.
And when the hitch is out, no bed rails!

Lynkage · 11-15-2012, 08:54 AM

I put the option in mine as well. I really like the hitch and bought it localy for a fair price. About $800 total for both parts.

whj77372 · 11-20-2012, 09:17 AM

I have the Ford hitch option in my 2012 F250 longbed and it only supports the Reese Elite 5th hitch. I got a Reese 5er hitch but not the Elite as i felt that it was to expensive for what I required.

dretired · 11-20-2012, 09:30 AM

If..anyone has a close relative that works for Ford .. they need to see about a A,X or Z plan employee/retiree discount ..also ..work a deal out with their Ford dealer for the reese fifth wheel hitch...if..thats the one you want.

Fyrwalker · 02-05-2013, 01:03 AM

I had dealt with in bed rails for years and tried several ways to make it easier to use my bed after removing the super heavy hitch assembly. Nothing really worked well and it was a very big hassle to take the hitch in and out. I bought my 2012 F350 LB with the new hitch prep and fifth wheel hitch. I love it! First, no bed rails and the pucks (holes and covers the hitch mounts in) are flat with the entire bed usable with the hitch out! Secondly, the foot print of the hitch is much smaller than my previous hitches which leaves much more room for other stuff even when towing. And lastly, placing the hitch in and out of the bed is so easy. It comes apart into two pieces with each half being very easy to handle. It is a little tough putting to two pieces back together but once you get the hang of it it becomes much easier! I would never go back to the old style of hitch and Ford got this one right!

VenturaBill · 02-05-2013, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrwalker

... I bought my 2012 F350 LB with the new hitch prep and fifth wheel hitch. I love it! First, no bed rails and the pucks (holes and covers the hitch mounts in) are flat with the entire bed usable with the hitch out!...

I agree completely. I looked at the cost vs. the practicability of the 5th wheel prep package/Reese Elite hitch and didn't hesitate to make that a priority option when shopping for my truck.

If you think about it, how much do we invest in vanity add-ons for our trucks? That's not a bad thing, but the value that this option provides might not be seen but it will be appreciated continually over the years...

QCCowboy · 02-05-2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VenturaBill

I agree completely. I looked at the cost vs. the practicability of the 5th wheel prep package/Reese Elite hitch and didn't hesitate to make that a priority option when shopping for my truck.
.

X2. Got the 5th Wheel prep package (it was a requirement for me) when I purchased my F350. Wound up buying the hitch from a local dealer at a great price. The Reese Elite has been a great hitch so far and the ability to remove the hitch quickly and not have rails left is great. I wound up with the 18k vs. the 25k given that even if I upgrade to a larger fifth in the future, I cannot see needing the 25k hitch (at least that is what I think now

Kerryj · 02-05-2013, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynkage

I put the option in mine as well. I really like the hitch and bought it localy for a fair price. About $800 total for both parts.

Hi Lynkage! Did you get the Reese Elite 18k for that price? AND the rail system? If so where??? The cheapest I can find the hitch is $932. on amazon, and then Etrailer.com will pricematch at 110% so another few bucks off that. Let me know!!!

coderider · 02-05-2013, 08:15 PM

Just got a new F350 LB Dually with the hitch prep package installed. Putting the hitch in is easy and having the full bed available is great when the hitch is out.

We paid $1165 for the Ford branded Reese Elite 18k.

Waiting to tow for the first time (getting the first 1000 miles on the truck as recommended by ford) and can't wait to try it out.

akhunter · 02-19-2013, 12:04 AM

something not everyone knows about is that reese makes an adapter to use a traditional hitch that uses the rail system work with the new under mounted system, i bought my new truck thinking great, i have to buy a new hitch then i found the adapter. reese part number 30156, saves a guy a bunch of money if you already own a hitch like i did, only adds about 4 inches in height to the hitch.

VenturaBill · 02-19-2013, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akhunter

something not everyone knows about is that reese makes an adapter to use a traditional hitch that uses the rail system work with the new under mounted system, i bought my new truck thinking great, i have to buy a new hitch then i found the adapter. reese part number 30156, saves a guy a bunch of money if you already own a hitch like i did, only adds about 4 inches in height to the hitch.

That's a really neat adapter, you can use your existing hitch, but remove it all, including the adapter and end up with a flat bed with no rails!

cookie12 · 04-09-2013, 10:58 PM

I have the Reese Elite 18K hitch. B&W also makes a Ford OEM hitch for the factory undermounts as well model 3300. The fact that I have a totally flat box after removing the hitch was a factor. I have not towed with it yet as our trailer is on order so I can not give any feedback on that. I decided to go with the Reese as you can add the slider to the undermount system and utilize this same hitch. The B&W OEM one does not offer a slider option for the Ford undermount system. I contacted B&W and they are coming out with a slider but not one for the Ford undermount system I was told.

dezolen · 04-10-2013, 06:12 AM

Been towing with mine for 4 years now and never had any other 5th wheel hitch. I keep reading on this and other forums about chucking, cluncking and other problems with towing a 5th wheel.
Never have I experienced any of these problems. Forget the trailer is behind us till I look in the rear view.
Is it the hitch? I do not guarantee it is but I swear by it.

Iggy · 04-19-2014, 09:33 PM

This review needs some pictures

msalone · 04-30-2014, 08:28 PM

Have it and love it, my old truck had rails and now I have the puck style in my 2012 f350 and it is great. And have towed a lot, Also have a short bed and do not need a slider.

dwaynerz · 04-30-2014, 08:51 PM

Don't know why ford recommends a 1000 mile break in period. Otr trucks generally have very few miles when bought new, and are immediatly hooked up to whatever the owner drags behind him at trade in time. They recommend driving easy for awhile, but don't say one must put any miles on them before towing. I say hook up and go.

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