No 5th wheel in a short bed?!?

[mxrcr4]

Just read a review on Edmunds where someone bought a 2011 SD short bed and the dealer is now telling him that he can not install a 5th wheel hitch. Only on the long beds, even said FOMOCO is saying the same thing. Anyone heard of this? Anyone had a 5th wheel installed on a short bed? I know the factory hitch option is only available on the long bed but it makes no sense you can't install a B&W or Reese on a short bed.

[jmelendy]

What my dealer told me was the factory 5th wheel hitch was only available on the long bed. On the short bed they could install it as a dealer option, but cost was pretty high as I recall.

And obviously you can install an after market 5th wheel hitch. There eithther is a misprint or a misunderstanding.

[mtcarmelfarm]

I have a fifth wheel in my 05 short bed.
they are probly just dodging any liability in case they remove the cab in a tight up or downhill curve..... I've seen cabs dented, back glasses busted and many bedsides destroyed.........

[mxrcr4]

Yeah that was what I was thinking. Made no sense you can't instll one. Here is his quote:

"Just found out after buying a 60,000 dollar 2011 superduty that i cannot mount any 5th wheel or goose neck hitch at this time. on a short bed this is through my dealership talking to ford engineers. they are working on the problem. please alert potential buyers now."

That is main reason I am buying one, to tow a 5th wheel toyhauler. So just wanted to be sure.

[joshk]

Its all reliability. You can use a 5th wheel, Ford just can't sell it or say you can.

Imagine if they intalled a 5th wheel and someone busted up the cab? They would be coming back at Ford. This way its up to the customer.

[FX4 Fiend]

Ok, the official setup is that they have the gooseneck/5th wheel prep pkg available for the longbed--not the shortbed--as a factory installed option. You can (and I have seen enough to say so) put a 5th wheel/gn hitch on a s/b--it does give you a shorter distance between the hitch and your rear window, somewhat changing your turning radius, but I have sold to many a customer who utilizes their s/b for 5th wheel.

[Dave]

Its a misunderstanding guys. The FACTORY option is available only in the longbed.

Because the factory option doesnt include a slider 5th wheel

You can put in an aftermarket one

[2warthog]

My friend who has a 2011, Shortbed, F=250, he had a "Slider Hitch" installed in his truck. This was a aftermarket installation and he has not has any problems yet, the truck is a month old. Just because Ford does not install a hitch in a shortbed truck does not mean it can not or should not be done.

[mxrcr4]

That is exactly what I thought, just not what that guy had posted. I was looking for a slider anyway.

[kardoc]

I pull my 5th wheel with my 2008 with no problems. I installed myself with no problems. You will need a Slider Hitch as was mentioned already. I sure there is no difference in the 2011. My hitch was a 16000lb rating