Is additional hardware needed when installing a gooseneck plate on bed rails?

[wfd2]

I bought my truck with the rails already installed in the bed. I want to install a 25k Curt gooseneck plate so I can tow a 14k gooseneck flatbed trailer.

Each rail has the 4 standard bolts holding them into the bed. Some folks are saying that these rails should be reinforced with additional bolts in the middle to provide additional support for the gooseneck plate.

Is it necessary to do this?

Thanks!

[jesilvas]

Nope. Slap that puppy in and pin it.
I prefer the 10 bolt rails but I don't see a problem with the 4s.
Think about it: If that GN is 14K (empty or max), you'll have quite a bit of weight pushing DOWN on the rails. Then, the rails will be resting on the bed. So vertically, it should be fine. Like I said, I like the 10s better, but I don't see an issue with it. As long as the plate fits the rails.

[Motors In Motion Inc.]

If you look under the bed you'll realize the outside bolts on the rails go through the bed and bolt into some brackets. Those brackets then bolt into the frame of the truck. The middle bolts in the rails only bolt through the bed. Basically, if the outter bolts/brackets gave out, the center bolts wouldn't be holding the hitch in the bed anyways. You should be fine running with only the outter bolts installed but when we install rail kits we usually put one bolt in the middle to keep the rail from bowing over time. If you have any questions feel free to visit our site at Trailers for Sale Georgia, North GA Trailer Dealer New & Used Utility Trailers, Truck Beds, Horse Trailers, Equipment Trailer Sales, Service, Repairs and contact us!