Installing a fifth wheel hitch means mounting the bed rails or pucks, bolting down the base, setting the height, and torquing every fastener to spec.
A fifth wheel hitch rides in the truck bed and carries the trailer’s king pin, so the whole rig’s stability lives or dies on the install. Knowing how to install a fifth wheel hitch in a truck properly is what separates a solid, level tow from one that clunks in every turn.
The job takes a few hours with basic hand tools, and the sequence is nearly the same across kits: mount the rails or adapters, bolt the base in place, set the height, and torque everything. Plan on a torque wrench, a socket set, and a drill — those three cover the job on every mounting style.
What to Check Before You Install a Fifth Wheel Hitch
Confirm the hitch matches the truck and the trailer before any drilling; most install problems start with the wrong mounting system. Fifth wheel hitches mount three ways. Above-bed rail kits bolt rails across the bed and work with nearly any truck. Under-bed bracket systems, like Curt’s, put the hardware below the bed for a cleaner floor. Trucks with factory puck systems skip drilling entirely and use adapters — PullRite makes an OE adapter that fits 2020 to present GM trucks with the factory fifth wheel puck system.
Run through this checklist before buying or installing:
- Pivot position. The hitch should sit with its pivot point on or ahead of the rear axle, never behind it.
- King pin. Use only a SAE 2-inch king pin; larger pins won’t seat in the hitch head.
- Fitment. Kits are truck-specific, so match the part number to your exact truck model and bed length. Plan for the bed liner, too — most rail installs need it cut away at the mounting points so the brackets sit flush.
If you’re still deciding between rail, puck, and under-bed setups, our roundup of the best truck fifth wheel hitches compares the top-rated kits for each mounting style.
Installing a Fifth Wheel Hitch in a Truck: The Step Order That Works
The order is the same whether you are mounting above-bed rails or a puck adapter: position, drill if needed, bolt, assemble, set height, and torque. Work through it in sequence:
- Remove the tailgate if the kit calls for it — some rail installs need the tailgate temporarily out of the way to reach the bed.
- Position the rails or mounting points with the pivot on or ahead of the rear axle. Mark the holes, drill pilots, then enlarge them