Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

Poorly packaged at the warehouse which caused a box failure enroute to my house. I REALLY needed this for the weekend and will now have to either borrow a truck with a hitch or find a kit locally. Customer service blamed UPS. I disagree. Had the box been secured properly from etrailer to begin with, I wouldn’t be writing this review. I will not order anything heavy from them again.1200457

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I was a little leery of installing a fifth wheel hitch to begin with, but after watching the videos from etrailer a few times and reading the instructions a couple of times, I decided I could do it. I installed the RP50064-58 kit for fifth wheel hitches and the Reese 30083 Fifth Wheel 20K w/Round Slider Unit on my 2006 GMC 2500HD short-bed. I had my three grandsons, ages 2, 3, and 7, helping me. The installation went really smooth (other than the younger children occasionally running off with tools) and I am very impressed by how sturdy it is. Now I am looking forward to receiving the Stromberg Carlson 100 Series 5th Wheel Tailgate with Open Design that I ordered. Thank you etrailer! You make it fun and easy!39310

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by: Robert 11/13/2021

It wasn't so easy for me as I am 80 yrs. old but I got her done in a days time and it works fine, all the measurements in the directions were right on.1202759

The kit worked fine but the camper was too much weight for a 12 ton, sold the truck and bought a 34 ton with fifth wheel in it

Robert - 11/13/2022

152150

I was a bit nervous at first installing the rails that would eventually hold the weight of a 16,000lb camper, however after reading the instructions and looking at the quality of the parts, I felt alot more comfortable. The installation was very easy, and with the large side plates, I feel alot better knowing the rails and hitch are secured to the frame with more than those small pieces of L steel that normally come with the kit. Install only took me about an hour and the hitch is very solid!57438

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I have a 2006 2500HD with an existing gooseneck hitch that is welded in place between the frame. I had thought the "custom-fit 5th wheel" brackets would still fit so I ordered them so as to not have to drill in the truck frame. Unfortunately, the gooseneck channel is in the way of where the "U" bolt needed to go on the back side of the frame so I have to return this and get the "universal" install kit / rails. It will still be fine but I was trying to not drill in the frame any more than necessary.

I just wanted to pass this along incase anyone else had the same setup. It will save you some time, frustration, and shipping money :-). It was my fault (not etrailer's) .

I attached a picture showing where the bracket is with the gooseneck channel behind it (in the way). Hope it helps someone else.345152

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Not as easy as the online videos would lead you to believe. However I did manage to get it installed. Getting the spacers nuts and lock washers on the bolts over the gas tank on my 2014 Silverado were a real SOB. Dropped 3 lock washer into the shroud over the gas tank while trying to accomplish this. Ended up taping the nut and lock washer to my wrench to get them in position while someone turned the bolt from inside the truck bed.565367

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I did not have to take off the spare tire or do anything with my heat shield. It bolted right on took about 4 hours.1321756

Very fast shipping for the 5th wheel sliding hitch, rails and wiring ! Installation was very straight forward although the instructions were a bit vague. Watched the installation videos a couple of times which was a big help. Took about 4 hours for everything including wiring. Could have been quicker if I took off the rear wheels and lowered the exhaust but just worked around them. Picked up my new 5th wheel a week later and was very happy with the hitch - No problems at all. This was installed on a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.342420

Still very happy after thousands of miles !

Matthew W - 02/09/2018

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by: William 08/17/2022

Had everything needed for installation 1361715

by: Mccabe09/05/2022

Good kit heavy duty. 1392792

by: SubSpiderman11/28/2022

Works Great! 1474946

Very good products that are built to last. Nice thick powder coat. My order was an odd one . I ordered a fifth wheel base kit for a Chevrolet 1500. I don’t think many 1500s put fithwheel kits on them, but it’s for a 1500 towable Camper , very short and light. The system kept trying to send me the kit for a newer 2500 or 3500 I guess but we finally got it right with the required pieces to get it mounted. Nice and respectful service on the phone.1182733

by: Bob P.04/10/2016

2012 GMC Sierra

Per instructions, removal of the vehicle heat shield was a beastly process. Modification of inner fenders was never mentioned in the instructions, had to modify the brackets to eliminate interference fit with hanger on the drivers side on the frame. Had to customize an existing bracket to allow access to mounting bolt on driver side. Also had to modify the frame to gain access to hold 3/4" bolt head for tightening mounting plates. It would have been much better to have had 2 throw away short open end stamped wrenches supplied with the kit in exchange for many extra bolts and other hardware. Once custom fabrication was complete it does work fine.243610

Instructions leave something to be desired.. and every bolt needed for every variation of truck this kit can go on is included, so lots of leftover hardware. Surprising for a 'custom' kit (not universal).

Other than that, got it installed on my 2005 Silverado 3500 in roughly the time advertised. Almost. Still trying to figure out how to tighten the last nut that is really hard to reach.416956

No issues after a year. Kudos to etrailer for asking since so many people jump the gun quickly with glowing reviews only to realize disappointment soon after. Not so with this kit all is still good.

Mikey - 08/06/2018

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by: Bernard11/07/2017

GMC

Ordered the Reese Quick-install rail and installation kit for my 08 GMC because the 05 brackets I had did not fit the 08. A friend and I installed it in about 2 hours, had difficulty installing one bolt above the fuel tank but this was to be expected. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. The parts fit perfectly and looked like a professional installation when finished. 449978

The frame brackets and measurements worked out incredibly accurately! I am very happy with my purchase and the install time. I will say this, if installed on a 2004 GMC Sierra 2500, the drivers side frame rail is dished inwardly. Making the 1/2x2” bolt impossible to get in the hole from the inside of the frame out! This problem held me up for at least 1-2 hrs, since I had to grind off and make the actual bolt 1 1/2 long to be able to fit it in the proper location in the frame. It would be nice to accommodate for this in the future. 549979

This kit was a perfect fit on my 2006 Duramax crew cab. Installation was a breezy and it did not require any drilling or welding of the frame. The instructions were good and all necessary bolts and nuts were supplied ( along with a lifetime supply of spares). I would highly suggest this seller and their kit if you need fifth wheel rails installed in your truck.
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Perfectly

Chris P - 11/26/2015

15998

I CAN NOT SAY ANYMORE ABOUT THIS SITE “ EXCELLENT”683100

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Got my order in record time!
Found the rails cheaper elsewhere but they couldn't deliver. You could.
Thanks380163

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by: George 02/06/2021

Great kit, everything needed short of tools was included, installed in a couple hours.952288

Everything is great, no problems!!

George - 02/07/2022

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I bought a new Chevy 2014 Silverado Double Cab 4X4 with the 6' 6" bed and needed a bed rail kit to mount a fifth wheel hitch from another vehicle. Plan on spending 6 - 8 hours to install it if you have no previous experience with this installation. Make sure you have less than 1/4 of a tank of gas as the installation requires lowering the gas tank down about 12 inches. You will also need to remove the spare tire. You will save yourself a lot grief by doing these two things first. Also note the position of the bolts that hold the rails to the brackets, the front rail uses the outer most holes. The rear rail uses the second set of holes inward from the end of the rail. If you have a bed liner, trim it first before doing anything else.

This is a well designed heavy duty product. I have purchased several different products over the years and never had a complaint. Their service and pricing have been great. 159179

I brought this 5th Wheel rail kit to a local Hitch Installation and Welding shop, and they installed it for me in one day. I brought the Hensley Trailersaver TS3 5th Wheel Hitch as well, so that the whole assembly could be line-up precisely as prescribed, with the center of the Kingpin at 1-5/8" forward of the truck drive axle center line. Great product by Reese, that fit my 2002 Silverado 3500 perfectly. Would recommend Reese products to anyone contemplating towing an RV/Travel Trailer. 177997

I bought these quick install base rail plates instead of the universal fits all-fits nothing well angle plates that I had used on a different truck. Watch the video e-trailer has on line in the help section and the video is much better than the instructions that come with the plates.

My install went just like the video except the truck was only 2 days old so I didn't want to drop the exhaust or the fuel tank. It was tight between the fuel tank and the bolts that hold the rails in the bed but do-able.

The exhaust side was easier and I didn't have the exhaust tin shield like on the video but it was still tight but easier than the fuel tank side.

Using the measurements like in the video ALL the holes lined up like through the bed like they were supposed to with out any reaming of the plates or brackets.

The plates on the frame with the spacers worked great just like in the video and are worth the up charge of $$$ instead of using the universal angle supports.

With my Silverado being only 2 days old I was not going to drill any holes in to the frame for any reason to have chevy void my warranty so these bolt on plates using exsisting holes were the nuts!!!

I bought new bed rails for my fifth wheel as it would just have been to much of a pain to mess with the rusted bolts in the old truck.

All the hardware was there, every thing was packed waaaay too good, and it all came fast.

Who could ask for more

Eric Horn51691

Like a few of the other reviewers, I decided that the custom brackets for my 2005 Silverado 2500HD with 6 1/2 foot box was the way to go because I didn't want to be drilling and fitting the smaller brackets under there. Here's some thoughts. Yes, the spare tire really needs to come down - that took me about 2 hours, as I have never had it down before and had to keep referring to the instruction manual. Making measurements for the rail placement and drilling the holes in the bed was the easy part, as was using tip snips to remove a section of the heat shield underneath. The hard part was drilling the optional hole in the frame for the 1/2 inch bolt and fishing the bolt through on the drivers side (passenger side was an easy fish). I started with 1/2 inch hole for the 1/2 inch bolt - ended up drilling a 9/16 hole so the bolt would come through. Still, I do feel comfortable that this bolt provides extra security/rigidity to the brackets. The other hard thing to do was get the rectangular offset hole plate and lock washer attached to the rail bolts up by the fuel tank. Ended up hot gluing the lock washer to the plate because I was out of fingers to hold the pieces up there and thread the nut onto the bolt - ideally one would need to be part stretch armstrong and part contortionist. My total installation time was closer to 5-6 hours - but when it comes to something like this, I would rather be slow and thorough than fast and miss something. The kit contained everything needed and even a few leftover parts - so don't be concerned. Towed my new trailer home 2 nights ago and was pleased with the set-up and how it towed. 15327

This is my first time pulling a 5th wheel but not the first time traveling in a RV. Looking at the installation kits for these 5th wheels was a learning experience! Not many places sell the Quick-Install Custom Base Rails and Installation Kit. Since this is my first time pulling I wanted the security of knowing all four bolts holding the Base rails to the frame were attached to bracket. I'm not the one doing the install, but from what I see, the time should be cut by 1/3 from the other way of installing the base rails. eTrailer was the only one of the 5 websites I checked that had what I was looking for.
Regards,
Robert G from MI11467