5th Wheel Prep Package

[Agargano98]

On 10/29/2023 at 6:01 PM, gemarsh said:

Did you see a reason why you couldn't have turned it 180° to get it over the axle like a long bed?

 

I read it was because of a crossmember. I don't see it from your photos. 

 

Then I read it was for turning clearance with the cab.

If you look at the hitch there is a u channel in front of the ball mount.  This is for clearance for a stiffener on the underside of the bed itself.

[gemarsh]

1 hour ago, Agargano98 said:

If you look at the hitch there is a u channel in front of the ball mount.  This is for clearance for a stiffener on the underside of the bed itself.

A BED crossmember. I didn't see that coming. Thanks.

[Benwehmann]

Did any of you get a wiring harness to put the 7 pin connector in the bed or are you just using an extension? If you did, do you have the part number for that? I know there are lots of generic kits but I want the camera plugs in the bed along with the connector. 

Edited September 5, 2024 by Benwehmann

[tonto340]

If you don't want to go through GM for the parts you can also shop etrailer.com. They have the hitch, wiring and video instructions online.

[Ry Guy]

On 9/5/2024 at 4:25 PM, Benwehmann said:

Did any of you get a wiring harness to put the 7 pin connector in the bed or are you just using an extension? If you did, do you have the part number for that? I know there are lots of generic kits but I want the camera plugs in the bed along with the connector. 

 

You need the following parts:

 

- 84663240 harness extension 

- 84670050 harness Y-cable

- 84056018 7-pin/4-pin trailer hitch receptacle 

 

You unplug the connector from the bumper trailer hitch receptacle and plug it into The y-cable and insert the other end of the y-cable into the bumper trailer hitch receptacle. The third end of the y-cable plugs into the harness extension and the harness extension plugs into the trailer hitch receptacle that goes into the bed. There’s a plastic cover you remove from inside the bed and press the trailer hitch receptacle into. 

[Rick_]

On 9/6/2024 at 2:11 PM, tonto340 said:

If you don't want to go through GM for the parts you can also shop etrailer.com. They have the hitch, wiring and video instructions online.

The 7 pin connector in the bed has a 4 pin trailer connector integral with it.  The camera connections remain with the external 7 pin connector on the bumper.  At least that's the way my 2024 LTZ is rigged with the 5th wheel package from the factory.

[Ry Guy]

On 10/28/2023 at 11:45 PM, Agargano98 said:

Straight edge across the bed mount holes, measuring forward, and measuring multiple times.  Hopefuly when i get the bed back on tomorrow its good.  Should be fine as the factory covers are oversize to the hitch.

What size holes need to be drilled in the bed for the puck covers? Are they the same size for the gooseneck puck and the 5th wheel picks? Or are those different? 

[Agargano98]

They are different, don't remember exactly what size offhand.  And the 4 puck holes are oval, so I double drilled with hole saws and used a small cut off wheel to cut out the middle.  I just used the caps to get the hole sizes.

[Ry Guy]

Of course they had to make the holes oval. Circular would have been too easy

Edited October 29, 2024 by Ry Guy

[Suregrip391]

Does anyone know if there is room on the frame to mount a 5th wheel rail kit to a truck that already has the prep package? To use the prep package I need to use the Demco 6333 adapter to fit my Andersen hitch. That adapter is about 2” tall. I am pulling a 5th wheel designed for a 1/2 ton, typically a lower truck, and with the height of a 2500, and then the height of the Demco adapter it may be too high for my use. The rails that you just bolt down with frame brackets are only 1” tall. Just curious if anyone knew……I guess I could try 1-2” drop shackles but will that void a warranty? 

 

 

[Ry Guy]

I don't think it's going to work. I just went through installing the OEM puck system on my truck this weekend, and there likely isn't enough space (front to back, not side to side) between the 5th wheel pucks and the center gooseneck puck for the rails to fit between them. The no-drill style under-bed brackets probably won't line up with the holes in the frame either, so you would probably need to drill into the frame to finagle something.

 

What about swapping out the Andersen to one of their gooseneck mounted hitches? I know that the standard one is taller than the rail version, but they also make a lowered flatbed version that is lower profile.

[Suregrip391]

I was eyeing up the lowered flatbed version but they told me that it would be too low and my trailer would make contact with bedrails. I’m thinking it may work with the ball in the highest position. That is always an option for me as well if yep they will let me buy one and return it if it’s too low. My 5th wheel is an Escape 5.0TA designed for a 1/2 ton but I wanted a 2500 and seeing what I need to do to make it work. Thanks for the info! 
ohh, the height of my Andersen rail mount version and the use of the Demco 6333 adapter should be about the same height as the Andersen gooseneck ball hitch. So yeah, the lowered flatbed version may be worth a try with the ball in the most upright position. 

[Ry Guy]

Finished up my installation this past weekend. I went to a dealership and took some measurements from a similar truck with the puck system installed.

 

Here are the measurements I used for the holes:

 

 

Here's how the holes turned out:

 

 

Pretty much spot on.

 

The gooseneck hole is a little too big for the OEM cover. I used a 4 inch hole saw. Probably 3.75" would have been better. I also only cut circles for the 5th wheel pucks so far (those I cut 3.5 inch holes). I am going to try using the Ford style covers. I have an extra set from my F350. I like those a lot better than the GM covers. The GM covers seem like they would get dislodged pretty easily. Plus you have to cut notches into two sides of the holes for covers to lock into. Otherwise the will be too big and won't sit in the holes nicely.

Edited November 12, 2024 by Ry Guy

[djinva]

So I found a factory GM Puck system and used the above measurements and I am very happy with the install. I appreciate everyone who posted, it really made the job easier.