Odd 5th wheel prep

[DerSha McP]

Hello everyone,
I purchased a 2021 F-250 Diesel a few months ago so my wife and I can finally start doing the travel trailer thing we've been thinking about for years. We plan to rent trailers for now to try out different makes/models and sizes. We're really looking forward to our new adventures.
My question is about the "5th wheel" package that is already on my truck, it seems odd and I've taken it to a local truck shop who installs these packages as well as the local dealer and neither have seen this setup before. So I'm hoping someone here can help solve the mystery and provide a recommendation on whether I can use what is there or I need to invest in a whole new package.
The attached pictures show the 6 bolts in my bed, that includes two in the middle rather than just one. If you look closely, you. can see marks outlining a bracket going left to right that would incorporate all three bolts for each set. The other pictures show the bracket bolted to the frame and just a small piece of metal holding the center bolts. There is no bracket going across the bed as I think there would ordinarily be.
Anyway, I hope someone may recognize this pattern and will tell me how I can use it or change it out.
Thanks everyone.

 

[gwill1010]

Regarding..
"My question is about the "5th wheel" package that is already on my truck"

I think there are places you can plug in your vin and get your build sheet or window sticker. I'm pretty sure the factory 5th wheel package is the puck system with gooseneck ball option. Not sure what you've got, but it doesn't look factory.

 

[Gamma]

Regarding..
"My question is about the "5th wheel" package that is already on my truck"

I think there are places you can plug in your vin and get your build sheet or window sticker. I'm pretty sure the factory 5th wheel package is the puck system with gooseneck ball option. Not sure what you've got, but it doesn't look factory.

Now that is some aftermarket thing and it doesn't look very beefy. I would get the factory one. You can order them from Ford or e-trailer or probably even Amazon at this point. Couple of electrical plugs and a half a dozen bolts and you lift the body off and install it.

 

[DerSha McP]

Now that is some aftermarket thing and it doesn't look very beefy. I would get the factory one. You can order them from Ford or e-trailer or probably even Amazon at this point. Couple of electrical plugs and a half a dozen bolts and you lift the body off and install it.

Thank you gwill1010 and Gamma, I agree it's aftermarket and I should switch out for one that's more robust. I just hope the bolt holes line up so I won't need to drill more holes. I'll have to do some homework on that. Thanks again!

 

[Gamma]

The only holes you need to drill are in the bed where the pucks show. If I remember correctly they provided a template. The underbed hitch also ties the frame together for extra strength, all the frame holes already exist. They give you flush rubber plugs to put in when not using the 5th wheel. It’s a nice setup, I installed one in my truck. FYI, you will need a 5th wheel hitch that fits the ford puck system so hopefully you have not purchased a hitch yet. Also, ford will tell you to replace the bed bolts with new ones as they are stretch torque. Spray the threads from underneath with rustbuster for a couple days before you start. I won’t say my opinion either way but I did replace them. You will need a special socket to get the bed bolts out, I got mine at amazon. I also added a 2nd trailer power socket inside the bed. E trailer sells the kit with a m/f plug on the far end so it inserts between the connector and the existing connector so that they both work. I think REESE may be the oem supplier to ford on the puck hitch.

 

[DerSha McP]

The only holes you need to drill are in the bed where the pucks show. If I remember correctly they provided a template. The underbed hitch also ties the frame together for extra strength, all the frame holes already exist. They give you flush rubber plugs to put in when not using the 5th wheel. It’s a nice setup, I installed one in my truck. FYI, you will need a 5th wheel hitch that fits the ford puck system so hopefully you have not purchased a hitch yet. Also, ford will tell you to replace the bed bolts with new ones as they are stretch torque. Spray the threads from underneath with rustbuster for a couple days before you start. I won’t say my opinion either way but I did replace them. You will need a special socket to get the bed bolts out, I got mine at amazon. I also added a 2nd trailer power socket inside the bed. E trailer sells the kit with a m/f plug on the far end so it inserts between the connector and the existing connector so that they both work. I think REESE may be the oem supplier to ford on the puck hitch.

Thanks for the info.