Towing a fifth wheel trailer is a great way to bring a spacious living space on your travels. But what if you want the versatility of a pickup truck bed while also using a fifth wheel hitch? Can you put a fifth wheel hitch on a truck with a tonneau cover?
What factors determine if a fifth wheel hitch is compatible with a tonneau cover?
The compatibility between a fifth wheel hitch and a tonneau cover depends on a few key factors:
What type of tonneau cover is installed?
There are different types of tonneau covers, including:
- Roll-up covers: These soft covers roll up and fasten over the truck bed. When open, they stay low profile.
- Folding covers: Folding covers are made of panels that accordion fold. Some fold toward the cab while others fold toward the tailgate.
- Retractable covers: Retractable tonneau covers roll up into a canister at the front of the bed. They fully open to provide full bed access.
- Hinged covers: These hard covers are made of panels that flip open for access. The panels rest upright above the bed walls.
- Pop-up covers: Pop-up tonneau covers lift vertically on gas struts. When open, they create a tall wall above the truck bed.
The type of cover affects compatibility. For example, hard covers that sit high above the bed may interfere with a fifth wheel hitch’s operation. Low profile soft covers may be a better fit.
How is the tonneau cover installed?
Some tonneau covers mount inside the bed rail while others mount on top. Covers that sit inside the rail have a lower profile which is better for fifth wheel hitch clearance. But covers mounted on the rail may be removable to allow hitch access.
The cover’s attachment at the front bed wall is also important. Some use a bracket that may limit hitch movement. Low profile designs that tuck under the front bed wall provide the most clearance.
Is there enough clearance between the cover and hitch?
With the tonneau cover open, there needs to be adequate clearance between it and the fifth wheel hitch. Soft covers that fold close to the bed walls often work. Hard covers that sit high when open may interfere.
Measuring the cover’s height compared to the height of the fifth wheel hitch is a good way to assess potential interference issues before installing both.
What types of tonneau covers typically work with fifth wheel hitches?
While every truck and cover installation is unique, some types of covers have designs that provide better compatibility with fifth wheel hitches:
Roll-up tonneau covers
Roll-up covers made of vinyl or other soft material roll up and fasten at the cab end of the bed. This style has a low profile so it avoids interfering with hitches. The cover rolls up fully for complete access to the bed.
Retractable tonneau covers
Retractable covers roll up into a canister at the front of the bed. With the cover fully retracted, the entire bed is open for hitch operation. The canister’s low profile design tucks under the front bed wall to maximize clearance.
Low profile folding covers
Folding covers with panels that fold close to the bed walls leave plenty of room for a fifth wheel hitch. The panels can fold open for complete access or just fold enough to allow hitch operation as needed.
Rail-mounted hinged covers
Hinged hard covers mounted to the top of the bed rails can be propped open vertically. As long as the panels are tall enough, they stay clear of the hitch when opened. Just check the cover’s height compared to the hitch height.
What truck bed features allow a fifth wheel hitch with a tonneau cover?
To maximize compatibility with a tonneau cover, look for these helpful truck bed features when fifth wheel towing:
Removeable bed rails
Some truck beds have removable upper bed rails. Taking off the front sections allows the tonneau cover to be installed lower, increasing clearance between the cover and hitch.
Bed rail notch
A notch cut in the front bed rails provides a low profile place to mount the tonneau cover. This allows the cover to tuck under the bed wall rather than sitting above it.
Gooseneck / 5th wheel prep package
Many truck models offer a prep package for gooseneck or fifth wheel hitches. It often includes the above bed rail notch and attachment points needed for the hitch.
Higher bed walls
Trucks with deeper bed walls provide more clearance between the open tonneau cover and the top of the fifth wheel hitch.
What are the best practices for installing a fifth wheel hitch with a tonneau cover?
If your truck’s bed design and tonneau cover type allow using both, follow these tips for a smooth installation:
Install hitch first
It’s wise to install the fifth wheel hitch system before the tonneau cover. This allows you to account for the hitch location and range of motion needed when positioning the cover.
Check clearance
With the hitch installed and tonneau cover opened, check for adequate clearance between the two. Measure any potential interference points.
Adjust cover position
If needed, adjust where the cover sits. For example, move rail-mounted covers to the rear section of the bed for maximum clearance.
Partially open cover
See if you can partially fold or roll up the cover to allow hitch operation when needed while keeping the bed partially covered.
Use removable rail sections
To create a lower mounting point, remove small front sections of the bed rails before installing a rail-mounted cover.
Consider bed rail modifications
Adding a notch or cut-out section to the front bed wall may improve the clearance between the hitch and cover.
What are some example truck and tonneau cover pairings that work with fifth wheel hitches?
With the right combination of truck bed design, tonneau cover style, and proper installation, you can find working combinations of fifth wheel hitches and tonneau covers. Some examples include:
Ford F-150 and BakFlip G2 Folding Cover
This soft folding cover mounts inside the bed rail. It folds up just past the rear axle for full hitch access. The low profile tucks under the front bed wall.
Ram 1500 and Roll-N-Lock Retractable Cover
This vinyl retractable cover rolls up into a canister near the cab. The canister fits flush under the bed rail notch to avoid interfering with the hitch.
Chevy Silverado and UnderCover Flex Hinged Cover
The removable cover panels on this cover fold vertically against the bed walls. It mounts on adjustable rails to customize the clearance with the fifth wheel hitch.
GMC Sierra and Lund Genesis Roll Up Cover
This roll-up vinyl cover fits a Sierra with the fifth wheel/gooseneck prep package. The soft cover stays tucked close to the bed floor when open.
Toyota Tundra and Rugged Liner Hard Folding Cover
Folding panels on this hard cover create a tall wall when fully opened. The panels extend above a fifth wheel hitch plate installed in the Tundra bed.
Can any tonneau cover be made to work with a fifth wheel hitch?
While some tonneau covers are designed to accommodate fifth wheel hitches, not every cover can be easily made compatible. There are a few situations where using both is very difficult or impossible:
Tonneau covers with front crossbars
Some hard covers have a full crossbeam that sits above the front bed wall. This will interfere with fifth wheel hitch movement and operation.
Covers that mount completely on top of the bed rails
If a cover sits fully on the bed rail with no under-rail clearance, it will be positioned too high to provide the needed hitch-to-cover clearance.
Short bed pickup trucks
In trucks with shorter beds, there is limited space to begin with between the cab and fifth wheel hitch. Finding a tonneau cover that fits is very difficult.
Pop-up style covers
The vertically stored canister and tall wall created by these covers is not compatible with unobstructed fifth wheel hitch operation.
In summary, can you put a fifth wheel hitch on a truck with a tonneau cover?
The short answer is yes, it is possible to have a fifth wheel hitch on a pickup truck that also has a tonneau cover installed. However, the right combination of truck bed design, tonneau cover style, and proper installation is key to ensuring clearance and compatibility between the two.
Low profile, rail-mounted covers that fold near the bed walls or roll up fully provide the best chance for successfully using both a fifth wheel hitch and tonneau cover on your truck. Carefully checking measurements and test fitting before permanently installing each component is important to confirm they will work well together.
While not all tonneau covers allow access for a fifth wheel hitch, there are definitely options that do. With close attention to the details of your truck bed and cover, you can find a solution that provides the versatility of an open bed as needed while still keeping cargo covered and secure.