So it looks like I will shortly be the owner of a 5th wheel style 19'
scamp trailer.
Since it is an 8 hour one way drive, I wanted to be sure that I had a hitch system ready to go before I left home, which is MI. After considering several options, I ordered a hitch from the
Scamp factory.
It was $495 and shipping ran another $100+ so I am just about at $600 for the parts from the factory.
But here is the problem. My truck (a 2008 F250 SD with the diesel) already has an underbed gooseneck hitch. The hardware for the gooseneck hitch is in the way of the rail system for the
scamp hitch. Not to mention that any shop refuses to install it as per the scamp instructions.
So after a lot of research, I am now having the under the bed hitch removed and replaced with the scamp hitch, which happens to include a Reese 30035 universal rail kit. Then if I remove the Scamp ball hitch from the rails, I can substitute it with a gooseneck insert and be able to pull either kind of trailer. The gooseneck insert from Curt
CURT 5th Wheel Rail Bent Plate Gooseneck - By Curt Mfg is regularly about $250 but $135 at that source.
For anyone in a similar position, a much better overall price can be accomplished by buying the following
Pro Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Rails and Installation Kit - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs Pro Series Fifth Wheel PS30130
This is a complete rail kit with a "real" 5th wheel hitch for <$400. I believe it has a cross member that is virtually identical to the scamp unit and will just need a 2" ball added to it, available virtually anywhere. Then if one converts the trailer to a true kingpin coupling, you already have all the needed hardware.