Guides
What is a Puck System?
Factory-installed towing prep that makes fifth wheel and gooseneck setup stupid easy.
The Short Answer
A puck system is a set of four mounting points built into your truck bed from the factory. Instead of drilling holes and bolting in rails, you just drop a compatible hitch into the pucks and you're ready to tow.
How to Identify a Puck System
Check your truck bed
Look in your truck bed. If you have a puck system, you'll see four round covers (or open holes) arranged in a rectangle pattern. They're usually located in the front half of the bed, roughly between the wheel wells.
What to Look For:
- • Four round holes or covers — About 4 inches in diameter, arranged in a rectangle
- • Location — Front half of the bed, between the wheel wells
- • Window sticker terms — "Fifth Wheel Prep Package," "Gooseneck/Fifth Wheel Prep," or "Factory Puck System"
Which Trucks Have Puck Systems?
Heavy-duty trucks from the Big 3
Most heavy-duty trucks from Ford, GM, and Ram offer a factory puck system as an option. It's usually part of a towing package or prep package.
Ford
F-250, F-350, F-450 Super Duty trucks with the "Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Hitch Prep Package"
Chevrolet/GMC
Silverado/Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD with the "Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package"
Ram
Ram 2500 and 3500 with the "Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Group"
Puck System Advantages
Why it's the easiest setup
No Drilling
Mounting points are already there
Quick Install
Most hitches in/out in minutes
Clean Bed
Remove hitch, get full bed back
Factory Strength
Engineered by the manufacturer
What Hitches Work With Pucks?
Three options
Drop-In Fifth Wheel Hitches
These plug directly into your pucks. Brands like B&W Companion, CURT Q-Series, and Reese Goose Box are popular choices. This is the easiest option if you're towing a fifth wheel trailer.
Gooseneck Ball Adapters
These convert your pucks to a gooseneck ball. Great if you want a flush-mount ball that sits below the bed floor when not in use. You'll need a gooseneck-compatible pin box on your fifth wheel trailer to use this option.
Puck-to-Rail Adapters
These give you standard rails on top of your pucks, opening up compatibility with any rail-mount fifth wheel hitch. More options, but adds some height and complexity.
Don't Have Pucks?
No problem
If your truck doesn't have the factory puck system, you have two main options:
Install Aftermarket Rails
Universal mounting rails bolt into your truck bed and work with rail-mount hitches.
Get a Complete Kit
Some kits include rails and a hitch together for a simpler purchase.
Find Your Hitch
Know what's in your truck bed? Use our finder to see compatible hitches for your specific setup.
Find Hitches for My Truck