Underbed hitch mounting system

Abstract

An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.

Having thus described the invention, we claim: 
     
         1 . A hitch mounting system comprising:
 a pair of tubular members having cross-sectional shapes a substantial portion of which is defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section;   a central member attached to and between said pair of tubular members, said central member having a socket;   a first pair of solid members attached to a first one of said pair of tubular members, said first pair solid members configured to attach to a frame of a vehicle; and   a second pair of solid members attached to a second one of said pair of tubular members, said second pair solid members configured to attach to a frame of a vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein said central member is permanently attached to said pair of tubular members as a one-piece assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein said first of said pair of tubular member has a first transverse length and said second of said pair tubular members has a second transverse length, said first transverse length different than said second transverse length. 
     
     
         4 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein said second pair of solid members are asymmetrical with said first pair of solid members. 
     
     
         5 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein said second pair of solid members are of a different configuration than said first pair of solid members. 
     
     
         6 . A hitch mounting system comprising:
 a rail configured to attach to a frame of a vehicle, wherein said rail includes a tubular member and first and second solid members fixedly attached to each side of said tubular member whereby said first solid member has a first length in a first direction and said second solid member has a second length in said first direction whereby said first length is greater than said second length; and   a mid rail connected to said rail, wherein said mid rail includes a socket.   
     
     
         7 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 6 , wherein said tubular member has a cross-sectional shape a substantial portion of which is defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section. 
     
     
         8 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 6 , further comprising a pair of receiving members included with said rail, wherein said receiving members are formed with said rail. 
     
     
         9 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 8 , wherein said receiving members are attached with said rail. 
     
     
         10 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 8 , wherein said receiving members are configured to engage a safety chain tie down member. 
     
     
         11 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 6 , wherein said socket is configured to accept a hitch ball. 
     
     
         12 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 6 , further comprising a second rail spaced from said rail wherein said mid rail is positioned between and attached to said second rail and said rail. 
     
     
         13 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 12 , wherein said second rail is configured to attach to the frame of the vehicle, whereby said second rail includes a second tubular member and third and fourth solid members fixedly attached to each side of said second tubular member. 
     
     
         14 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 13 , wherein said third solid member has a third length in said first direction and said fourth solid member has a fourth length in said first direction whereby said third length is greater than said fourth length. 
     
     
         15 . A hitch mounting system comprising:
 a pair of tubular members each having a cross-sectional shape a substantial portion of which is defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section;   a mid rail attached to each of and between said pair of tubular members spacing said pair of tubular members apart, said mid rail having a socket capable of accepting a gooseneck hitch ball; and   a pair of receiving members attached with each of said pair of tubular members, said receiving members configured to engage a leg of a fifth wheel hitch.   
     
     
         16 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 15 , wherein at least a pair of the receiving members are configured to accept a safety chain tie down. 
     
     
         17 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 15  further comprising a plurality of fasteners attaching said mid rail between said pair of tubular members. 
     
     
         18 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 15 , wherein the pair of tubular members are configured to attached with a frame of a vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The hitch mounting system of  claim 18 , further comprising an attachment bracket attached with the pair of tubular members, the attachment bracket capable of attaching the pair of tubular members to the frame of the vehicle.