Fifth wheel hitch support assembly

A fifth wheel mounting assembly for mounting a fifth wheel hitch plate to a vehicle frame assembly including a first frame member and a second frame member, the fifth wheel mounting assembly comprising:

• a first support member adapted to couple to the first frame member of the vehicle frame assembly;
• a second support member adapted to couple to the second frame member of the vehicle frame assembly;
• and
• a support assembly comprising:
• a first portion slidably engaging the first support member and adjustable along a length of the first support member, the first portion including an upwardly-opening recess;
• a first mounting member coupled to the first portion and configured to pivotably support the fifth wheel hitch plate;
• a second portion slidably engaging the second support member and adjustable along a length of the second support member, the second portion including an upwardly-opening recess;
• a second mounting member coupled to the second portion and configured to pivotably support the fifth wheel hitch plate;
• and
• a center portion having a first end received within the upwardly-opening recess of the first portion and a second end received within the upwardly-opening recess of the second portion, wherein the first mounting member is outwardly-horizontally spaced from the first end of the center portion and the second mounting member is outwardly-horizontally spaced from the second end of the center portion.

A method for mounting a fifth wheel mounting assembly to a vehicle frame assembly that includes a first frame member and a second frame member, the method comprising:

• providing a first support member;
• coupling the first support member to the first frame member of the vehicle frame assembly;
• providing a second support member;
• coupling the second support member to the second frame member of the vehicle frame assembly;
• providing a support assembly that includes a first portion that slidably engages the first support member and is adjustable along a length of the first support member and includes a a first recess, the first portion having the first recess being an upwardly-opening recess, a second portion that slidably engages the second support member and is adjustable along a length of the second support member and includes a second recess, and a center portion having a first end and a second end;
• coupling a first mounting member to the first portion, the first mounting member configured to pivotably support a fifth wheel hitch plate;
• coupling a second mounting member to the second portion, the second mounting member configured to pivotably support the fifth wheel hitch plate;
• coupling the center portion of the support assembly with the first portion of the support assembly by positioning the first end of the center portion within the first recess subsequent to the first mounting member being coupled to the first portion;
• and
• coupling the center portion of the support assembly with the second portion of the support assembly by positioning the second end of the center portion within the second recess subsequent to the second mounting member being coupled to the second portion.