Installing a 5th wheel hitch

[Lloyd]

I have a question for all you guys towing a 5th wheel.
Do you know what your measurements are for the pin sitting over the rear end. In other words, how much fore or aft of the rear end is the pin when engaged in the hitch?

[660catman]

Centre of pin should be slightly ahead of rear axle. Slightly could mean an inch. I don’t have measurements as my hitch is out. You don’t want it behind the axle any amount.

[dagst1]

On my B&W Patriot there was a measurement in the instructions from the rear of the bed to the rail. There are 2 different measurements - one for long and one for short bed trucks. That put the kingpin over the axle when in the middle fore/ aft position. Then there are 3 positions on the hitch at 2 inch intervals for in front/over or behind the axle. The 19 GMC has the factory puck style 5th wheel prep and it puts it in about the same position.

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by 660catman

Centre of pin should be slightly ahead of rear axle. Slightly could mean an inch. I don’t have measurements as my hitch is out. You don’t want it behind the axle any amount.

Could it be just a 1/4 in. ahead of center?

Originally Posted by dagst1

On my B&W Patriot there was a measurement in the instructions from the rear of the bed to the rail. There are 2 different measurements - one for long and one for short bed trucks. That put the kingpin over the axle when in the middle fore/ aft position. Then there are 3 positions on the hitch at 2 inch intervals for in front/over or behind the axle. The 19 GMC has the factory puck style 5th wheel prep and it puts it in about the same position.

What position is it supposed to be when towing?

[dagst1]

According to B&W the location depends on your trailer and the clearance between it and the cab. The further back allows a tighter turn.

My last truck was a long bed so I had plenty of clearance and ran it all the way forward. This truck is a short bed and it is in the middle over the axle.

Now going back to the trucking industry with a sliding 5th wheel moving it forward will transfer some weight to the front axle. Now with a camper that amount would be very slight. It is more about clearance in a tight turn. You could even run it behind the axle with out any sway becouse you are still within 2" on the centerline.

What brand hitch are you working with?

[660catman]

Originally Posted by Lloyd

Could it be just a 1/4 in. ahead of center?




What position is it supposed to be when towing?

It can be directly above or slightly forward. It can not be behind for highway towing. With a slider, it can be behind for more trailer to truck clearance when parking.

[660catman]

When I bought my fifth wheel I got the dealer to install the hitch as he threw that in with the deal. Not all campers need a slider as was the case with mine. In two seasons so far I have never come close in my 2013 Sierra 2500 6.5’ box. Mine is a Reese 15k.

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by 660catman

When I bought my fifth wheel I got the dealer to install the hitch as he threw that in with the deal. Not all campers need a slider as was the case with mine. In two seasons so far I have never come close in my 2013 Sierra 2500 6.5’ box. Mine is a Reese 15k.

Mine is mounted 1/4 in. ahead of center of the axles. That is where all my hitches have been mounted. I know they don't belong behind the axle.
My hitch is a 16k Reese slider.
I was hoping for more feedback, but maybe the others aren't sure just where their hitch is mounted. A lot of times people take it for granite the dealer/installer knows what they're doing, and never give it another thought.


Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

[mark5w]

My Pullrite hitch comes with the exact dimensions for whatever truck you have. You can also get a template that lays on the bed of the truck and you can just follow it for exact positions to drill holes in bed. (This is for the Superrails that come off) Otherwise, the website has exact diagrams of where to bolt onto frame.

[Papa-T]

I’ve had a slider Reese hitch for my last four 5ers. Have used the slider one time in the last 20 years.

[Pjwarner]

On my F250, I purchased the 5th wheel kit through etrailer.com. All the bolt holes are pre drilled to mount on the frame and automatically lines everything up.