5ver Hitch Mount Question

[JLovell]

When mounting a 5ver hitch, is it centered over the center of rear axles? or middle of third member? I have a old slide in type hitch, unknown manufacturer.

 

[kbarlow]

JLovell



I was just going to ask a similar question. The hitch manufacturer is suggesting that they may have to install the hitch just slightly aft of the rear axle. My personal feeling is to install about an inch forward of the axle to keep a positive pressure on the front axle.



Can any of you technical people out there tell me the difference of controllability that would be seen by installing 1 inch ahead versus 2 inches aft of the axle.



Truck weight is 7500 lbs. , trailer is 12500 lbs.



Thanks Ken

 

[Casey Balvert]

For a long box, 2-4 inches forward of the axle center line. NEVER install the a hitch that will put your kingpin aft of the center line. For a shortbox I recommend getting a slider hitch. FWIW



Casey

 

[TowPro]

I see you have an 01, I hear there is holes already drilled for the brackets in the frame? I bring home an 02 tonight and have to do this job all over again.



At any rate, when I put on my 98 I noticed there really was one location it would work, move it forward or back and thing were in the way. And Yes, its just in front of the rear axle.



I will be making messurements tonight before I drop off my 98 just so I hit the correct location when I drill the 2002.



I have mine installed on top of the bed liner (using spacers between the hitch rail and the steel bed). I will be swaping my old bedliner with the holes already drilled in it with the new one that comes with the new truck.



This will be the 3rd Dodge this hitch has been installed on!

Originally posted by JLovell

When mounting a 5ver hitch, is it centered over the center of rear axles? or middle of third member? I have a old slide in type hitch, unknown manufacturer.

 

[klenger]

I had a short box before I got the truck I have now. The camper dealer installed the hitch, and I didn't check it's location till some time after they installed it. I think it was 2 - 4" behind the rear axle. The truck seemed to porpose more than I thougt it should when towing. At the scale, the camper lifted 40 lbs off from the front axle, so it wasn't all that much. On my LWB truck that I have now, I installed it 2" ahead of the axle, and it works very well. I can't tell if the difference is because of the LWB or the hitch being better located, or (most likely) both.



My recomendation would be to try to locate the hitch right over the axle on a SWB truck and get a slider hitch. Also, if you can, do the hitch install yourself. You will do a better job than the dealer, and it's not all that hard. Just measure 3 times and check again.

 

[JLovell]

5ver hitch mount question MORE

Thanks for all the input. Based on what I heard here, and info I read in the TDR magazines, I mounted the hitch directly over the axels. We'll see how it goes!

 

[rweis]

My 02 LB, pin is just forward of the axle, cut the liner out to make the mount directly to the bed. Handles really well, but only a 8k 5er. There are several threads to make SURE if you need spacers to solidly mount DO SO.



There were some post from state trooper, EMT, and tow service TDR menbers remarking about hitches moving in severe manuvering situations that needed spacers and did not have them sheared the hitch right out of the bed.