fifth wheel hitch location

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Just traded my old reliable 24' travel trailer for a fifth wheel RV. Having never towed a 5W before, where does the king pin sit in relation to the rear axel? The dealer has it 2" aft of center. The truck squats 5" with the RV hitched. I installed air bags to level the truck, but have noticed other Dodge Rams are level without extra suspension help. A call to the Reese Hitch Co. tech said it should not be rear of the axel and reccommended it be moved 2 to 3 inches forward of the axel. Would moving the hitch forward help that much?

96 2500 SLT Club, 3. 54 RE, long bed, A. T. w/ TST trans upgrade kit, Suncoast converter and mystery sw, TST 230hp/605ftlb, Westach gauges, Helwig air bags, and Reese 15K hitch. RV is a 99 Alpenlite 32RL, 32 ft with a hitch weight of 2,400 lbs, GWR is 13,900 lbs.

 

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I just finished install my Valley hitch this weekend. Mine is installed 3" forward of the centerline as recomended by the manafacture. I had to modify my hitch in order to miss the bed mounting cross braces. I bet your dealer had the same dilema. It makes a lot of difference!

 

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My 3 LWB trucks had the pin located 2-3 inches in front of the axle. My '83 chev CC dually 4x4 actually rode better with the pin about 1 inch in front. IMHO , the swb trucks need to be about 1. 5-2 inches in front. But never to the rear of the axle.

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99QC,5sp,3. 54,stock,24,500 miles-11-25-99--EX phord owner
15-16. 5 MPG hwy ,14-15 city , 10-12 with 4,000lb TT

 

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After installing many hitches at a fiends shop, the firs rule is: NEVER INSTALL BEHIND THE REAR AXLE CENTERLINE. At worst, stability goes to HE(dbl hocky pucks) and accidents do happen. The pin/ball should be 2-5" in front of the axle. Prefered location varies with weight of trailer and available space (frame/bed rails/boxes/ hitch size/etc. ). Usuall we tried to go 3" and this is the Owner of the Shop spec. His insurance is paid up and to this day he has not had a claim form installs. Balls have seperated; rails have broke but not his workmanship. I dont remember his distance from tailgate but I think (repeat THINK) its about 48" to center of pin/ball. My 5er is about 1 3/4" forward of center due to SWB. Wish I had a unit to tow and test stability, but thats for next year. Gotothaveits coming first.

DENIAL statement: This is off the top of my head and not to be accepted as gosple truth. All figures are GUESSTEMENTS and should be checked with an installing dealer of 5/7th wheel hitches for exact figures.

\\BF//

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"Drifty" y2k SLT (L. E. ) = Superior; Like Truck! (Limited Edition) 2500QC/SWB/5sp/3. 54LSD/SLT/Driftwood/Ultimate bed spray/camper @ tow pkgs/fogs as DRL's/truck trunk bx/3rd Brake flasher/hr mtr/alternator isolator (150w diode)/storage/tinting/CB/fuzzbustr/brake ctrl/25. 5k hitch/etc.

Not Stroking, BUT, RAMming it Home! \\BF//

 

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When I traded from a Chevy to a Dodge I called Dodge They said"center of the rear axle to two inches forward" I sat mine at two inches fwd handles the 10'500 hitchhiker great

 

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By mounting aft of center you are carrying all the weight on the rear wheels. By mounting in front of center by 2-3" you will divide the weight between the front and back, thus giving you a better ride and leveling out the load. I think your installer got his figures mixed up.

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98. 5 SLT 2500QC, ISB, Uprate, 5-spd, 3. 55 lsd, Short Bed, Brown/Gray, Unicover Safari, Trailer Tow.

Wilderness 24C Camp trailer

 

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By mounting aft of center you are carrying all the weight on the rear wheels. By mounting in front of center by 2-3" you will divide the weight between the front and back, thus giving you a better ride and leveling out the load. I think your installer got his figures mixed up.

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98. 5 SLT 2500QC, ISB, Uprate, 5-spd, 3. 55 lsd, Short Bed, Brown/Gray, Unicover Safari, Trailer Tow.

Wilderness 24C Camp trailer

 

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Installed my Pullrite as far forward of axle as the brackets/cab clearance would allow. Ended up about 1" forward of axle. Tows nice. No sway or fishtail when passing big rigs or Furds (or Toyuta's) pulling trailers.

Yes, moving the hitch forward will reduce bed compression some but maybe not enough to eliminate the need for added suspension help (2400# kingpin weight is a lot!)

More importantly, anything aft of axle is not so good due to instability. The small moment arm allows side loads on trailer to push front of truck in opposite direction, result: sway or fishtail. Get dealer to move it forward.

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'00 2500, 4x4, QC, Cummins ETC/6spd, 3. 54, Camper, Trailer, SLT, 4ABS, BD E-brake, Pullrite 20. 5K 5th hitch, Tekonsha Envoy-SX Tbrake, Flame Red/Silver, Agate

 

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I pull a 12000lb 5th wheel with a short bed, hitch is directly above axle, best I could with as trailer does not have an extended pin, I do have the Reese Slider tho. Pulls great but you do have to be aware!!! I do notice that on rough or rolley roads my truck bounces more than I would like, sometimes I think the rear tires come off the pavement, maybe my new Rancho 9000's will help... No way would I accept hitch point behind axle... my 2cents

 

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Started installing my Turnoverball hitch today. They have the c/line of the hitch ball 48 3/8 inches from the tailgate end of the truck bed on long bed Dodges from 1994 on. This will place the Ball approx. 5 inches in front of axle center line. Part of the distance is to clear the underbed portion of the hitch and frame x-member. I would never,never put c/l of hitch aft of the axle.

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98. 5 3500 QC No Mods yet but another week of reading the posts and I'll be forced to do something.

 

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Having installed several 5'ver hitches over last few years, (trying to find perfect truck),the rule of thumb is:

Long bed: 52" from back of cab to Pin!

Short bed: 44" from back of cab to Pin!

Have never had any problems

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99 QC/LB, ISB w/auto,4x4,3. 54, Contico tool box, and CP Industries pivoting 5th wheel.