Hitch placement

[RClark]

When installing the new hitches in a new Ram 2500 I have options of where to place the kingpin location. Over the axle, 2" in front of the axle or 2 or 4" being the axle. Where should it go and why?

 

[Larry Willard]

I would want it in front of rear wheels to transfer a little weight to front axle.

 

[HHhuntitall]

^^...agreed. Placing it directly over the top of the axle gives your load more leverage to pull upwards on your front end when going uphill or accelerating, but placing it forward 2-3" allows weight to transfer to the front of the truck, distributing the weight for cornering, uphill pulling, and load distribution of weight to both axles, instead of carrying the full weight on the rear.

 

[SnoKing]

These new trucks are so heavy on the front axle, it really does not matter. With long beds put it centered to 2" in front. With short beds the fixed hitches people are putting them behind the axle.

Benefit of behind to better backing. Snoking

 

[KATOOM]

Long beds will always place the hitch so the pin is 2" in front of the axle. Short beds dont always have that luxury. I mounted my hitch so the pin is about 1" behind the axle for maximum clearance. Still tows fine but not the most suggested position.

 

[MLee]

You say NEW HITCH, what does the instructions say? or maybe there isn't any. You have good advice here. Mine is mounting/setting only. no deviation. 1-2" in front.

 

[ewcmr2]

2" fore or aft doesn't really make a difference in a long wheelbase truck. 3000lb pin weight, 155" wheelbase = 40lb added/removed from front axle.

 

[surfbeetle]

Over the axle should be fine. It would be an issue if you had a short bed, but if you have a long bed it's not an issue as far as clearance from the trailer hitting the cab. Mine is a shorter than short (due to my sleeper cab) bed and would hit the cab so I have both a slider hitch as well as a sidewinder hitch. I can do more than a 90 degree turn in the hitch is back and with the sidewinder. Your handling will be effected the further back you have the hitch. But the load probably be better distributed two inches further forward. The issue is that if you install it two inches forward for your current trailer, then it may be set wrong for your next trailer which is what happened to me when I got a new trailer. Good Luck