I am building a flatbed for the truck in my sig and would like to incorporate the B&W GN hitch that is currently installed. The hitch will sit on top of the long sills. I plan to build new side plates and bolt them to the long sills as well as the frame.
Now my question: After pulling the bed and measuring the current B&W configuration the center of the ball is 6.5" ahead of the center of the axle. Every GN I have installed in the past was never any further than 3" ahead of center of the axle. I would like to gain the extra clearance at the tail of the bed. I know there are several of you who build beds and set trucks up regularly, what are your thoughts? Thanks.

 

I have seen them anywhere from 8" in front of center to a few inches behind the axle (SWB welding rig). I set mine at 4" (in front of) when I built my bed. Click on the small pic at post 22 on the link below and you can see a slide-show of how I built mine. I used the B&W 1500 set up designed for flat beds and boxed it in with some 1/2" plate as it was elevated 1 1/2" to allow the rumber decking.

When placing your GN ball keep in mind it's height or your trailer could be running up-hill. Both of my trailers have adjustable tongues so the height was not a concern. Check out the hatch at the back of the deck, I have all of my trailer / truck connection box's and plug in it. It also gives me access to the LP if needed..

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...t213006p2.html

EDIT:

Be sure to keep your lights wired as they come off the truck as the circuits needs to be balanced if you add LED lights you will need to add the resisters to prevent getting a lamp out ding

 

Thanks for the reply Colo_River_Ram, I appreciate the advice. That is a really nice bed you built. I will shoot for 3" ahead of the axle since you have seen them all over the place as well. That hitch you used looks like it would be easier to build with than the standard one. But with a little thinking I hope to make it work. I am going to pass on the LEDS on this bed, but I will remember to take care of the wiring. I bought the steel today and at a $0.95 a pound it is going to eat up my flatbed budget in a hurry.