Are there any pros and cons of mounting a fifth wheel hitch centered directly over the rear axle vs. a few inches forward or a few inches to the rear?

In looking at the mounting instructions for several manufacturers, the hitches seem to be located all over the place. What is best?

 

The hitch should be located a few inches IN FRONT of the rear axle -

Think about this - you want to distribute the weight between both axles; if you put the hitch over the rear axle, no weight is transferred to the front axle;
if you put it behind the rear axle, it's like levering the front of the truck up!

Front is where it belongs, by whatever amount the mfg states.

Hope this helps.

Rene

 

No hard and fast rules to play by really, but what I have found for best weight distribution, whether GN or 5th wheel, is 3 - 4 " ahead of the rear axle centerline. If you have a slider hitch with three positions, just make sure that the middle one is 3 - 4" ahead, and that leaves you open to plenty of options.

I do a lot of 5th wheel moves from truck to truck for people who are switching tow units, and when I don't have the MFG specs, this is the measurement that I default to.

Hopefully others chime in with opinions on this as well.

happy Hauling

 

The centerline on my hitch is 1.5 inches behind the axle center. The truck still sits just a tad high in the rear with the 5er hooked up.
The Reese instructions stated it to be forward of the axle, but the previous owner's holes in the frame would not allow me to install it there. Seems fine to me.
I have'nt been on the scales yet, so I don't know the weight, I can say though it's not even close to what my 11' slide in camper was

 

I have an RBW Lil'Rocker. The manufacturer has printed a manual for the installation. It states for Dodge the pin is to be centered above the axle. For Ford and Chevy it is to be two inches in front of the axle. The best bet is to find the hitch you like and want then install it according to the manufacturer's recommendations. You can usually find a website that will give you all the info you want.
Tom

 

The Dodge CTD runs real heavy on the front axle- there's only about 300 lbs leeway before you hit maximum front axle weight rating.

That's why a lot of 5er hitch mfgs recommend for a Dodge to mount the hitch directly above, or just 1 in. ahead of the rear axle. Prevents transferring too much weight to the front axle.

Why don't some of you guys with a 3-4 in. forward pin setting report back on your front and rear axle weights with your 5er onboard?

 

My Reese 15000 is mounted about 1" infront of center of rear axle. Weights are as follows:

Truck empty :

Front Axle 4380#
Rear Axle 3060#

With 5th wheel :

Front Axle 4440#
Rear Axle 5020#
Trailer Axles 7860#

Total weight 17320#

Weight difference on front axle in truck weight as scales were done on 2 consecutive days and due to fuel difference rather than weight transfer to front axle.

Trailer is a 1993 Cardinal 33' 5th wheel rear kit tanks near center of trailer dual axle with most water tanks empty. Aprox 1/3 water in fresh water tank, holding tanks empty.

 

So, if weight distribution isn't the answer to fifth wheel placement question, it must be something to do with handling and/or a strength issue?

Why can't the hitch be placed a couple of inches behind the axle center, on a short bed truck, to gain more cab clearance and maybe eliminate a slider?

 

If you mount the hitch pin behind the axel, you can setup a condition of oscillating between the trailer and the steering. For best stability you should mount it in front of the axel.

Edwin

 

The whole idea of hitch placement is weight distribution for stability and axle loading. The farther back behind the axle center you go the more like a tag along the truck will react to the extra weight. Front axle 5020lbs (5200lbs), Rear axle 6080 (6100lbs) and Trailer 9860 (12,000lbs)= 20,860lbs (23,300lbs)- 3" ahead of center of axle on hitch. The truck is a single wheel not a dually and this is what is allowed on my truck according to the tires and government not Dodge (Michelin TRX A/T 235/80/R16E- 3042lbs per tire at 80PSI). The rear axle has the same rating as a dually minus the extra 2 tires (4X3042=12164lbs) on the Dodge. And yes my truck is commercially plated to allow for the weights given even with my RV set up (Northern Lite Camper on 24' flatdeck gooseneck) and 32,000lb Holland hitch. PK