hitch location in truck bed

[duchie]

Thanks for everyones help on type of hitch.

New question--have 6.5 bed. Some hitch dealers say to mount hitch directly over center line of axle. Had other and expereinced hitch people tell me with 6.5 or shorter beds they mount hitch 3 inches behind the center line of axle which increases turn and in 20 years have never had a problem or a customer complaint ??????????
Help will be much appreciated
duchie

[h20ski]

I know why no one will touch this with a 10 ft pole, but here is MHO. I have read a couple of 5th wheel installation manuals and I haven't read an option of installing a hitch 3 inchs aft of center line. Some of the issues are 1. it increase weight on the rear axle, 2. it will reduce the weight on the front axle. The bigger issue to me is the mounting hardware. I know on mine there is a bed crossmember that the front mounting rail is mounted to in the center for support. If you move your mounting rail aft 3 inches the front rail won't be able to mount to that crossmember. IMHO I would follow the mounting directions from the manufacture and buy a slider. Good Luck

[TURBS]

6.5 bed in what ?
mine was installed ahead of axle I believe. I have a 2005 chevy silverado .
I could measure If you want .
I also had a slider installed and have yet to use it . But I am sure there will be a day that I will need it .

[crocus]

Right above or slightly forward.
Never, ever behind.

[OldCoot]

I have a 2005 Silverado Ext Cab with 6.5' bed and the dealer (Tom Johnson) used the frame mount kit for the Reese 16K and it put the hitch pin about 1/2" in front of the axle. Would NEVER let them put it behind the axle for any reason. We do have the Reese Sidewinder also.

[Dave_Monica]

You have to follow the manufacturer's instructions. It's locating the brackets on the frame and the cross braces that will dictate where it has to be installed. I've installed the same hitch in 2 different trucks...it was 2" in front of the axle on one and 4" in front of the axle on the other.

Dave

[TURBS]

from the front of where the king pin would rest in the hitch to the back of the bed its 41 inches .

[duchie]

Thanks everyone for your input,seams unamious, in frt. Thanks againduchie

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by duchie

thanks everyone for your input,seams unamious, in frt. Thanks againduchie

bless you !!!!!

[B47]

Originally Posted by duchie

Thanks for everyones help on type of hitch.

New question--have 6.5 bed. Some hitch dealers say to mount hitch directly over center line of axle. Had other and expereinced hitch people tell me with 6.5 or shorter beds they mount hitch 3 inches behind the center line of axle which increases turn and in 20 years have never had a problem or a customer complaint ??????????
Help will be much appreciated
duchie

duckie - not knowing what manufacturers hitch you have, but I have a Husky 16K S 5th Wheel Hitch and the manufacturers manual states in the Installation Instructions portion of it the following " IMPORTANT: The ideal centerline location of the 5th Wheel Hitch should be positioned between 1" and 3" forward of the Center of the Rear Axle once installed in the base rails."

I am with the other posters here who say never install one behind the CL of the axle.

I would read the manufacturers manual before drilling any holes - this is just too important not to do right.

[EdJunior]

Check out this mounting guide from Curt. This should help you.

http://www.curtmfg.com/masterlibrary..._16100_INS.PDF

[Herk7769]

Although the King Pin Ahead of axle distance varies by vehicle from about 1/2 inch forward to some 3 inches forward, in every case the Pullrite hitch is king pin load ahead of axle centerline. See attached intallation instructions.

[Hoo Dad]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

bless you !!!!!

I don't care who you are that right there was funny.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Hoo Dad

I don't care who you are that right there was funny.

I was wondering when someone was going to pick up on that !