Forum Discussion

Tconragan's avatar
Tconragan
Explorer
Oct 22, 2018

5th Wheel hitch installation

Hello. I am attempting to install a 5th wheel hitch in my 1992 Ford F250 long bed. I have purchased a used 15K Valley hitch with rails and a universal mounting kit with L brackets for the frame. I am having a hard time getting information of exactly where to place/mount the hitch. Some info says 52 inches behind truck cab to center of kingpin. I have also seen 1.5 inches ahead of center of axle for the center of the king pin. The 1.5 puts my brackets in a hard place because of shock mounts etc.I am really just hoping someone can give me some exact placement or measurements to go by.
Thank you
  • transamz9's avatar
    transamz9
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2018
    Measure the hitch legs and head. Some of the legs are offset I believe. May be that you install the rails center over the axle and the actual hitch itself will give the offset.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Oct 23, 2018
    Industry standard when you had to mount your own hitch was 2” forward of center of rear axle.
  • Tconragan's avatar
    Tconragan
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2018
    I appreciate the advice. I am not too sure valley is still in business because I cannot find any contact info for customer service anywhere. It looks like I will just try to find a spot where I can avoid any rivets etc in front of the axle. It is my first adventure with my trailer I guess...
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Oct 23, 2018
    I would order a set of model specific mounting brackets for you truck. In many cases they use holes that are already in the frame. Most kits can be used with anybody's rails.

    B.O.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Oct 23, 2018
    BB_TX wrote:
    enblethen wrote:
    I would call Valley to get the correct installation instructions for your hitch and truck.

    X2. Different manufacturers have different mounting info ranging from over the axle to some length in front of the axle.


    X3!
    May even be able to google it what you need is the instructions for your rails. It is important that they mate up correctly with the underside of the bed.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Oct 23, 2018
    enblethen wrote:
    I would call Valley to get the correct installation instructions for your hitch and truck.


    This...often times the hitch maker will be able to tell you just where to mount for easiest install on your exact truck. In any case, over axle center, or 1-2"s ahead of axle center is fine, which ever is easiest fit.

    Welcome to the forum!!

    Jerry
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Oct 22, 2018
    enblethen wrote:
    I would call Valley to get the correct installation instructions for your hitch and truck.

    X2. Different manufacturers have different mounting info ranging from over the axle to some length in front of the axle.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Oct 22, 2018
    I would call Valley to get the correct installation instructions for your hitch and truck.
  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2018
    The hitch should be located so the center of the pin, when towing, is dead center over the axle. An inch, or even two, in either direction will not do any real harm.

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