B W Hitch question.

CampingN.C. wrote:
I do have a long bed so I'll move it up before I go get it. I was just curious as the PO hand a long bed as well but had it all the way to the rear. I can't imagine having any clearance issues with a long bed at all right ?

I have a long bed too. My hitch doesn't have any adjustment forward or back but my pin location is just about directly over the axle, maybe slightly forward. I can get super tight turns on my 5er and not come close to the cab. I'd move the B&W mounts to the forward most position.

Does the dealer have models of T/H's similar to what you ordered on the lot? If so you could use that for reference height measurements. Ask them to set one parallel to the ground then measure from the bottom of the trailer to the ground then from the bottom of the pin box to the ground. On your truck measure to the top of the bed rails and see how that compares to the 5er height to determine if it will clear the bed.

To set the hitch height take the difference between the 5er height and the pin box height. On your truck, lay a board across the bed rails and measure down to the hitch head. Does that measurement just about equal the 5er? Try to make any necessary vertical adjustments on the hitch but you might also have to adjust the pin box. My hitch is in the bottom bolt hole location and everything sets pretty well.

KJ

MFL wrote:

CampingN.C. wrote:
I do have a long bed so I'll move it up before I go get it. I was just curious as the PO hand a long bed as well but had it all the way to the rear. I can't imagine having any clearance issues with a long bed at all right ?

Should be no issue FW to cab with 8' bed, but too far forward, on some models, may cause issue with tailgate lowering, and clearance between tailgate and FW, when hitching/unhitching.

Jerry

That's the reason I have mine all the way back. With it set that way I have about 2" between the tailgate (when it's down) and the part of the 5er it would contact. I could move it forward to be closer to center over the rear axle but then I'd have to stop and close my tailgate before I hooked all the way up.

Ours is set full forward and at its highest setting which leaves us with 6" of rail clearance.

CampingN.C. wrote:
I do have a long bed so I'll move it up before I go get it. I was just curious as the PO hand a long bed as well but had it all the way to the rear. I can't imagine having any clearance issues with a long bed at all right ?

Should be no issue FW to cab with 8' bed, but too far forward, on some models, may cause issue with tailgate lowering, and clearance between tailgate and FW, when hitching/unhitching.

Jerry

I do have a long bed so I'll move it up before I go get it. I was just curious as the PO hand a long bed as well but had it all the way to the rear. I can't imagine having any clearance issues with a long bed at all right ?

When I installed my Companion, I wanted it as far forward and as high as it would go. I had plenty of clearance to allow my gate to be down while hitching and I could not hit my truck at a full lock turn, either right or left. I also needed the bed clearance since we do go off-road a bit. It did put me nose-high, but not enough to worry about too much and, had I known then what I know now, I'd've flipped the axles as soon as it was out of warranty to alleviate the issue. According to B&W, the full-forward position puts the center of the pin right at 1.75" ahead of the axle centerline for =my= truck; YMMV.

Lyle

On of the secrets why a fifth wheel handles better than a bumper hitch trailer is the pivot point is very near if not directly over the rear axle of the TV.

This does require the operator to understand and remember that the fifth wheel trailer axles will track inside the TV axles.

It is best to have the hitch pin center directly over the axle center, to about 2"s ahead of axle center, depending on cab clearance. The arms are easily adjusted, so you may want to keep them rear set, until you see if you have clearance issues. You don't say what truck you have, but if an 8' bed, I'd just start at 2"s ahead of axle center.

Jerry

Go on etrailer.com web site & they have a video that will show you how it works.