So hi, I'm new here, done some readin here before but need someone with some experience. I've talked to a few people including a mechanic and rv place about placing the hitch back of the centreline. Many people say you can do it but I am unsure.It's a 25 foot '77 vanguard round 5000lbs and my new truck is a 91 chev dually 1 ton. There is a flat bed on the dually. With two I beams running atop the frame. And the hitch will be welded on top. I assume, I installed the last one but I'm taking this to a welding shop this time, the bed is extended about a foot past the fram. If I remember right from centre of rear axle to bumper was 67" or so and that means my bumper is touching my trailer. I know I want to have a few inches clearance, considering angling my corners of my flat bed as well.But I'm just curios as to experience anyone has had with bringing the hitch back of centreline 3-6" people say yes but hitch manuals say different

I deal is to have the king pin over or slightly ahead of the truck axle. Obviously that is not going to work in your case. You need to get the measurement from the kingpin to the front of your trailer. Then make the distance from the rear outside corner of your truck's bumper to the center of the truck's hitch a few inches more than that measurement. The further the king pin is behind the rear axle the more your fifth wheel will pull like a tag axle trailer. It's not going to be ideal but it will work.

I'm not sure I understand what your saying but I think with a 1T dually you won't have any issues at all with a trailer that size, no matter where the hitch is mounted.Good luck!Scott

Can you mount the hitch behind the rear axle? Yes, Should you? I wouldn't if it was me. Would I have the bed shortened? Yes I would. I have seen several that the rear wheels were close to the rear of the bed. In fact some actually mount the hitch a few inches ahead of the axle. My first question is "What is the total length of the hitch box? You can install a longer hitch box on the 5th wheel. What was the truck used for before?

4x4ord wrote:I deal is to have the king pin over or slightly ahead of the truck axle. Obviously that is not going to work in your case. You need to get the measurement from the kingpin to the front of your trailer. Then make the distance from the rear outside corner of your truck's bumper to the center of the truck's hitch a few inches more than that measurement. The further the king pin is behind the rear axle the more your fifth wheel will pull like a tag axle trailer. It's not going to be ideal but it will work.Distance from kingpin to trailer is also 67" so I assume my corners on my bed will 70-80 something lol not to sure how a tag axle trailer pulls

ScottG wrote:I'm not sure I understand what your saying but I think with a 1T dually you won't have any issues at all with a trailer that size, no matter where the hitch is mounted.Good luck!ScottWell basically everything I have been told or read when I installed my hitch on my 3/4 ton said 1-2" I front of the rear axle centreline because I want to keep my deck size. I'd like to have the hitch 3-6" back of centreline. Curious if people have done this or how it handles. Will it put extra stress on he truck. Curious about anyone's experience if they have done this.

Hitch position question or poll | Good Sam Community

S_Parker
Explorer
Jan 03, 2018
4x4ord wrote:
I deal is to have the king pin over or slightly ahead of the truck axle. Obviously that is not going to work in your case. You need to get the measurement from the kingpin to the front of your trailer. Then make the distance from the rear outside corner of your truck's bumper to the center of the truck's hitch a few inches more than that measurement. The further the king pin is behind the rear axle the more your fifth wheel will pull like a tag axle trailer.
It's not going to be ideal but it will work.

Distance from kingpin to trailer is also 67" so I assume my corners on my bed will 70-80 something lol not to sure how a tag axle trailer pulls
steveksfc
Explorer
Jan 03, 2018
Can you mount the hitch behind the rear axle? Yes, Should you? I wouldn't if it was me. Would I have the bed shortened? Yes I would. I have seen several that the rear wheels were close to the rear of the bed. In fact some actually mount the hitch a few inches ahead of the axle. My first question is "What is the total length of the hitch box? You can install a longer hitch box on the 5th wheel. What was the truck used for before?
ScottG
Nomad
Jan 03, 2018
I'm not sure I understand what your saying but I think with a 1T dually you won't have any issues at all with a trailer that size, no matter where the hitch is mounted.

Good luck!

Scott
4x4ord
Explorer III
Jan 03, 2018
I deal is to have the king pin over or slightly ahead of the truck axle. Obviously that is not going to work in your case. You need to get the measurement from the kingpin to the front of your trailer. Then make the distance from the rear outside corner of your truck's bumper to the center of the truck's hitch a few inches more than that measurement. The further the king pin is behind the rear axle the more your fifth wheel will pull like a tag axle trailer.
It's not going to be ideal but it will work.

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