5th wheel hitch position in the bed

Thank you, thank you, I just needed that.

KKELLER14K wrote:
The B & W patriot 18k is what I have and the head adjustments are numerous. The rails that the base is mounted to are limited to the bed supports of the truck you have and varies from truck to truck. I so happen to have a long bed. So can anyone explain why 2 inches forward is the optimal spot? Saying that it should be there, ok, but why should it be there? So regardless of where the base is mounted I can move that head all over the place. I can see maybe why mounting it just forward of the centerline would be a good thing vs. aft of center for stability geometrically... Now I also see why a slider would be necessary for a short bed for cab clearance in tight spots but when one of those are pulled up close to the cab I'm guessing your still shooting for the 2 inches ahead of the rear axle centerline? I'm learning here and it's starting to make sense. I can see some other brands are limited to fine tuning the Kingpin position so where the bed rails are mounted... that is what you get. Thanks everyone for your info...

Here's a real world opinion. I have a B&W Patriot on rails. I have a LB 2500. I've adjusted the hitch to be as far forward and rearward as possible. I notice zero difference in towing or weight transfer. I suppose someone could crunch some numbers and come up with some weight amount that gets moved around, but after going through the scales my front has been consistently 4800-4900lbs for the last 4 seasons when towing regardless of where the pin is located.
As far as clearance goes, well since I have LB and a standard 8'W 5er I don't worry about.

Kennedycamper wrote:
You give the fifth wheel no leverage on the rear axle if the pin is in front of the axle. So you have more stability.

Correct . In general the idea is to not reduce the weight on the front axle by putting excess weight on the rear axle.
You do not want a see / saw effect by placing excess weight on the rear and thus raising the front.
By placing the hitch 2" forward you reduce the likelihood of reducing front axle weight or lifting the front wheels off the ground!

You give the fifth wheel no leverage on the rear axle if the pin is in front of the axle. So you have more stability.

It is not the axle weight I'm concerned with I have a dually. It is a mute point. I said it before I will say it again.. STABILITY??!! Is that it?....why is 2 inches forward the best place to have the Kingpin of the trailer regardless of where the base is mounted?

Question ....

WHY are you SO concerned with transferring some weight to front axle via placement of where king pin will be :H

Are you so close on being OVERWEIGHT that you are trying to get some weight off rear axle?

Like I posted previously.....
Very little weight will get transferred to front axle with a 5th wheel hitch.

The B & W patriot 18k is what I have and the head adjustments are numerous. The rails that the base is mounted to are limited to the bed supports of the truck you have and varies from truck to truck. I so happen to have a long bed. So can anyone explain why 2 inches forward is the optimal spot? Saying that it should be there, ok, but why should it be there? So regardless of where the base is mounted I can move that head all over the place. I can see maybe why mounting it just forward of the centerline would be a good thing vs. aft of center for stability geometrically... Now I also see why a slider would be necessary for a short bed for cab clearance in tight spots but when one of those are pulled up close to the cab I'm guessing your still shooting for the 2 inches ahead of the rear axle centerline? I'm learning here and it's starting to make sense. I can see some other brands are limited to fine tuning the Kingpin position so where the bed rails are mounted... that is what you get. Thanks everyone for your info...

Dave H M wrote:

newman fulltimer wrote:
as stated before correct positioning is 2"s infront of the axle for best towing

On a simple hitch like a Reece, or I guess any one that would mount on the rails in the bed, it will turn out that way since the frame mounts are not adjustable.:h

why is it so hard you set the hieght for your 6" of clearance and the head 2"s infront of the axles,what is,so hard about this:h

I have never heard of the hitch placement determined by cab clearance. My 6.5' bed required me to get a slider hitch. And in tow mode, the pin is 2" forward from rear axle.

newman fulltimer wrote:
as stated before correct positioning is 2"s infront of the axle for best towing

On a simple hitch like a Reece, or I guess any one that would mount on the rails in the bed, it will turn out that way since the frame mounts are not adjustable.:h