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
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Oct 23, 2018
    Personally, I much prefer having my king pin ahead of the axle center. I have my B&W Companion's side plates set as far forward as they will go, which gives me about 1.5 or 1.75" ahead of the axle. I know that my GN ball is centered on the axle, which I don't really like; I'd like =that= 1-2" ahead of the axle, too.

    Lyle
  • Tconragan's avatar
    Tconragan
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2018
    ol Bombero-JC wrote:
    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.


    X-3 -

    ALL the mfgrs have Tech lines. Why settle for an answer on an internet forum - when you can go directly to "The Source"?

    (IMO) Even if posters ARE correct - and something goes wrong, you will be scratching your head wondering *IF* you got the right info -or- did YOU do something wrong, etc.

    When installing my PR SuperGlide (never had done one before)...had a Question. Called Tech line, found them to be very helpful - prompt info, answered my Q - completed the installation. No problems in the 12 years since..:C

    ~


    I love the source idea. Valley went out of business in 2010...
  • ol_Bombero-JC's avatar
    ol_Bombero-JC
    Explorer
    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.


    X-3 -

    ALL the mfgrs have Tech lines. Why settle for an answer on an internet forum - when you can go directly to "The Source"?

    (IMO) Even if posters ARE correct - and something goes wrong, you will be scratching your head wondering *IF* you got the right info -or- did YOU do something wrong, etc.

    When installing my PR SuperGlide (never had done one before)...had a Question. Called Tech line, found them to be very helpful - prompt info, answered my Q - completed the installation. No problems in the 12 years since..:C

    ~
  • Tconragan's avatar
    Tconragan
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2018
    enblethen wrote:
    Maybe this will help!***Link Removed***

    Or maybe this
    ***Link Removed***


    Thank you!!! That looks exactly like my hitch and rails. They are interesting because the bolt holes are in line with the hitch tabs (center) instead of on the edges of the rails. I very much appreciate your help. Your google must be better than mine :D
  • Tconragan's avatar
    Tconragan
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2018
    Cummins12V98 wrote:
    Industry standard when you had to mount your own hitch was 2” forward of center of rear axle.


    Thats good to know. The 52 inch behind cab would put me about 4 inches in front of axle. It makes the trailer closer to the bumper too. Somewhere I found that I should have at least 4 inches behind rear bumper and trailer. That seems closer than I would like.
  • Tconragan's avatar
    Tconragan
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2018
    I didnt check for a part number. It did come with rails. I do not know what it came off of. The guy I bought it from got a truck that had a hitch, so he didnt need it. It seems to be like any reese ive seen. I am really trying to find any info on correct placement in the bed. Etrailer had a answer to someone else that 52 inches behind the truck cab was correct. It seems odd that for Ford making my body style from 91-97, there isnt more info available. I cant find one set of instructions for my 1992.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Oct 23, 2018
    Do you have the actual Valley part number?
    Do you have the rails?
    What kind of rig did it come out of?

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