Hello everyone,I wasn't really sure where to post this question...hope it reaches the proper audience :)I am looking at installing a 5th wheel hitch on a MDT cab and chassis truck. Currently I have 72" from the backside of the truck cab to the center of the rear axle. I am trying to determine if I have adequate room to install a sleeper to the truck???The truck is 20k GVW ....the rear axle is a 12k pound axle .... the front is 8k pound.....and the pin weight of my Teton 5th wheel is approx. 5k pounds. I was planning to install the hitch centered over the rear axle....but also curious if the truck is capable of allowing me to install the hitch slightly behind the rear axle if that will indeed give me the additional room necessary for adding a sleeper???Any feedback is appreciatedThanks,Phil

Hitch location should always be directly over the axle. Look at any class 6,7, or 8 truck and thats where they are placed.

On my F350 long bed, it is 55" from the back of the cab to the center of the hitch pin leaving plenty of clearance for tight turns.

Ram long bed 2500 56.5" to center from back of cab.Why not just measure the width of your 5th wheel and add a couple inches to that? Most are either 8' 0r 8'6" wide. Add 2-3" and that would give you enough clearance for a 90* turn.

I always liked to go center of rear axle then move it 1 to 2" forward so front axle shares a little bit of the weight. no poppin wheelies :)

I am thinking what you need is a little more than center of pin to corner of the trailer. Priority would be to be pin directly over axle however.In the real world how often does one get into a jack knife position? For the sake of stress on the trailer running gear it is a situation I avoid.

What is the distance from back of cab to center of hitch?

meleavingsoon
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
Yes, the Teton's are the 102" wide body and fairly square. I'm going to make sure I leave plenty of room :) ....don't want a booboo
2oldman
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2017
transamz9 wrote:
I believe I would want a little more with a 102" wide body. Don't the Tetons have a pretty squared off nose?
Mine's 98". I don't know about Tetons.

When first setting up my truck I made a scale model.
transamz9
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
2oldman wrote:
I have 52", back of storage box (behind cab) to king pin. Freightliner MDT. I wouldn't want less.
I believe I would want a little more with a 102" wide body. Don't the Tetons have a pretty squared off nose?
2oldman
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2017
I have 52", back of storage box (behind cab) to king pin. Freightliner MDT. I wouldn't want less.
meleavingsoon
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
Thanks guys!....that was the info I was looking for.
DirtyOil
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
donn0128 wrote:
Hitch location should always be directly over the axle. Look at any class 6,7, or 8 truck and thats where they are placed.

Not always the case:
transamz9
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
I ran my 2500 with the hitch 6" behind the axle with zero ill effects. It removed around 200-250lbs off of my front axle. I would say that 6-8" behind wouldn't cause you any issues. With that said you still will only be able to get by with maybe a 30" sleeper.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2017
I am thinking what you need is a little more than center of pin to corner of the trailer. Priority would be to be pin directly over axle however.

In the real world how often does one get into a jack knife position? For the sake of stress on the trailer running gear it is a situation I avoid.
lc0338
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
I always liked to go center of rear axle then move it 1 to 2" forward so front axle shares a little bit of the weight. no poppin wheelies :)
goducks10
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
Ram long bed 2500 56.5" to center from back of cab.
Why not just measure the width of your 5th wheel and add a couple inches to that? Most are either 8' 0r 8'6" wide. Add 2-3" and that would give you enough clearance for a 90* turn.