5th wheel hitch location vs. weight transfer

[Goostoff]

Yesterday while getting my truck ready for the season i was putting my hitch back in the truck when I noticed that the gooseneck ball in the truck was quite a bit farther forward than what my hitch was. I jumpped out and eyeballed across the bed of the truck to see that my pin is almost directly centered over the axle. I do have a problem with the truck bouncing and jumping when I am trying to back up hill into a campsite.

Moving the rails is not an option at this point. I do however have 2" of adjustment in my hitch to go forward. I'm just kinda curious as to how much weight transfer I am going to gain when I move them?

[Goostoff]

Well I moved it yesterday. It only took about 10 minutes. I was hoping to get more weight over the front axle that was the reason for it. Thanks for the responses. We'll see what happens.

[JIMNLIN]

Hitch installers and dealers around here locate the pin/ball zero over the axle for short beds and generally up to 4" forward or where ever the operator requests.

I use zero over the trucks rear axle on all of my short bed trucks. Never had any issues.

I have heard of commercial haulers asking for 6" forward for a pin/ball location on 3500/4500 cabd and chassis trucks.

Depending on hitch loads moving 2" forward makes little if any difference on the rear axle but may add 20-60 lbs on the trucks front axle. All depending on trucks wheelbase/distance from the rear axle to the trucks front spring hanger/other considerations. In other words one size won't fit all in total lbs.

[byronlj]

Right over the axle is fine. I installed my hitch to specifications and it ended up right over the axle. Been towing with it since 07 and it works just great.
Dave

[phillyg]

The gooseneck ball (removed) and the replacement regular Reese hitch are centered roughly 1" ahead of the axle center in my short bed F350.

[Cummins12V98]

Industry "STANDARD" is 2" forward of center of rear axle. If you have a long bed truck just place the head as full forward as possible. I have 5,500# pin weight my B&W RVK3600 is full forward and I add less than 150# to the front axle.

[newman_fulltime]

Its suppose to be 2" s in front of the axle

[Goostoff]

You are correct about the shocks. I replace the back ones last year and I actually have new fronts on order from rockauto.com. Supposed to be here on Tuesday. I kinda figured that 2" wouldnt make much difference but I figured it cant hurt to try. I have air tools so it will only take a few minutes.

[csamayfield55x]

2 inches in the bed won't make much of a difference. Won't hurt to try it but I don't think that is your issue. Sounds to me like you need new shocks in the truck

Chris