Placement of Fifth Wheel Hitch In Truck Bed Relative to Rear Truck Axle

Question:

where should the hitch be installed in respect to the axlein front of or behind the axle and by how many inches? thank you.

asked by: Dean D

Expert Reply:

The correct placement of the fifth wheel hitch will vary from vehicle to vehicle. It can also vary according to the type of install kit being used. Typically, the hitch will be installed so that the trailer king pin will be directly over or slightly forward of the center line of the rear truck axle. You never want the king pin rearward of the truck axle, because the pin weight of the trailer can actually make the front end of the truck too light. This can negatively affect braking and steering performance.

If you would care to respond with the year, make and model of your truck, as well as which hitch and install kit you were interested in, I would be happy to provide more specific install guidelines.

expert reply by: Mike L

Mark L.

3/19/2020

How about on a c4500 GMC 4 door can I put the fifthwheel hitch behind the axle and if so how fare behind the axle can i go

Chris R.

3/20/2020

There isn't a set max length that you could put the hitch behind the rear axle on your C4500. This is typically dictated by the particular base rail kit that you use (along with the attachment points on the truck's frame rails). Ideally you'll be a bit in front or right on top of it. I really don't recommend having the hitch behind the axle if you can help it. If you can tell me what model year your truck is, or what rail kit you plan on using, I will be happy to try and dig up some more details.

Mark L.

3/20/2020

Well I am trying to gain as much room as possible between the fifth wheel and the back of my cab like they do the semi RV haulers they put their fifth wheel hitch in the back of the frame not just slightly behind the axle

Chris R.

3/20/2020

I definitely understand trying to gain cab clearance for those sharper turns. The safest route I can recommend for this would be to either use a sliding 5th wheel hitch or replacing the pin box on the trailer with a pivoting model like the Reese Sidewinder, which actually shifts the pivot point 22" back from the hitch. I added links for our selection of both below.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-Fifth_Wheel_Hitch-sf-Sliding_Fifth_Wheel.aspx

dept-pg-Fifth_Wheel_King_Pin-pc-Provides_Turning_Clearance.aspx

Jim B.

3/2/2024

@MarkL Thanks for the comment. I'm trying to figure out what I want to install in my vehicle and where to install at this point. Your site has been helpful. Thanks again.

Jim B.

3/2/2024

2019 Ford F-150 6.5 bed pickup

Mike L.

3/3/2024

@JimB Which bracket/rail kit are you planning on using? The Curt # C38ZV would place center of the king pin 2.006 inches forward of the axle centerline. Here's the install instructions: https://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=C38ZV The Reese # RP56034-53 places the kingpin center 1 inch forward of the rear axle centerline. https://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=RP56034-53

Gw J.

5/2/2024

2024 NISSAN FROINTIER 4X4 SV LONGBED (6FT) TOWING AN ESCAPE 5.0TA. I JUST PURCHASED AN A16/SLIDER HITCH WITH UNIVERSAL RAIL KIT. THE AXLE IS APPROX 32" (CENTERLINE) FROM CAB.

Mike L.

5/2/2024

@GwJ Typically, a mid-sized truck like the Frontier isn't designed to tow a 5th wheel trailer, Unfortunately we don't have any info on rail placement nor do any of the manufacturers we get our 5th wheel rail kits from. You could use a universal kit like # RP30035, and place the rails so that the 5th wheel king pin sits directly over or just forward of the rear truck axle centerline, but we don't offer any specific instructions or advice for that application.

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