5th wheel with a short bed

[MUDKICKR]

ok, quick question, im converting my ex cab long bed into a crew cab short bed, and then installing a 5th wheel hitch, how should i mount the hitch? with the pin over the axle? before the axle? what is safe? or should i just make it a long bed?

 

[jonathan]

in my ram its set up so the pin is right above the axle it was installed by a pro

 

[93f250idi]

on my dads shortbed chevy its right over the axle.

 

[Diesel_brad]

2" in front of the axle.

W a short bed it is a good idea to have a sliding 5th wheel so you can manuver and not crush your cab/window like this idiot (typical dodge owner) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YajlvudkW_Y

 

[LCAM-01XA]

IIRC ideally you want it 2" before the axle, the problem you run into with a short bed is that with the pin so far forward you may not be able to jacknife the trailer while trying to fit into a tight spot - its front corners may hit the rear wall of the cab. They make sliding hitches for that purpose, you tow with them in the forward position for nice stability, but when you have to park you unlock the hitch and slide it back some, this gives you the extra distance between the pin and the cab rear wall to jacknife the trailer if you need it to.

 

[jonathan]

2" in front of the axle.

W a short bed it is a good idea to have a sliding 5th wheel so you can manuver and not crush your cab/window like this idiot (typical dodge owner) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YajlvudkW_Y

what are you trying to say check my sig.........

 

[Diesel_brad]

what are you trying to say check my sig.........

You bought the dodge , not me

 

[MUDKICKR]

sliding hitch not an option, not putting that kind of money into it, so right over the axle will work? i dont want to hit cab but i want it safe

 

[LCAM-01XA]

How wide is the trailer across the front wall? Half of that is the minimum distance between the cab wall and the kingpin slot in the 5th wheel table... See where that puts you with respect to the rear axle - I personally would just ignore that and go with the standard 2" before the axle and then just make it a point to not jacknife the trailer while parking it.

 

[pafixitman]

I have always known it as 2" forward of rear axle.
I also believe that an owner needs to take some responsibility. If you feel you can operate the rig with a short bed, go for it. I can tell you that I have been in some situations where I thought my long bed would not work! But I also feel having the truck so long and slow to turn contributed to those situations.

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

2" forward as per installation instructions when I installed my rail system on Goldie.

 

[87crewdually]

Like most stated 2" forward of center of rear axle. This puts some needed weight on the front axle for safe operation and handling. Anything else will comprimise performance. In a controlled enviroment, hook up to the trailer and see if your comfortable with the amount of swing and learn the limits before crushing your cab corner. A slider hitch would be the best way to solve it, sometimes you can not put a price on doing things right.

 

[jonathan]

You bought the dodge , not me

no i got it from my mom 4 months ago when she passed.

 

[Diesel_brad]

no i got it from my mom 4 months ago when she passed.

Sorry to hear that

 

[jonathan]

Sorry to hear that

you didnt know so its ok this time .....lol