Herbert Pollard
Boise, ID
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Joined: 04/08/2008
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I just had a 5th wheel hitch installed by a local hitch shop. They located the hitch so that the pin is about 8 inches behind the center of the rear axle which is about 10 inches behind where Reese Hitches recommends. The truck is an '01 Dodge Cummins quad-cab, LWB,4WD with tow package and 8800 lb GVW, the trailer is a 34.5 Hitchhiker that weighs about 14 K loaded, hitch weight about 2500 lbs. The hitch guy says the location is OK, I think it might be a problem because it is not what the manufacturer or any one else says. Does anyone have any experience with a 5th wheel hitch location behind the rear axle?
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Jan_Newt
Concord, NC
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Joined: 03/08/2008
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The hitch guy doesn't have to drive it.
I don't have any experience with that arrangement but it sounds really iffy.
Jan & Newt, Concord, NC
USCG-Ret in '94
Will be retired, retired real soon now and full timing it
2007 Keystone Raptor 3600
2001 Ford F-550
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USAFBILL
Alabama
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Joined: 09/20/2002
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The pin should be directly over the axle according to my Reese instructions. Might call Reese technical support and run it by the "experts".
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hankpage
Point Pleasant, NJ
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Joined: 11/23/2001
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The no-drill mounting kit from Reese for my '04.5 Dodge Quad-cab long bed puts the pin about 2 inches in front of the axle. Your location does not sound correct. I would contact Reese Tech Support and see what they say.
http://www.reeseprod.com/
Hank & Lynn
07 Cougar 290RKS 5th wheel
04.5 Dodge 2500 HO CTD,QC,2wd,LWB,Prodigy, Ride-Rite 
REAL TRUCKS RATTLE
Our getaway vehicle
'07 Cougar mods.
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RUGER-RUGER
Canada
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Joined: 07/07/2007
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If the hitch is that far behind the rear axle you may as well pull it off the bumper. The hitch should be mounted over the center of the rear axle. It will pull way better if mounted correctly.
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grampachet
West Coast
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Joined: 12/14/2006
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My directions said 2" in front of rear axle too.
2004 F-250 KR,CC,SB,SRW,4x4,V-10,3.73
2008 Montana 3000RK
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TheAmFam
Lansing, KS USA
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Joined: 01/15/2005
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If the hitch is behind the center line of the rear axle, it takes weight off the front tires and creates a steering control problem. The hitch should always be at least over centerline of the rear axle or a little in front of it. Remember, the farther in front of centerline, the more load you put on the front axle and the closer the trailer is to the cab of of the truck which creates problems when making sharp turns and the front of the trailer hits the cab of the tow vehicle.
Joe and Pat
98 K 2500
97 27' New Horizons
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Scarface56
Appleton, Wisconsin
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Joined: 01/31/2007
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It is installed improperly.
Just Me & DW
2008 GMC 3500 SLT DRW Diesel
Pioneer AVIC D3 GPS Nav/Stereo/backup camera
2007 276RLS Cougar 5th wheel by Keystone
Scooter Buddy 125
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pknoerzer
St. John, Indiana
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Joined: 08/08/2004
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They might have been using measurements for a short bed - if it is measured from the rear. That will not be stabile that far back.
2006 Keystone Cougar 245, 2004 Dodge 2500 4x4 Quad-cab, Cummins
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Bill1374
Saratoga Springs, NY
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Joined: 10/06/2000
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You are NOT going to have fun trying to tow that set up. You're installer is wrong. The hitch head belongs over or slightly in front of the axle centerline. Tell them to reinstall and do it right.
I would also suspect that your hitch weight will exceed 3000 pounds.
Bill
2000 Hitchhiker II Rio Grande
2000 Dodge 3500 dually Cummins 5 speed Edge EZ and guages
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