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Can the hitch be installed behind the axle?


leavingsoon

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Now that you guys have given me the brand names of hitches to consider, my next question is does it have to be installed directly over the rear axle?....or can it be installed behind the axle? I know I can't go too??? far back and take the weight off the front end, and don't want to be unsafe.

I know there has to be a math formula out there to help make this decision but I can't find one on the internet. My truck has a short wheel base and I am trying to think thru what my options are with the space.

The 2000 Freightliner FL60 truck wheelbase is 138"....front axle is 8k pounds.....rear axle is 12k pounds.....I have approx. 72" from the back of the cab to the center of the rear axle. I know I have limited space to carry anything between the front of the trailer and back of the cab, that's the reason I'm thinking if I can set the hitch back behind the axle it will allow me more choices with the remaining space.

The Teton is 24k and approx. 5k pin 

Thanks,

Phil

 

 

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Hit up Dolleytrolley here on the forum.  He has a spreadsheet that will allow you to calculate how much your weights change based on loading and pin location, etc.

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I question how much you can carry on back of your truck. My Chevy dually had 10k axle and I was close to Max with my Teton. That was with a CM hauler bed. Your truck is heavier and only 2k more axle. 

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Hi Glenn....I know I'm pretty maxed out already with just the Teton. Just trying to determine if I can get a small sleeper installed, or possibly some tool boxes. I don't really see trying to carry much additional weight when hooked to the trailer. This truck is going to be more of a work truck as opposed to towing the trailer alot. I think if we see ourselves moving around in the trailer alot in the future we will probably upgrade the truck then....get one of the big beast like you have :)

2000 American Coach Heritage 45' motorhome

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  • 2 weeks later...

On my topkick I have a trailer saver 5th wheel hitch with the pin directly over the axle, and a goose neck ball mounted to the plate about 2' back from the fifth wheel pin.  I can't give you a direct comparison as I tow different trailers on each, but I don't notice any difference in handling either way.  If I did it again I would definitely move the fifth back for more deck space.  if you are close on the weights you will have do do the math to see how much that lever affect will add weight to the rear axle and unload the front axle.  In some cases that will improve your weight distribution as many of these trucks are heavy on the front axle and light on the rear.  I know my truck rides a ton better with about 1000# in the cargo box, and better yet with the trailer hooked up.

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  • 1 month later...

    All good advice.

   The lever comment is the best help. Weigh the truck with each axle separate is step one. Know the pin weight. Then figure the lever action. Neither axle should be less than 75% of the axle weight rating. That will give you how far you can move the 5th wheel behind the axle.

    Mine is 42" back. My WB is 245" 




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Pretty simple math to figure it out. Take the distance behind the rear axle in inches x the pin weight in pounds / the wheelbase in inches = weight unloaded from front axle.

In your case, if you move the pin to 18" behind the rear axle with your 5,000 pound pin and 138" wheelbase you would have (18x5000)/138 = 652 pounds unloaded from the front axle and transferred to the rear axle.

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  • 2 months later...
On 8/26/2017 at 9:27 AM, GeorgiaHybrid said:

Pretty simple math to figure it out. Take the distance behind the rear axle in inches x the pin weight in pounds / the wheelbase in inches = weight unloaded from front axle.

In your case, if you move the pin to 18" behind the rear axle with your 5,000 pound pin and 138" wheelbase you would have (18x5000)/138 = 652 pounds unloaded from the front axle and transferred to the rear axle.

Thanks GeorgiaHybrid!....I missed seeing your post earlier. This is the exact info I was hoping to find. The old service body has just been removed from the truck and now able to see the frame rails so I am finally getting closer to installing the hitch.

Phil

 

2000 American Coach Heritage 45' motorhome

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