Does Fifth Wheel Hitch King Pin have to Center Over Rear Axle of Truck

Updated 07/04/2018 | Published 07/02/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Under Bed - 13,000 lbs

(711)

$2349.00

Underbed Rail and Installation Kit for Demco UMS 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Trailer Hitches

(2)

$609.95

Question:

Do the fifty wheel plate have to be over the center of the axle or can it be closer to tailgate

asked by: Robert

Helpful Expert Reply:

The center of the king pin of a fift wheel trailer needs to be centered over the rear axle. Since fifth wheel trailers are pretty heavy if you had the pin weight behind the rear axle you'd unload the front axle which would make braking and handling dangerous.

I believe you have a 2005 Ford F-150 with a 5-1/2 foot bed. For bed this short there's one slider hitch that can slide far enough back to give you the needed turning clearance and it's the Demco hijacker auto slide part # DM8550041. You'll want a custom install rail kit that fits your truck as well. For that you'd need the part # DM8551001.

expert reply by: Jameson C