Is The Placement OF GM's OEM Puck System Supposed To Sit Behind The Axle

Question

Question:

I just bought a 2024 Chevy 2500 HD and noticed the fifth wheel prep puck system is not directly over the rear axle but slightly behind. is this because the hitches set more forward or is the factory placement wrong? I have not purchased my hitch yet so not sure of the weight distribution. I pull a 41 ft Coulmbus fifth wheel.

asked by: Jerry C

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Expert Reply:

Hey Jerry,

GM moved the placement of their puck systems starting with 2020 models so you are correct that the pucks would have the hitch not sit directly over the axle. GM did the math and made sure that this placement wouldn't adversely affect your towing ability so it's totally fine as is. Moving the weight towards the front of the truck helps distribute the weight between the the front and rear axles, whereas being behind the rear axle and closer to the tailgate will place more weight on the rear axle.

For the trailer hitch I recommend going with a B&W Companion as they are the best when it comes to reliability and ride quality. We have a few different options based on weight and bed length. If you have a short bed you'll want a slider base to give yourself some adjustability to make tight turns without having the nose of the trailer hitch the truck cab.

6-3/4' Bed:
20,000lb Capacity # BWRVK3775

8' Bed:
20,000lb Capacity # BWRVK3710
25,000lb Capacity # BWRVK3715

expert reply by: Kevin C

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B&W Companion OEM Pivot Arm Placement
(click to enlarge)

Jerry

4/8/2024

Thats what im saying. My hitch placement is slightly behind the axle not in front of it

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Mike

9/28/2024

Kevin isn’t the standard box on a 2500hd gmc 82.25 inches. I am trying to decide if I need the slider. On my previous vehicle 2011 Denali the bed was 79.4 inches long and with the hitch centered over the axle I would hit the back of the truck. Needed about two more inches. So if gmc pick system a little back of center and the box length is 82.25 I would gain about 4 inches which would provide clearance. Am I missing something. Thanks

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Kevin C.

9/30/2024

@Mike You would also need to check how the specific hitch sits in the bed. Even if the pucks aren't center the hitch could be designed to have the jaws still sit over the center of the hitch. With an OEM Companion the jaws of the hitch would either sit 2" behind the axle or directly over the axle depending on how you install the pivot arms. I'm going to attach a picture above showing how the pivot arms can be installed. You can measure to see if you'll clear the cab when making a 90 degree turn though. You'll need to tape a plumb bob to the outermost corner of the nose of the trailer and then measure from the plumb bob to the center of the king pin on the pin box. You can then take the measurement and set your tape measure over the center of the axle. If the tape measure touches the cab while turning it then you know the trailer will as well. If you're off by 2" installing the pivot arms so that they're angled towards the tailgate can give you 2" of extra clearance.

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Mike M.

9/30/2024

@KevinC Do the instructions show how to install the pivot arm towards the tailgate and is that ok to do. I pickup my truck today

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Kevin C.

9/30/2024

@MikeM The OEM bases unfortunately only have the two sets of mounting holes instead of extra ones that the Turnoverball bases have to adjust the pivot arms out more. With a GM system you'd only be able to mount the pivot arms so that the jaws were either directly over the axle or 2" in behind of the axle (towards the tailgate). You'd want to copy the left side of the diagram to mount your pivot arms for more clearance. It's fine to this but you'd be leveraging more weight behind the axle and would likely see a bit more sag. If the sag becomes a problem then that's when you could look into some suspension enhancement like jounce springs or air bags to help level the tow vehicle back out and cushion your suspension.

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See All (7) Replies to Mike ∨

Answer 1

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 2

I checked out your 2016 Solitude 321RL and since it has a tapered nose and an extended pin box you wouldn't need a slider hitch installed in the bed of your 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. You could use the B and W Companion Fixed Hitch for GM rail kit…

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Answer 3

Hey Jeff! The MORryde GooseTech 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box #MR97MV comes with a Demco eZ-Latch. The best option for a lock is the InfiniteRule Lock for Cast Demco eZ-Latch Trailer Couplers #IR66FR. This is designed to for a standard coupler but…

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Answer 4

Hey Robert, congrats on the new 5th wheel trailer! The MORryde GooseTech 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box like item #MR47MV has not been approved for use by Lippert. The only gooseneck style pin box that has are the Reese Goose Boxes like item #RP85FR.…

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Answer 5

Hey Wendell, thanks for the information! Since you have a Lippert 122093 hub for a 5,200 lbs axle you'll need the Bearing Kit item #BK3-300. This kit includes inner and outer bearings, races, a grease seal, and a replacement cotter pin. This kit…

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Answer 6

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 7

Hey Steven, you can't go wrong with the B and W Companion hitch part #BWRVK3710. It fits directly to the OEM pucks of your 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 and will give you what most consider to be the best hitch around due to how well it's made, how…

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Answer 8

Hey Daniel, I actually would disagree with your sales guy on whether you need a sliding hitch or not. The short bed of your 2025 Chevy Silverado 3500 is actually one of the longest "short" beds made so that adds turning clearance. Your…

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Answer 9

The Rhinobox was definitely an unpopular choice for manufacturers to go with so swapping it out with the MORryde Cushioned 5th Wheel Pin Box for 18K to 21K Trailers w/ Lippert Rhino #MR55QR would definitely give you a major improvement in ride…

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Answer 10

Yes, the puck system used on the 2016-2019 Chevy/GMC trucks is different than the pucks used on the 2020 and newer trucks. So you would need a 5th wheel like the B&W Companion #BWRVK3710 for your 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 with an 8' Bed. If you…

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Answer 11

There is only one option to replace a Lippert, which is now Curt, Turning Point. You will want the Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box item #GY48GR. As far as make and model goes. 5th wheel trailer pin boxes are not model…

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Answer 12

I reached out to my contact over at B&W and got some answers for you. They confirmed that the king pin will sit behind the rear axle just based on how Chevy set up the system in the bed. When using the fixed model part #BWRVK3710 it will be…

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Is The Placement OF GM's OEM Puck System Supposed To Sit Behind The Axle

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