I got to talking to a guy about our twinsy truck's, and he asked why was my hitch so far forward. I never even noticed it before. It's about 6" forward of the axle. I have managed to hit the cab with my car trailer before, but I thought I was just stupid. Now I know why. Will it have any ill effect's on the weight distribution. Could I, or should I try to make the company that installed it do anything about it. I'm going to call them and act like someone else installed it and see what they say.

 

There was a thread on here not to long ago about this. Some say it's better to have the weight placed in front of the axle and others say it's better to have it on the axle. The B&W hitch seems to go by the first theory.

 

I didn't know it was possible to install it wrong... on my 3rd gen (03) it would only go in one place because of certain holes in the frame.

 

The only thing that makes it wrong is if it places to much load on the front axle. Weigh your truck mty and then loaded and compare. My old hitch was a thru the bed and the ball appeared to be 3" in front but it only gave me less that 100#s of load on the front.

 

I installed mine myself and I believe it is about 6 inches in front of the rear axle. But if I remember correctly, it can only be move front to rear about 1/4 inch because of the way the rails mount under the bed. So I don't think it is possible to mount it any further forward or back. The way it is designed it will only mount in one place.

 

Well I owe you guy's an appology. I freaked out over nothing. I got on the B & W web site and looked at the mounting instruction's. Turn's out it's supposed to be that way.

I would think it should be directly over the axle. But like you guy's pointed out, it can't be mounted that way. So I guess all is well. Thank's for the replies.

 

You need one of these... http://www.turnoverball.com/extender/. It'll move the trailer back a couple of inches.

 

The whole idea as to where to mount the center of the ball has two different points of interest. The B&W extender has NO significance in changing the front or rear end weight. The majority of the load is still applied to the square hitch pin.. The extended hitch will theoritically twist the hitch more toward the front or back of the truck , which ever way it is turned. Moving the square hitch forward or rearward is what will make the greatest difference.
There is one school of thought. If the center of load is directly over the center of the bed, the load will not retard front end bounce. If the load is slightly frontward the load will retard front end bounce.
The extender hitch turned toward the rear will give you more cab to RV/gooseneck clearance.

DanTana NC
2006 CTD, QC-DRW 3500, 2006 - 37' Cedar Creek-Day Dreamer, 4x4, EZ, 4.10LS, Line-X.
My New Truck - click here
My old truck - click here

 

I like the way I have it, directly over the axle. Whether or not the 5er is hooked on, the front axle weight is the same (by scales). It steers the same as unloaded, bounces the same. Regards, DBF

 

i have my rig setup this way. it is the only way i can pull my trailer without constantly smashing my cab. even with this setup though i managed to break out my rear window. cant modify the trailer, just gonna have to buy a long bed someday.

 

I've been contemplating which goose to get, and after reading this, I looked closer, and did some measuring....There is no way I'm gonna install a B&W in my short box....A couple inches in front I could probably live with, but not 6....

 

has anyone installed another brand of hitch? if so, on a shortbed how much infront of center is it? i may try to install another brand, to move it back 4-6 inches. whats another hole in the bed anyway

 

The cody hitch is real easy to install. Cost was about $370.00. It sits about an inch in front of the axle. Very good hitch (IMO). Don't have one on my truck but my brother -in- law does he loves it. His truck is a 2004 short bed. codyhitch.com
Tim

 

great thanks. anyone interested in a used b&W?

 

The B&W on a short bed only puts the ball 4" in front of the axel. The long bed version to two more inches forward.