It seems like such a simple question... But I can't find the answer...

Cliff notes: Is there a rule of thumb about position of the ball in relation to the front of the bed/tool box?

Long version: I've got an '04 Superduty shortbox with a tool box in it. Tool box is absolutely packed and I can't imagine not having it. I've used a tag trailer for a couple years and it works "ok" but I would like a wider deck, better axles, and better highway manners. I drove by a GN trailer for sale the other day, went back today to look at it and I really like it.

I went to all the major hitch websites, I searched here, I searched FTE, I searched google.. I found pictures of people with a similar setup, but no numbers. I want to calculate if it will work with MY truck and MY toolbox. The B&W turnover for my truck puts the ball 3.5" in front of the axle. That would be 14.5" behind my tool box. I don't want to move the ball back because the whole point of the GN it to handle better. (it should be said that I've never towed a GN, so I don't actually know what it will handle like).

The trailer is about 28'. "semi deckover" that is to say the tires come up even with the top of the deck, and there's thick diamond plate fenders that you can drive over, but they're only 1-2" off the deck. Deck is 96" wide. 7klb axles, 5klb curb weight. dual jacks, tool box, drings, stake pockets and tiedown rail. Tires look good. Home built in '04, but it looks very professional. Dude says his buddy that helped him works for a trailer company. Dude says he's been asking $5k but no one has been interested, so he's ready to deal.

So thoughts on the trailer are always welcome, but mostly just worried about how it will work with my truck.

-Jay

The ball should go roughly 6" ahead of the rear axle, regardless of bed length.

The ball should go roughly 6" ahead of the rear axle, regardless of bed length.

Well.. The B&W turnover for the longbed will do 6" but the shortbed kit only does 3.5" I suppose I could drill some new holes but that doesn't seem prudent. 6" ahead of my axle would leave 11" from the centerline of the ball to the back of my toolbox, I really doublt that would work. I have enough doubts about 14.5" working.

-Jay

it will be fine, been there done that. just use the b&w hitch with it's designed locating and you will not have a problem. Your biggest problem will be whether or not your neck is taller then you toolbox lid, that is where the clearance issuses will be. A typical g-n coupler is only about 5"s, and 11's of clearance should be plenty

The ball should go roughly 6" ahead of the rear axle, regardless of bed length.


wow thats a great answer. not only did it not have anything with the question that he asked,but it also insinuated that a reputable hitch manufacturer didnt know what they were doing. brilliant! :laughing:

FYI the ball can go anywhere from overtop of the axle to 6" forward,so shift some of the tongue weight forward to the front axle. ive seen big medium duty trucks with the ball well behind the rear axle,and they pulled just fine,since these trucks are themselves so heavy.

if B&W puts it a 3.5" forward,id trust thats a good place for it in his truck. shortbed trucks ive seen typically put the ball right over top of the axle to get as much clearance as possible between the coupler and cab,and they still tow fine.

bigjay,what you have to worry about is clearance between the coupler and cab,as 1track said the neck can swintg over top of the tool box. since the toolbox and ball are mounted in fixed positions,the clearance you have is plenty.

the thing you will need to watch out for,is backing up RV type trailers,or GNs that have a flat upper deck. something with a wide neck may be close enuff to get your cab if you turn it sharp enuff. you will likely not have any prollems out of a V shaped neck.

I have a F250 Shortbox with a tool box, and am using the B&W Turnover (mounted according to their specs). I have plenty of room between the ball and the tool box, However my box is flush with the top of the bed rails. The only other problem as stated above is with a box type trailer or a flat deck on the neck is the cab clearance when turning very tight.

So I guess I need to measure from the coupler to the bottom of the neck to see if it will swing over my tool box. The trailer I looked at is a V neck and I doubt I would ever tow anything different. My tool box sticks up 4-6" (haven't measured), it's a weatherguard 20" model.

Thanks for the replies.

-Jay

I have a 01 f350 crew short bed/w a tool box. Pull a 27' goose with it. I mounted my ball centered over the axle. It has worked great. Pull two toys on it so its heavy. I don't think I could tow a box or goose with a deck without running into cab clearance issues though. Go for it. You'll love the way it tows.

On my 98 Dodge 2500 Short bed, Quad cab 4x4 CTD, I have the ball centered over the rear axle and I have a tool box in the bed too.

It's *close* in there with a GN hooked up, but I've towed about 11k with it on a 2 hour trip and it did fine.

I mounted it centered over the axle because at the time I didn't know better - but to be honest, moving it forward would mean it would be coming close to taking out the tool box with some of the larger GN necks I have seen.

On my 98 Dodge 2500 Short bed, Quad cab 4x4 CTD, I have the ball centered over the rear axle and I have a tool box in the bed too.

It's *close* in there with a GN hooked up, but I've towed about 11k with it on a 2 hour trip and it did fine.

I mounted it centered over the axle because at the time I didn't know better - but to be honest, moving it forward would mean it would be coming close to taking out the tool box with some of the larger GN necks I have seen.

How many inches do you have centerline of the ball to the back of your toolbox? Thanks.

-Jay