The 'fifth-wheel' hitch needs to be at approximately the axle line, right? I know with farm tractors if the drawbar is above the axle line bad things happen.
Quote:
1] Hitch receiver design. Inches count
2] Length of drawbar. Inches count
For any given tow vehicle.
Shortest rear overhang -- from tow vehicle axle center to hitch ball -- is best, as you note, but separate from the above.
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Suppose the hitch is drawn up under the body, which terminates in a convex spherical sector that is centered on the hitch ball. Then a trailer with a long tongue and a concave front bulkhead could make torsional and angular excursions without impacting the tow vehicle.