5th wheel pin weight

As others have said, the only way to know is to weigh it loaded. Mine is a rear kitchen, with all the junk in the basement, including an extra spare for the truck, and loading as much as possible forward of the axels, it is still at 12 to 14 percent.

It tows and tracks fine, even in a crosswind. It is so tail heavy it ought to wag like a happy dogs tail, but it does not. It was sold as a half ton towable, and it just barely is. Maybe that is why they built it that way. 2011 Wildcat.

Find the "Specifications" sheet for the camper you are considering. This will list the exact dry pin weight. Obviously, if you add anything to the basement storage, it will add to the pin weight, depending upon how close the compartment is to the front of the rig.

rcp123 wrote:
I am trying to determine what average % of weight is transferred to my truck with a 5er.

I am looking at a FW with 11,500 dry and approx 13,000 loaded.

Some sources say to use 15%, but I thought a better range would be 20-25%

What recommendation would everyone suggest I use to get an estimate of tongue weight?

Thanks,

One size doesn't fit all in this case. Of the three 5th wheel trailers I've owned they all were under 20 percent....however we only camped on long weekends and 3k-5k mile vacation trips 2-4 times a year.

There are simply too many variables to determine actual pin weight percentages.

I've noticed some 5th wheel trailer may have a 4k-5k ccc and low shipping weights. Many of these are in the weight range that can determine a 3/4 ton or a one ton SRW or from there to a one ton DRW truck.
I've bought three 5th wheel rv trailers and I always looked at the vehicles dry weights and CCC numbers and gvwr numbers and axle weight numbers.
To me it doesn't make sense/cents to buy a one ton DRW for a trailer that has a 10xxx shipping weight and a large 3.5k-4.5k ccc and a 14k-15k gvwr.

I would use all the numbers for each particular unit.

I would look at all the numbers.

About 20 percent of the trailer's actual loaded weight is hitch weight. Use the GVWR of your trailer as a guide to the actual loaded weight. The dry weight means nothing.

To be sure your TV will handle the load 25 percent is what should be used. Most people would be shocked to see what their pin weight is. I am at or near 25 percent.

You can use percentages as a swag method. But if you look at manufacturer's web sites you will find the listed unloaded pin weights for trailers of equal length and weight but different floorplans can vary several hundred pounds due to overall construction. Sometimes shorter lighter trailers will have heavier pin weights than a trailer longer and heavier, again due to construction and interior arrangements.

Then you start loading the trailer up for travel and all bets are off.

15 percent is too low, 20 percent is is a more realistic minimum, and up to 25 percent as a max.
I need about 22 percent to not have chucking.

In my opinion, 23 - 25% is a safe range to use (and is generally cited over on the Escapees forum). We are right at 23% and are loaded lightly for full-timers. If you think about it, much of the extra stuff you load in a fiver goes in the basement, under the bed (in a front bedroom model) and the bedroom closet. Those are all forward of the trailer axles. Add to that the propane tanks, battery, and anything you put in the front tool compartment and it starts adding up quickly.

Rob

Don't guess at what you might be loaded to. Use your 5er's GVW and work from there. 20% is a usual ball park, and as you've read, it can go as high as 25%. When figuring pin weight, don't cut corners...it could make for a lousy towing experience...thus the reason to forget empty or dry weights and figure full GVW, "just in case".

Jim

Yes, 20 percent is used as an average. I think more loaded FWs, will be over the average, than under.

The dry weight is often figured on the low side. If you are figuring to add 1,500 lbs to the trailer, I would figure for a loaded total of 13,500 x .20= 2,700 lb pin weight, plus another 200 lbs for the hitch.

I think your axle/tires could handle 3,000 more lbs, but you would be at the edge of RAWR, especially depending on what else is going in the truck. Another thought the 6.2 will be at max around 12,000 lbs, unless you have 4.30 gears.

Jerry