Forum Discussion

Calicajun's avatar
Calicajun
Explorer
Jun 04, 2015

Leveling A Fifth Wheel

Hi,
At the moment I have a pull behind TT but looking into getting a 5th wheel trailer.

The one question that came to mind is how do you level a 5th wheel. The my pull behind TT I use with a WDH to even out the load through out the truck. I haven't seen anything like that for a 5th wheel trailer. I know the hitch sits over the rear axle but that still puts more weight on the back of the truck than the front. Also the tongue weight of a 5th wheel is much heavier than a TT tongue. :?
  • That's why payload of your tv is the most important consideration when considering a fiver. Hence the adage "you can never have too much truck".
  • My 14,000 pound 5th wheel puts 2,840 pounds on the rear axle but no extra weight onto the front at all.
  • Most have at least a 3/4 ton or 1 ton (SRW or DRW). I added air bags to my SRW 1 ton to help a bit. Mine didn't sag very much without the air bags though.
  • A TT loads the TV behind the rear axel, this unloads weight from the TV front axel. A 5er loads the TV rear axel, without unloading the TV front axel. TV are by design front axel heavy. The engine and transmission typically load the front axel of the TV. Excess pin weight does unbalance the TV, but as long as you don't exceed the load capacity of the TV, 5er handle better than TTs.