Hi folks,Just bought our new 5th wheel - and our first fifth wheel being former travel trailer owners so we are new to this. I have a question from seasoned owners as to loading a 5th wheel. I hope I can explain myself:When loading goods on a fifth wheel, what percentage weight ends up on the pin?For instance if I put 100 lbs in the basement (which is towards the front of the trailer) what is the percentage of weight distribution that ends up on the pin? By the same token, if I put the weight (100 lbs in this example) over the trailer axle area, does the weight distribution on the hitch lighten and if so what would be the percentage on the pin? And finally, if I put the weight behind the axles (rear of trailer), again, what is the weight distribution?I ask this as the rule-of-thumb that I've read on the topic is that the pin takes 20 to 25% of the weight. This seems a bit broad as you would think that the closer the weight that is loaded towards the front of the trailer, the greater the weight would be placed on the pin.Thanks in advance!

If you put weight right on the axle the pin weight will not change. If the weight is behind the axle the pin weight will be less. Weight forward or the axle will add to the pin weight. As you put weight forward of the axle more of that weight is transferred to the pin depending on how far forward the weight is. Likewise the further aft the weight is behind the axle the pin weight is decreased accordingly. Get a good physics book and look up lever arms. Basically, the fulcrum is between the two axles

Don't know how big of a 5er you bought but what's a hundred pounds when the thing weights 12,000# or so to begin with. If it's in the "basement" I'd guess that maybe a 50/50 or 60/40 split based on the design of your unit. Just load it up where it makes sense, then weight it. If everything checks out you're good to go. Enjoy don't overthink :)

There is no magic formula. Load how you like and hit the scales.

The % of the 5er weight that is on the pin is pretty much designed into the trailer. Some are as low as 15% and some are as high as 25%. If you distribute your cargo, the % should remain pretty much the same. The location of a full fresh water or holding tank probably make the greatest difference. I have a 32' Montana High Country and the 34' version of the same trailer has a lower dry pin weight. I'm guessing that the extra 2' are behind the axels.

Might make a difference if it has a rear kitchen or a kitchen over or in front of the axles. Also where the large storage areas are.

Loading weight & distribution on a 5th wheel | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

TXiceman
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2014
If you place a load over the axles of a 5er, the pin weight will increase some as the total weight of the trailer increases. Palce load behind the axle and the pin weight will decrease but the total weight of the trailer will increase.

ken
Water-Bug
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2014
Allworth wrote:
You are picking fly specks out of the pepper.

Quit thinking and go camping.

Don't know how it really applies to the topic but NO FLY SPECKS IN MY PEPPER, PLEASE!!!
Allworth
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2014
You are picking fly specks out of the pepper.

Quit thinking and go camping.
sele
Explorer
Aug 23, 2014
our fresh water tank is at the complete rear of the f'ver which I use to offset any weight in the front cargo areas if needed. The better balanced the better it tows. I feel you are on the right track balancing your weight
wilber1
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
As with a travel trailer. moving the center of gravity forward will make it more stable (same goes for all vehicles, including aircraft up to a point) but you don't want to overload your truck. You could weigh the trailer, find its center of gravity, then calculate the moment for everything you add to calculate a new center of gravity as with an aircraft, but what a lot of work. It ain't that critical. If in doubt, put it over or forward of the axles.

You will find your fifth wheel more stable when towing than your travel trailer so enjoy.
Tango__AE7UI
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
On our fifth, the 50 gallon fresh water is above the axles, the 45 gallon grey forward of that and the 45 gallon black ahead of that.
Rear kitchen and a fairly small storage compartment in front.
Tows great and I think its pretty much balanced.
Mile_High
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
Water-Bug wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
Just get a big enough truck and a few 100lbs here or there won't matter.

Unless you have Chinese tires. Wait a minute, we all have Chinese tires. :(
Not all!

Ours is a bit nose heavy, just by the way it was designed. Our water, W/D, and generator (all forward of the axle) push us to 24.9% (4,300lb). I have to be a bit careful with the huge front closet, as it could easily haul another 1,000 pounds in there if I let it. The closet is even forward of the pin, so its the worst place to load stuff.
MTPockets1
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
We full time and have a full basement, front closet, and full under bed. Also pretty well full in cabinets. Our pin weight is 3200 lbs. or about 23% of total weight. Just pack and don't worry.
Water-Bug
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2014
goducks10 wrote:
Just get a big enough truck and a few 100lbs here or there won't matter.

Unless you have Chinese tires. Wait a minute, we all have Chinese tires. :(
rhagfo
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2014
Road Runners wrote:
If you put weight right on the axle the pin weight will not change. If the weight is behind the axle the pin weight will be less. Weight forward or the axle will add to the pin weight. As you put weight forward of the axle more of that weight is transferred to the pin depending on how far forward the weight is. Likewise the further aft the weight is behind the axle the pin weight is decreased accordingly.

Get a good physics book and look up lever arms. Basically, the fulcrum is between the two axles

Yes, a basic understanding basic physics is helpful.

the tandem axles are not a true fulcrum (pivot point) as it is not a single point.
so that said;
near the axle just on the axle
near the nose mostly on the pin
Near the rear some off the pin

You do want to keep about 20% on the pin, helps stop "Chucking".