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IH_Fan's avatar
IH_Fan
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014

Loading weight & distribution on a 5th wheel

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!

22 Replies

  • 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 :)
  • 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