Why don't 5th wheel mfgrs place more heavy items in rear?

Anything of any weight is on and mostly forward of my axles. I have well over 4,500# pin weight and my 5er tows great.

Too light of pin weight and it will be a bad ride.

To answer a question, who would want a Generator in the living area? Noise and space it would take up is why they don't. Same with Propane bottles they would take up space.

The higher the percentage of weight up to 50% the better. 10% travel trailers often use anti sway devices, 20% 5th wheels/goosenecks don't. Neither do 50% semi trucks. Ideally 50% would be the ticket but most people don't own trucks big enough for 50%. 20 - 25% is a compromise that works quite well.

Going back to the OP, the farther aft of the pivot point, (axles) the weight is the better pendulum it becomes. A good reason to put the junk department between the truck and trailer axles.

jaycocamprs wrote:

Lantley wrote:
Wow are we confused. Why does a locomotive pull the train and not push it? The weight holds the train on the tracks.

The locomotive pulls the train because the cars are not strong enough in compression. They would crush the rear cars.

Trains have absolutely nothing to do with pulling 5th wheels. The locomotive carries no weight from anything it pulls and is planted on rails.

goducks10 wrote:

Jim-Linda wrote:
If one uses a sufficient TV, pin weight doesn't matter.

Jim

Ding Ding Ding and we have a winner:)

Ding Ding Ding, we have two losers!!

jaycocamprs wrote:

Lantley wrote:
Wow are we confused. Why does a locomotive pull the train and not push it? The weight holds the train on the tracks.

The locomotive pulls the train because the cars are not strong enough in compression. They would crush the rear cars.

BNSF is commonly using 2 pull engines and 1 push engine on trains in my area.

Jim-Linda- I have a 32" Visio LCD TV. Does that mean I am good to go?? ;)



Just kidding, of course.......

Jim-Linda wrote:
If one uses a sufficient TV, pin weight doesn't matter.

Jim

Ding Ding Ding and we have a winner:)

Pin weight does matter. The more the better the trailer will tow. That is why 5th wheel trailers handle much better than a pull trailer and if the pin weight is in the 25% area they almost never have sway or any other handling problems provided the TV can handle the pin weight. The only other requirement for a well handling 5th wheel is that it be level. Thus 1/2 tons do not work well with 5th wheel trailers as they can not handle the pin weight that will give a well handling trailer.

Lantley wrote:
Wow are we confused. Why does a locomotive pull the train and not push it? The weight holds the train on the tracks.

The locomotive pulls the train because the cars are not strong enough in compression. They would crush the rear cars.

Wow are we confused. Why does a locomotive pull the train and not push it? The weight holds the train on the tracks.

A towable RV weight needs to be in the front to keep the nose down. If the nose or pin is too light the trailer would chuck/bounce too much and attempt to lift off the hitch as the trailer traveled down the road. The RV would be very unstable as you traveled. Having a heavier nose keeps the front of the trailer down and helps the pin maintain contact with the hitch
Yes axle placement enters the equation. The axle does set up the pivot point to help achieve the desired (20-25% of loaded weight) pin weight.
But cargo placement is equally as in important. Putting too much cargo or weight on the rear will make for a light pin and create an unstable towing experience.