WDH compared to 5th Wheel
The wife and I are looking at buying our first camper. We've found a few floorplans in our price range, some TT's and some 5ers. I'm aware that each has their pros and cons. I actually really like the...
Forum Discussion
NDcamper15 wrote:
Sorry for the lack of info guys. We're looking at around a 35 foot TT about 8k pounds dry weight. There are a few different ones we're looking at so its hard to give an exact tongue weight. TV will be a ram 2500 with the 6.4 hemi so weight shouldn't really be an issue.
Minimum tongue weight is 10 percent. Average is about 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight. Toy haulers are higher to offset weight in the garage area.
Average trailer load (dishes, pots and pans, flatware, camping chairs, BBQ, bedding, groceries, tools, fishing gear, and water, etc) is 800 to 1000 lbs.
5th wheel pin weight averages 20 - 25% of loaded trailer weight. That is why folks have mentioned possible payload issues with 2500 series trucks.
Tongue / pin weights will vary during every trip. Different things may get loaded in different areas. Water and groceries get used up, and holding tanks get filled. Depending on location, in relation to the axles, holding tanks can have a significant impact on tongue / pin weights. My fresh tank is behind the axles, and it's affect on my tongue weight is + / - 175 lbs. Tongue weight goes up as water level goes down.
I selected TT over 5er because of truck bed usage and what to do with the hitch when it's not in use. My WD hitch fits in a storage compartment on the TT, and I don't need help putting it in there.
