Hello, I’m wondering if there is an estimated percentage increase in fully loaded tongue weight of a fifth wheel trailer when appropriately loaded to capacity, versus the factory listed dry tongue weight? for example, the trailer I’m looking at purchasing has a listed dry tongue, weight of 1930 pounds. The maximum trailer gross vehicle weight is 12,000 pounds. The trailers carrying capacity for cargo fluids, etc. is 3239 pounds. I’m trying to make sure the truck I would choose for fifth wheel can accommodate the fully loaded tongue weight. Is there a way to estimate the increase in tongue weight when the trailer is fully loaded to get a reasonable approximation?Some good technical input would be appreciated.Thanks

5th wheels generally run 20-25% on the pin. There is little relation between the advertised "dry" pin weight and what you see in real life. Doubly so, once you load it up. "Dry" pin weights often seem artificially low compared to real life.If it has a 12k GVWR, I would plan on 3000lb pin weight (25%). So if buying a truck and wanting to stay within spec (some people will tell you to exceed spec), you are likely needing a truck with north of 4000-4500lb payload (don't forget passengers, hitch, other stuff in the truck bed, etc... count against payload)

Dry tongue weight versus fully loaded | Good Sam Community

opnspaces
Navigator II
Feb 21, 2025
You might consider calling a dealer that sells Northwoods and tell them you need a door that's 36" wide and see if they will measure the width of the doors for you. From the one video I looked at online the door does appear wider than most. But the cabinets and the steps look like they would be in the way of letting the chair in.

I agree a toy hauler ramp can be pretty steep. Also once inside the bathroom is usually pretty small.
JRRoadRanger
Explorer
Feb 21, 2025
Thanks for that! Not going to be a toy hauler however I did want to look into if the dealer or manufacturer could add some appropriately placed power wheelchair tiedown hooks so we could bring my daughters 450 pound fullly equipped, power chair and she could enjoy getting around with us.
- valhalla360
  Navigator
  Feb 21, 2025
  You might reconsider a toy hauler. If your daughter will be with you frequently, getting a large power wheelchair in and out of a standard 5th wheel could be challenging. I'm guessing on dimensions but I would be surprised if you can get the chair thru a standard RV door. With a toy hauler, you just drop the rear loading door and she drives right in.
  - JRRoadRanger
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2025
    Thanks for this great input. I’ve been trying to find sources of information without a lot of success until now. Regarding the door, we’re looking at one of the Northwoods 27 foot fifth wheels. The specs aren’t listed but copilot AI believes that the door is 36 inches wide by 84 tall and the deck height is 24 inches off the ground. All of those specs would work just fine using the ramp. I have to get her chair through the door. (if copilot knows what it’s talking about.)
    Regarding the choice of truck taking a little closer inspection I think I’m gonna need the 3500! Problem comes in the payload, even with the max towing package. If my wife and I brought along two friends (that have much weight to them at all., a GMC 2500 hd with max towing would already be overweight without any other gear in the truck, even if using the 22% pin weight calculation. This is surprising to me.
    Regarding the toy haulers, I’m not sure what the ramp slope ratio is, typically 2 : 12 is recommended for safe use with wheelchairs. I have been able to carry the chair in my tundra which has a slight lift on it with the bed about 32 inches off the ground using a 10 foot ramp which is a little bit on the steep side, but if the chair is empty, I can drive it up standing next to the chair successfully. Even at that the ground needs to be totally flat just a slight pitch throws the angles off and the chair can start sliding down the ramp when you drive it out of the bed. Need to be real careful with these chairs to avoid 450 pounds crashing to the ground off the side of a wheelchair ramp. The 24 inch deck height on the North woods trailer, as long as that door is big enough, would be no problem at all for my ramp.
JRRoadRanger
Explorer
Feb 21, 2025
Thank you so much for that insight and some great guidelines. That tells me that if I get the 2500 HD truck I’m going to need to definitely get the max towing package to meet a 3000 pound tongue weight and a 4000 to 4500 pound payload. Just the decision making information I’ve been looking for. Was thinking I might like the ride a bit better if I didn’t get max towing package, however it looks like that’s the way to go!
Thank you so much!
valhalla360
Navigator
Feb 20, 2025
5th wheels generally run 20-25% on the pin.
There is little relation between the advertised "dry" pin weight and what you see in real life. Doubly so, once you load it up. "Dry" pin weights often seem artificially low compared to real life.
If it has a 12k GVWR, I would plan on 3000lb pin weight (25%). So if buying a truck and wanting to stay within spec (some people will tell you to exceed spec), you are likely needing a truck with north of 4000-4500lb payload (don't forget passengers, hitch, other stuff in the truck bed, etc... count against payload)
bid_time
Nomad II
Feb 20, 2025
The pin weight “dry” is 22% of the “dry” weight. Hence you can expect the pin weight to be 22% of the GVW when loaded; I.e.: 2650lbs +/-
If it’s a toy hauler it may be about 20% when toys are in the back.

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