I know im going to get a lot of opinions, but please try to keep the answers scientific as possible. I am trying to compare the hitch weight of a fifth wheel trailer to the tongue weight of a bumper pull trailer. lets say the bumper pull has a tongue weight of 1200lbs and the fifth wheel has a hitch weight of 2800lbs. with the 5er the weight is pretty much over the rear axle. the bumper pull is approx 4' behind the axle (on a short bed truck). the bumper pull acts like a lever and is actually putting more force on the springs of the truck than an equal weight 5er would.

I think this is in the wrong forum, but anyway, you might have that part in your truck manual on mounting a snow plow in front that has the calculation you need for the same idea with a bumper pull at the back.

What you stated is correct for a standard ball hitch. Nobody uses that. With a weight distribution hitch it depends on how tight you pull it up. I saw a guy tighten it enough to raise the back wheels enough to slide a sheet of paper under the rear tire.

I understand if you use a WD hitch it changes things, Im asking is the force 4x the tongue weight because it 4' from the axle? how do you calculate what the actual force is. the 5er should be 1:1 since it sits over the axle.

boatms03 wrote:I understand if you use a WD hitch it changes things, Im asking is the force 4x the tongue weight because it 4' from the axle? how do you calculate what the actual force is. the 5er should be 1:1 since it sits over the axle.Assuming it works the same on the back as at the front, then where:W = weight of added accessoryA= distance accessory is from the rear axleWB= vehicle wheelbaseThen Actual Weight added to rear axle is (W x(A + WB))/WBSo 1500lbs four feet back from rear axle with a 12 ft wheelbase is really 2000lbs on the rear axle

Wouldn't the scales answer this best? There's tons of posts around here with that info. Who would tow a trailer with a 1200 lb tongue without WD?

hitch weights | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

BFL13
Explorer II
Dec 22, 2013
boatms03 wrote:
I understand if you use a WD hitch it changes things, Im asking is the force 4x the tongue weight because it 4' from the axle? how do you calculate what the actual force is. the 5er should be 1:1 since it sits over the axle.

Assuming it works the same on the back as at the front, then where:

W = weight of added accessory
A= distance accessory is from the rear axle
WB= vehicle wheelbase

Then Actual Weight added to rear axle is (W x(A + WB))/WB

So 1500lbs four feet back from rear axle with a 12 ft wheelbase is really 2000lbs on the rear axle
boatms03
Explorer
Dec 22, 2013
I understand if you use a WD hitch it changes things, Im asking is the force 4x the tongue weight because it 4' from the axle? how do you calculate what the actual force is. the 5er should be 1:1 since it sits over the axle.
powderman426
Explorer
Dec 22, 2013
What you stated is correct for a standard ball hitch. Nobody uses that. With a weight distribution hitch it depends on how tight you pull it up. I saw a guy tighten it enough to raise the back wheels enough to slide a sheet of paper under the rear tire.
BFL13
Explorer II
Dec 22, 2013
I think this is in the wrong forum, but anyway, you might have that part in your truck manual on mounting a snow plow in front that has the calculation you need for the same idea with a bumper pull at the back.

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hitch weights

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