Percent of Pin Weight on Each Axle

[crcr]

We will be switching from a TT to a Fifth Wheel sometime in the not too distant future, so meanwhile I am doing my due diligence. My question is a technical one.

If the fifth wheel hitch is installed where it is recommended, which I understand is several inches in front of the rear axle -- How many inches is correct, BTW? -- What percent of the Pin Weight will be on the rear axle and what percent on the front axle? I realize the % on the rear axle is very high, 90 or 95% or more perhaps, but I would like to know what that figure generally is.

Our TV is a 2004.5 Ram 2500 diesel, Quad Cab, short bed (6'4"), if that info is a factor. Thanks for any input!

[Sport45]

crcr wrote:
My question is a technical one.

If the fifth wheel hitch is installed where it is recommended, which I understand is several inches in front of the rear axle -- How many inches is correct, BTW? -- What percent of the Pin Weight will be on the rear axle and what percent on the front axle? I realize the % on the rear axle is very high, 90 or 95% or more perhaps, but I would like to know what that figure generally is.

You can't can't calculate it without knowing the distance between the axles (wheelbase). But it will only be a couple of % at the most. By the numbers it would be x/(wb-x) where x is inches in front of axle and wb is wheelbase in inches.

If you want to calculate the factor the front axle is unloaded by putting the pin behind the rear axle use x/(wb+x).

For all practical purposes, you could use x/wb in either case... You'll find a couple inches either way really doesn't make much difference.

[Travelon]

goducks10 wrote:
Mines about 2" in front of the rear axle. Front axle weight never changes.

X2

Travelon

[rhagfo]

Ours is maybe an inch forward, never add weight to the front axles. That said, because the weight is directly over or slightly ahead of the rear axle, it doesn't unweight the front like a TT does.

[goducks10]

Mines about 2" in front of the rear axle. Front axle weight never changes.

[i5trucker]

One thing you don't want to do is have negative steer axle weight. In other words, you don't want the steer axle to weigh less when you are hooked up than it does unhooked.

[azdryheat]

My hitch weight is 3500 pounds, none of which is on the front axle per the CAT Scale.

[hbillsmith]

I use an Andersen Ultimate whose pyramid design distributes the weight optimally centered over the axle. I can shift it back 4" from the cab with a Curt Offset ball and I can shift it 8" toward the cab by flipping the Andersen kingpin adapter. The weight is all on the rear axle and I use Firestone Airbags to inflate back to level. Primary reason I chose the Andersen was it is light and takes away the least amount of payload capacity.

[jjj]

Mine is 2 inches in front of the rear axle.

[laknox]

crcr wrote:
We will be switching from a TT to a Fifth Wheel sometime in the not too distant future, so meanwhile I am doing my due diligence. My question is a technical one.

If the fifth wheel hitch is installed where it is recommended, which I understand is several inches in front of the rear axle -- How many inches is correct, BTW? -- What percent of the Pin Weight will be on the rear axle and what percent on the front axle? I realize the % on the rear axle is very high, 90 or 95% or more perhaps, but I would like to know what that figure generally is.

Our TV is a 2004.5 Ram 2500 diesel, Quad Cab, short bed (6'4"), if that info is a factor. Thanks for any input!

According to B&W, the goose ball on my T.O. Ball is about 3" forward of the axle centerline and the center of the kingpin is about 1.75-2" forward at the most extreme forward position of the sideplates. Frankly, I'd prefer the 3" that the goose has, but this works.

Lyle

[fj12ryder]

Mine is probably an inch or so in front of the rear axle. I have about 140 lbs. on the front and about 3,000 lbs. on the rear duallies when I hitch up.

[DrBaker]

Mine is right over axle. My front weight is approx same with and without 5er.

[Jerry_and_Glori]

On my 2008 Ram the SuperGlide hitch it is mounted center the rear axle and it puts no weight on the front axle. It stays 4440 to 4460 all the time

Jerry