How much tongue weight should there be on a 5th wheel?

[Dan_69GTX]

How much tongue weight should there be on a 5th wheel?



I've towed a lot of other trailers and know a bumper pull should be 10-15%, but have yet to tow a goose neck or 5th wheel.



I'd like to get one for cars and tractors, but want to make sure the spacing between the wheels and front of it is correct for the weight distribution.



Thanks!

Dan

 

[Okie-Go]

I wouldn't swear to it but I think 17 to 20%. Maybe someone else will know more than me.

 

[Loren]

Dan,



I don't know if there is some set percentage, but the 17-20% sounds good to me. Our Avion fifth-wheel weighs 13,700 pounds and has a tongue weight of 3040 pounds. That's 22% and it tows well.



The farther forward the center of gravity of the trailer is, the more stable it will be to pull. It will sway less.



I would say that you want as much tongue weight as your truck can carry. Look at the semi's on the road. The reason that the trailer wheels are all the way at the back of the trailer is because the truck can carry a huge tongue load with the tandem-dual wheels.



The tongue weight for your truck will probably be limited by the axle weight rating for the rear axle. Weigh that axle now (empty), and subtract from the rated load to get the maximum allowable tongue weight. The tongue of a fifth-wheel or a gooseneck should be exactly over the rear axle. Some installers will move it one or two inches forward of the axle with no ill effects. Do not install a hitch behind the axle centerline.



Happy towing.



Loren

 

[Stranger]

20-22%

I agree with the other posters, 20 to 22% depending in pin location. Farther forward forward higher percentage.

 

[illflem]

I'm not sure as far as a percentage but have experimented when loading twenty-two 1200 pound bins of apples and found the best ride when the rear leafs on the truck are compressed about half way. On my double axle dually trailer moving this 26k load front or back just four inches is the difference between a smooth ride and misery.



When hauling just one 12k tractor it's a simple matter to watch the truck sink to it's sweet spot from the seat of the tractor while loading.



The center point between my two trailer axles is just one foot from the flat bed center towards the rear. Center of the hitch is a foot forward of the rear axle.

 

[Dean Upson]

My pin weight is about 20% of the trailer weight and is located about 2" in front of the axle. Couldn't be better with this truck.



Dean

 

[John Berger]

My pin weight was right around 2200 pounds when I weighed my rig last summer. The trailer was not fully loaded, probably a thousand pounds under GVWR. My hitch is centered over the axles. Very pleasurable to tow.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Thanks for all the responses!



Now to start figuring out what trailer and design would be best for what I want to do!



Dan

 

[Steve Campbell]

A farmer method.....

Roughly it takes 2000 lbs to lower the rear of my pickup 2". I usually shoot for 2 1/2"-3" lower when loaded.