How to Determine the Pin Weight of a 5th Wheel Trailer

Updated 06/17/2020 | Published 02/09/2018

Question:

Have 01 dodge ram 1500 2whl drive extended cab 5spd manual transmission. And my trailer 21ft 5th wheel. Just wondering what the tongue weight was .my truck weight is 6400 lbs the trailer is 5700 lbs .dry weight .

asked by: Brian

Expert Reply:

The pin weight of a 5th wheel trailer will usually be around 20% of the trailer's gross trailer weight (GTW) rating. The only real way to find the loaded pin weight of your 5th wheel trailer would require access to a commercial scale used to weigh semi-trailers. You will want to attach the 5th wheel trailer to your truck and drive on the scale where only the 4 wheels of the truck are position on the scale. Once you have noted this weight you can then detach the trailer and weigh the truck. The difference between these two weights will be the loaded pin weight of your trailer.

expert reply by: Conner L

Jose M.

6/13/2020

I have a 2012 f150 king ranch 4x4 I recently bought a 5th wheel camper the GTW is 5,700 can I pull it?

Chris R.

6/17/2020

If the total loaded weight of the 5th wheel is 5,700 pounds then your F-150 should be up to the task. From what I could find your truck's capacity safely exceeds that number but it wouldn't hurt to verify this in your copy of the owner's manual. If you can tell me what size bed you have I will be happy to make a recommendation for a 5th wheel hitch.

Helpful Links

5w-2012_ford_f-150.htm