Axle Placement on Fifth Wheel Tandem Trailer to Get 20 Percent Pin Weight and Smooth Ride Quality

Updated 09/18/2019 | Published 09/17/2019

Question:

I have a 5th wheel GVW 10500lbs hitch weight is 1400lbs Traveling down the road the hitch bounces hard its to light. 5th wheel is 34foot long i have room i pre measured everything if i move my tandem axles back 15inch i should increase hitch weight by about 600lbs and improve ride of camper. what is the thought on this?

asked by: Dale B

Expert Reply:

I'd say you are on the right track as you really want the fifth wheel pin weight to be right at 20 percent of the total trailer weight. Which for your trailer that weighs 10,500 lbs that would be right at 2,100 lbs.

So what I recommend you do is follow the picture I attached to determine how far exactly to move the axles. I'd do it for you but I don't know the distance from the tongue to the center hanger's center.

I also attached a help article on how this is done as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C