Is There a Way to Determine Added Tongue Weight with Truck Bed Camper When Using Weight Distribution

Updated 11/12/2021 | Published 11/08/2021

Question:

How can you calculate the added tongue weight of a slide in truck camper when using a WD hitch with an extension for a car trailer

asked by: Keith D

Expert Reply:

That's a really hard number to get an exact figure on but the best way to estimate would be to take the entire weight of the camper and divide it by about how much of the camper sits behind the rear axle. Often times this can be between 25 and 50 percent depending on bed length and camper length.

Like it sounds like you are aware of, any additional weight added to truck bed behind the rear axle would count as tongue weight when picking out a weight distribution system.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Keith D.

11/9/2021

I don't understand how the weight behind the rear axle of a truck can have any affect on how much weight a hitch can take. I can see how it affects your payload limits but not the hitch.

Les D.

11/12/2021

@KeithD I have posted a link to another Q&A that discusses this in greater detail. Think of it this way, a weight distribution hitch is designed to move weight from the truck rear axle to the truck front axle and trailer axle(s). The weight on the truck rear axle is not only some of the weight of the truck, but also the weight on the trailer hitch ball, and the weight of things you put into the bed of the truck - particularly behind the rear axle. This rear bed weight is mostly considered when placing weight there full time in the form of camper shells, toolboxes, and the like.

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