Tongue weight · Gooseneck / 5th-wheel
fifth-wheel trailer tongue weight calculator
A fifth-wheel RV puts 15–25% of its loaded weight on the kingpin, usually planned at about 20%. Because that pin weight rides in the truck bed, it is the number that most often uses up your truck’s payload.
Written by Hemant RawatLast reviewed July 2026How we verify
Your trailer
The fully loaded weight of the trailer — everything on board.
Advanced: check against a hitch rating
The max tongue weight stamped on your hitch or ball mount — the lowest of these governs.
Result
Enter your loaded trailer weight to see the recommended tongue weight range.
fifth-wheel trailer: the 15–25% rule
A fifth-wheel trailer should carry 15–25% of the gross trailer weight, carried on the kingpin as pin weight, with about 20% as a practical target. Enter your loaded weight above and the calculator returns the exact range in pounds (or kilograms).
Loading a fifth-wheel trailer to hit the target
Where you place the load is what actually sets pin weight — the percentage is just the goal. To keep it in range:
- Budget truck payload first: a 15,000 lb fifth-wheel at ~20% is ~3,000 lb of pin weight before people and cargo.
- Keep the pin weight within 15–25% — the lower end frees payload, the higher end improves stability.
- Weigh the loaded rig on a CAT scale to confirm pin weight and rear-axle load rather than trusting the estimate.
Typical setup
3/4- and 1-ton pickups with a fifth-wheel hitch; fifth-wheel RVs and toy haulers.
Verify by weighing
The number above is an estimate from the standard percentage. Your real pin weight depends on exactly how this fifth-wheel trailer is packed, so once you're loaded, measure it. Also check whether your rig calls for a weight distribution hitch, and make sure your hitch class and ball mount are right for the load.
Sources
- RV Miles — Fifth wheel pin weight and towing
- etrailer — What percent of a 5th-wheel king pin should the tongue weight be
- Tulga Fifth Wheel Co. — How do I find out the trailer kingpin weight
Values are summarized from public references and were last verified July 2026. See ourmethodologyfor how we source and verify; manufacturer rating labels and your owner's manual always take precedence.