5th Wheel weight distribution and swaying

[Garand]

Pardon my ignorance, but are 5th wheel trailers subject to the same sway problems as conventional trailers? Second question; do I have to be concerned with weight distribution when towing a 5th wheel trailer?

Thanks;
Dave

[Harold Kroeker]

5th wheel trailers are less susceptible to sway, but you it can still happen. According to the Sherline Towing Guide http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm, a 5th wheel trailer should have 15% to 25% of the trailer weight on the hitch.

[Garand]

Thanks for that reference...there is lots of interesting info to be gleaned from that site.

Pedantic mode on:

Over the years in the air cargo industry (since 1967!), I've loaded and tied-down lots of stuff on aircraft. For the last 20 years, I've been designing training material for aircraft weight & balance calculations, for the tie-down of very heavy loads in aircraft, and for the packaging and handling of dangerous goods.

I said all that to say, you must also consider the distance of the load from the pivot point (for us, the trailer axle). A 50 kg object, two meters from the axle, generates as much torque (the force causing the front of the trailer push down or pull up on the hitch) as a 100 kg object one meter from the axle. What that means is, we can generate as much effect on the hitch with lighter objects located far from the axle as with heavy objects placed near the axle.

Pedantic mode off:

Dave

[escape artist]

Hi: Garrand... That's why my 200+ lbs. standing on the rear bumper bike rack receiver sent the front landing gear skyward!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie