Tongue/Pin Weight Estimator

The most accurate method for estimating is shown below- figure out the dry tongue/pin weight percentage and use that to extrapolate what the actual tongue/pin weight will be against the camper's estimated actual loaded weight.

A lot of times, during the research and evaluation process of fifth wheels is trying to figure out if your truck can or cannot tow the camper of your dreams. Most trucks run out of payload long before hitting any of their other ratings. This payload has to carry everything in/on the truck and most importantly, it has to carry the weight of the tongue or pin pushing down on the rear of the vehicle. Use this calculator to figure out the weight of the pin/tongue weight of prospective units. Once you own your camper, the form below should become worthless. You should get scaled and get accurate weights (click for instructions on how to weigh a fifth wheel or travel trailer).

Dry Weights

To start, use the published dry weight specs from the manufacturer's web site or brochure material to get an idea for what the "designed-in" pin/tongue weight is going to be. While the dry weights themselves are largely fictional, they can give you a basis for estimating your actual weights.

Dry Tongue/Hitch Weight (from specs)

Dry/Unloaded Vehicle Weight (from specs)

Estimated Camper Weight

The advertised dry weight of a camper doesn't include any options for that camper; the first checkbox that is marked on the camper's order sheet increases the actual weight of the camper. On top of that, it is said that the average RVer loads 1,000 - 2,000 pounds of "stuff" into their camper - everything from pots and pans to grills to water in your tanks (fresh and gray/black) and water heater) to clothes to heavier mattresses to... well, you get the picture. You are going to know if you're in a smaller camper and pack lighter to a bigger camper and are of the "pack everything" mindset (which, to be honest is where we fall).

For us, we're in a big camper, heavily optioned and have a "pack everything" mentality - it's our home away from home. We typically have a full water heater, partially full fresh water tank and carry some liquids in each of the 5 waste water tanks (3 gray, 2 black). My heaviest weighing had me in at just shy of 3,000 pounds from the advertised dry weight.

Some philosophies are to use the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the camper for your calculations from the specs. This is a decent idea as it protects you against a worst case scenario.

Estimated Loaded Weight (or GVWR)

Calculated Percentages

Using the formula (dry hitch weight / dry vehicle weight) you arrive at the designed-in pin/tongue weight of the camper. This will be calculated for you below.

Dry Pin/Tongue Weight Percentage

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Adjust Pin/Tongue Weight

Because fifth wheels are often designed with a majority of their storage in the front "basement", as you load up your camper, the pin weight often times increases. Each fifth wheel camper is different in how much it changes (I've seen everything from a 0.5% change in my camper to other reports of as much as 5%). To get the most accurate estimate, you should plan it in. You can use the selection below to see how much it changes and makes a difference.

Estimated Percentage

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Estimated Pin/Tongue Weight

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Your truck should have this much "Cargo Carrying Capacity" in order to stay within all of your ratings. If you go to a scale and get weighed, this "Cargo Carrying Capacity" is the difference between your truck's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and it's actual weight. If you're doing this before buying, make sure you estimate the things that you normally would carry for a camping trip (don't forget the hitch!).