How to Reduce the Tongue Weight on a Five Wheel Trailer
Tongue weight is one of the most critical aspects of towing and fifth wheel trailer loading, and varies according to where the load lay in relation to the trailer's front axle. The front axle acts as a fulcrum; place any weight ahead of it and the tow vehicle begins to bear the load. At its extremes, tongue weight can comprise almost the entire weight of the cargo, placing a great deal of excess stress on the tow vehicle's rear springs and suspension.
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Instructions
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Redistribute the load so that more of it lay either above or behind the trailer's front axle. You can think of load distribution as positive, neutral or negative. Weight ahead of the axle is "positive," and it adds tongue weight. Load behind the axle is "negative," as it counteracts weight ahead of the axle and effectively "subtracts" weight. Weight over the axle doesn't add to or subtract from tongue weight.
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Add ballast to the rear of your trailer if you have the load rating to spare. Hypothetically, if you have a trailer with 10 feet of deck surface both ahead of and behind the axle, then adding weight to the back will effectively subtract the same amount of weight from the front. Obviously, ballasting will only work if you have the load capacity to spare; otherwise, you risk over-loading the trailer.
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Relocate the front-most axle closer to the front of the trailer, or take your trailer to a shop that specializes in such modifications. If you have a dual-axle trailer, then you'll need to move both axles forward, as the front and rear springs are connected. Relocating the springs is fairly simple if you have a welder; you need only unbolt the axles and move the spring hangers forward by as much as you need to.
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Tips & Warnings
The third option here is to add a second or third axle ahead of your front axle. Considering the amount of fabrication required to relocate the original axle, you may actually save some money by purchasing another axle and having it installed. Bear in mind, though, that while adding another axle may increase your trailer's gross weight capacity, it does nothing for the tow vehicle's.
If you don't already have experience in frame fabrication, then you're best off farming the work out to someone who does. There's no sense in increasing safety by reducing tongue weight only to have your welds break after hitting a pothole.
