Fifth wheel position

As already mentioned. Close to the cab. Less wind resistance. Better fuel mileage.

Perfect position is whatever gets you 12,500 pounds on the steers. Adjust to that and leave it there forever. Unless you're pulling a drop deck or something to that effect trailer. Where you'll have to slide it back enough to not rub the mud flaps on the trailer landing gear.

 

I wouldn’t change the position then. Keep the weight on the steer axle.

 

Slightly off topic but I have heard it is better to "pull" a load rather than "carry" it. Meaning that if possible put more weight on the trailer axles than the drives. This could only apply to flatbed since the trailer doesn't really have any air resistance.

 

TYVM, I had no firm belief one way or the other but what you say makes far more sense than what I heard before.

 

Imagine carrying 50# in a backpack vs pulling that same weight in a Radio Flyer.

 

Well using that analogy the radio flyer is better. I am not supporting the weight and moving it, the wagon supports it while I only have to provide the energy needed to move it. Probably why wagons were invented in the first place.

I do support the better traction and weight distribution reasoning.

 

It’s easier to haul a load than pull a load.

 

Flatbeds have less wind resistance. Yes.

But put a load on and now it the worst wind resistance.

You want your drives heavy as possible. Traction.

Think dump truck and pup.
Some drivers are actually dumb enough to dump the truck first. And now they're stuck. The pup is still full and now weighs more then the empty truck.