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TrailerFool
Starting Member
4 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 14 2008 : 5:15:38 PM
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It seems that the number that manufacturers list as "Hitch Weight" (pin weight, tongue weight) is a DRY WEIGHT rating. Does anybody have a formula for calculating FULLY LOADED HITCH WEIGHT?
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gsbainter
Average Member
USA
134 Posts |
Posted - Aug 25 2008 : 3:45:51 PM
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This is a good question! The DW and I are thinking about upgrading to a 5'er in the spring and I have read alot about pin weight and it has just confused me. Any 5'er owners out there that can help us out?
Greg & Susan
2005 Rockwood 8314SS
2006 Chevy 2500HD CC LB 3.73 8.1 big block
Takonsha P-3 Reese Dual Cam HP
Dogs: Walter(Boxer and Staffie mix) and Teddy (Lab mix) |
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Rich and Char
Junior Member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - Aug 25 2008 : 9:34:26 PM
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For a 5ver pin weight is usually 20 to 25% of gvwr. only true weight is from a scale loaded and unloaded.
Rich
Rich
1 Beautiful Wife
3 Beautiful girls
Charlie , Min-pin
Sandy , Chihuahua mix
2006 F-350/Lariat FX4/CC/LB/Drw/PSD
2007 Keystone Challenger 29TRL
PullRite 20.5K Hitch |
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TrailerFool
Starting Member
4 Posts |
Posted - Aug 25 2008 : 10:07:14 PM
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| Being a 1/2-ton truck owner, my concern is that one must use a real pin weight (not a "dry" weight) when calculating the true weight on the rear axle of the truck [with 1/2-tons it seems the Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) is the limiting factor in towing a fifth wheel]. Using 20% of GVWR (aka GTWR) eliminates virtually ALL 5th-wheels from 1/2-ton towing (25% of GVWR is even worse!). Don't get me wrong, I've seen 20-25% as the accepted standard many times, it's just that I've recently realized that 1/2-ton trucks in reality aren't really rated to SAFELY pull ANY 5th-wheel! |
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lamadio
Junior Member
USA
81 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 23 2009 : 07:27:43 AM
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Also remember that the hitch and all of your stuff in the bed adds to the axle load. The entire unit (connected AND loaded like you were leaving to camp) must be weighted at a public scale (truck front axle JUST completely on one plate so you have room to pull forward, truck rear axle on another and the camper on the third). Each scale plate will then weigh the axle load on each truck axle individually, front and rear (they will be different!), and you will also have the combined gross combined weight as well as the camper axle loads when connected (this can be divided by the number of axles for an individual axle load if they are all on the same plate). Then disconnect and pull the truck forward so that JUST the truck is on the front two plates and weigh again. This will give you the disconnected axle loads on the truck (they will be different) and the actual weight of the loaded camper. (again divide the camper weight by the number of axles for the load on them). Subtract the second rear axle weight from the connected rear axle weight to get true loaded pin weight. Re-connect and drive away.
Lou and Laura
Bella the Short Hair Pointer
2008 GMC Sierra CrewCab SB Duramax and Allison
Pullrite 3300 w/Superrails
2010 Flagstaff 8526RLWS 5th Wheel
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Edited by - lamadio on Sep 24 2009 2:12:57 PM |
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lamadio
Junior Member
USA
81 Posts |
Posted - Sep 25 2009 : 12:06:54 PM
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Speaking of 1/2 ton, the way I understand it is the rear axle load is 1000 pounds of cargo/pin weight. If the pin weight is in excess of 1000 pounds without hitch you might be overloaded.
Lou and Laura
Bella the Short Hair Pointer
2008 GMC Sierra CrewCab SB Duramax and Allison
Pullrite 3300 w/Superrails
2010 Flagstaff 8526RLWS 5th Wheel
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REAL 5th-wheel "Hitch Weight"?
