gkerlin wrote:
TubaPete wrote:
"Do you jack up your 5th wheel with the landing gear down?" Yes. I know one side gets a lot more weight than the other, but these things do have a margin of error (safety factor) built in.
Just curious... what engineering documents and/or technical specifications for the OP's specific landing gear did you consult before you advised him that his landing gear had a built in safety factor?
I mean come on... We constantly hear about broken frames, blown tires, busted springs and axles etc. Seems to me that safety margin went the way of the dinosaurs.
Out of curiousity I looked at several landing gears. Ratings were between 6500 and 10,000 lbs., for the pair I assume. However taking just half of those numbers is still far greater than my 2.000 pin weight. I would say there is a safety factor in there somewhere.
As for blown tires, bent frames, etc. those are typically the result of dynamic factors, not static loads, two entirely different anumals.
And while I admittedly can't speak for the OP's rig, my response was what I do. Whether or not it applies to him would be his decision, not mine.
