Pin Weight

Rwake901 wrote:
Picking up our new fifth wheel on Saturday. First time fifth wheel owners. I was wondering when adding weight to the fifth wheel does this also add weight to the pin? I assume it will. Is there a way to calculate the weight at the pin by how much weight was added to the fifth wheel? Thanks

Right up front you have to factor-in a hitch weight of 2320#. That’s the published hitch weight for your trailer as shipped from the factory. It was derived from a computer model for a fully loaded, perfectly balanced GVWR of 15000#. It’s very doubtful that number will ever be less than that after you own it.

Probably 70% of all cargo loaded into/onto your new trailer will be forward of the axles. The hitch weight is going UP.

The only way to accurately measure your trailer's operational hitch weight is to load it up for traveling and find some scales to verify its total weight (GVW), axle weights (GAWRs) and hitch weight.

Before signing for the trailer, insure the dealer corrects the cargo label to reflect any changes in added weight over 100#.

Just in case you have not read the owner’s manual, here is a copy of the generic 2019 edition. It has some great pointers to use at the scales.

Keystone PDF

Rwake901 wrote:
Picking up our new fifth wheel on Saturday. First time fifth wheel owners. I was wondering when adding weight to the fifth wheel does this also add weight to the pin? I assume it will. Is there a way to calculate the weight at the pin by how much weight was added to the fifth wheel? Thanks

If you are adding weight forward of the trailer axles, you are adding to the pin weight. It's that simple. Yes it would be possible to calculated it if you were familiar with how to do an aircraft weight and balance but you would be much better off just to get your rig weighed.

Having just gone through this exercise myself, let me share with you how it worked out for me.

I have a one ton SRW (Ram 3500) GRAWR is 7000 lbs, Payload is (if I recall) in the neighborhood of 3600lbs). I just don't have that number in front of me.

I added spray in bed liner, and Retrax tonneau cover. Weighed truck with me, liner, and tonneau cover. Remaining payload was 3460 Remaining Axle weight available was 3740.

I added my hitch, Pull Rite OEM Puck style auto slider - 300 lbs. Down to 3160 payload, and 3440 rear axle.

New trailer is Grand Design Reflection 367BHS. Pretty heavy trailer. GVWR for trailer is 14995. Dry weight of trailer (brochure/listed) is 12474 and dry pin weight is 2665.

My actual dry weight (as weighed on CatScale the day I purchased) was actually 12740, and pin weight was 2620. So, close but not exact. But, again, as many point out, disregard dry numbers. I weighed it so I would know how much "stuff" I loaded.

Bought a new mattress that weighed about 60lbs shipped. Added 400 lbs of "stuff" in the front storage (I previously loaded it in bed of my truck and weighed it). Loaded the rest of our "stuff" in trailer.

Went camping this weekend. Loaded weights

Trailer: 13880
Pin Weight: 3060 (22%)
Rear Axle remaining capacity: 380 lbs
Payload: 20 lbs over payload

My "stuff" weighed 1140

This was with NO water in fresh water tank. In my trailer the water tank is behind rear axles, so, if I put water in the tank, it will take some off the pin.

So, with my 1 ton SRW, I am technically over capacity (Payload) by 20 lbs, with a 5er that total weight is just under 14000lbs. Not what I expected honestly. I thought I'd have more remaining capacity. This is my first 5er.

So, heed the advice of the vastly more experienced group that you (and I). If you are talking about towing basically the same weight (13500 or so) with a 2500, I seriously question whether that will work.

Mike

Rwake901 wrote:
After doing some recalculating we will ether be right at max cargo or 100 pounds or so over. Although not ideal it’s too late to turn back. This being our first fifth wheel I could only rely on manufacturers advice and what I could find online.

If this is your first fiver, I suspect it will be your last. It is NOT going to be an enjoyable experience, ESPECIALLY if your truck is gas, not diesel.
Is it really too late to back out on the fiver or get a higher capacity truck?

Rwake901 wrote:

kaydeejay wrote:

Rwake901 wrote:
Looks like I will probably be 3 to 4 hundred pounds over my max cargo weight on my pin then for the truck I’m buying. Guess I’ll be putting some overloads on it.

Whoa, are you saying your pin will be 3-400# over your payload? Have you figured in the weight of your hitch, passengers and other stuff?
What truck are you buying? Not sure where the 15K trailer GVW came from but you are into 1-ton or even dually country.
If it's a new truck you might want to ask your dealer what overloading will do to your warranty!

The fifth wheel should be around 13500 loaded or less. The pin weight is 2300 empty plus 2 passengers and 140 pounds or so for the hitch. Max cargo weight is 3100lbs. I contacted the manufacturer of the RV and was told that I can “absolutely “ tow this fifth wheel with a 3/4 ton truck. I guess I will find out.

:S
Well let's look at your numbers.

Key specifications - 321RS FIFTH WHEEL

Shipping Weight 11,534#

Carrying Capacity 3,466#

Hitch Dry 2,320#

Length 35' 8"

Height 13' 2"

Well we will start with 11,534 + 3,466 = 15,000# GVWR

OP states to load to about 13,500# which is about 2,000# of stuff.

So dry pin is 2,320# based on 11,534# dry weight so about 20%

So 20% of 13,500# will be 2,700# +/- more likely +.

Now 3,100# - 2,700# leaves 400# MAX remaining payload that needs to include passengers, hitch and Stuff.

I personally see you over GVWR more than you think, if the TV is gas then you are asking a lot of it towing 13,500#, while you live in the mid west mostly flat land if a gas truck you will be pressed in the hills.
Would you be willing to share information about the TV?

Power, gear ratio, and scaled weight.

You will be around 14k wet.... thats 1 ton territory newer SRW would do it, diesel... NOT a 3/4 ton gasser....

"The fifth wheel should be around 13500 loaded or less."

What makes you think that is all it will weigh? What is the RV's GVWR? Do you know for a FACT what the RV weighs without anything in it?

Rwake901 wrote:
After doing some recalculating we will ether be right at max cargo or 100 pounds or so over. Although not ideal it’s too late to turn back. This being our first fifth wheel I could only rely on manufacturers advice and what I could find online.

UH, why didn't you consult this Forum BEFORE buying your truck???????

". I contacted the manufacturer of the RV and was told that I can “absolutely “ tow this fifth wheel with a 3/4 ton truck. I guess I will find out. "

Yea let's hope you don't have to find out the hard way!!!

If the AZZ Monkey that told you that was standing in from of me right now I would ***** SLAP him!!!

After doing some recalculating we will ether be right at max cargo or 100 pounds or so over. Although not ideal it’s too late to turn back. This being our first fifth wheel I could only rely on manufacturers advice and what I could find online.