rhagfo wrote:
REWahoo wrote:
motorcycle jack wrote:
The placement of the items inside has very little to do with the pin weight. It is where the balance point versus the axle placement that effects it most. If you have a problem with understanding that, let me give you an example. Lets say the given 5th wheel has a total weight of 10K and the pin weight is 2K (20% of total weight). Now add 1K to the rear of the unit. Does that mean the pin weight is now 1K? Since you added it behind the axle (which is not the balance point). No. The total weight is 11K (10 + 1) and the pin weight is now 20% x 11K or 2200 lbs. Sorry, just the nature of the design.
An engineer will be along shortly to point out the inaccuracies in the above post. :)
Some pretty fuzzy math in there, sorry Jack, if placed at the rear of the unit it will lighten the pin, no not by 1,000#, but unless the wheels are at the rear of the five by a good percentage of the 1,000#.
You are very kind... it isn't fuzzy math, it is just flat WRONG!
I designed numerous trailers and depending on what it was being used for determined where the axles were placed. My rear kitchen has no more or less percentage then any other 5th wheel/gooseneck. Food in the fridge and pantry doesn't add up to much therefore makes little difference on pin weight. My fresh water is over the axles and black/gray tanks just ahead of the axles. Depending on just how long the wheelbase of the trailer is the junk in the front storage compartment would make a difference of approx 1/2 the weight of the junk.
