Forum Discussion

lawnspecialties's avatar
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Jan 21, 2016

Loaded Truck Weights

Now that I'm getting more into weighing my truck, I have been pondering something I've never really checked in my past fifth wheel life.

I know my F350's rear and front axle weights when full of fuel plus passengers. I will know the true pin weight of whatever fifth wheel I buy because I will measure it with my Sherline scale before we sign any papers.

But I won't really know what the front axle weight of my truck will be when the camper's hooked up until I buy it and take it to a CAT scale somewhere. The closest one to us is I-95 between Dunn and Benson which is about 25 miles away.

Is there a good rule of thumb of what percentage of the pin weight will be on the front axle vs. the rear axle of the truck? When I'm loaded up with a full tank of fuel (120 gallons), my front axle is much closer to its GAWR than my rear axle is. Those diesel engines sure do weigh a lot.
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  • mtofell1's avatar
    mtofell1
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2016
    I seem to remember my old 5th wheel adding 100# to the front axle. For all I know that could have been the difference of who/what I was carrying in the truck. As others have said, it's virtually insignificant.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Jan 21, 2016
    "Industry standard" is centerline of kingpin 2" forward of centerline of rear axle. My setup is the same and with 5,500# pin my added front axle weight is less than 150#.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Jan 21, 2016
    He has a F350 SRW and will run into rear wheel capacity issues once that 120 gallon fuel tank is filled and a heavy pin weight FW is added. The rear of the truck weighs about 3000 lbs and 1000 lbs for fuel and tank leaves about 3000 lbs for pin weight. This equates to roughly a 15,000 lb GVWR FW or 12,000 lb GVWR TH FW. The Sterling 10.5" axle is rated for 9750 lbs, so wheels could be upgraded to 19.5" to allow for more pin weight if he wants something larger.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Jan 21, 2016
    Grit dog wrote:
    And resist the urge to start weighting everything incessantly. It like a plague here!
    There are funner things to do with your spare time than psycho analyzing your camper weights!


    Yep, unless you are looking at a 20,000# 5er that F350 DRW, should have the capacity to carry within limits.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jan 21, 2016
    And resist the urge to start weighting everything incessantly. It like a plague here!
    There are funner things to do with your spare time than psycho analyzing your camper weights!
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jan 21, 2016
    Virtually none since 5ths are typically centered over the rear axle.
    If it's fwd or back of the axle, a simple moment calc since you know the pin weight will tell you exactly how much.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Jan 21, 2016
    Your front axle is a 7250 lb rated Dana 60. Just watch your tire weight ratings and you will be fine.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Jan 21, 2016
    99 percent of a 5th wheels pin weight will be on the rear axle of the truck. It would take a lot more than 2" doe the hitch to be in front of the axle to add much weight to the front axle. As the rear suspension settles the small amount at 2" is offset do the change in ride attitude of the truck. So like just about everyone else you will see not big change to the front axle. Plus or minus 100 pounds is pretty normal. Chris
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jan 21, 2016
    Your front end weight will not change much unless you install the hitch way too far forward. You won't install the hitch more than a couple inches ahead of the rear axle at most.

    The only time it might be a problem is if you are towing your fifth wheel with your three defensive linemen sons in the cab with you, and you have a heavy snow plow hanging out front.

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