Average pin weight?

[mdamerell]

I've often read that a 5'rs pin weight, on average, is 20-25% of the trailers weight. Personally, mine runs around 22%. Do most people find this rule of thumb to be accurate?

Reading a thread on 1/2 ton towable 5'rs, the one person posted his numbers and his pin weight was around 16%. Got me to wondering if the 1/2 ton 5'rs run a lighter pin weight? Since most 5'rs will hit the pin weight limit before the tow limit. Is this one way the manufacture's are making them towable with a 1/2 ton truck?

Don't want to start a war, just an honest question.

[rhagfo]

goducks10 wrote:
If it handles good it's not really important whether it's 15,20 or 25% IMO.
Mines right at 20% but it just worked out that way, in other words good designing from the factory I guess. From everything I've read the recommended pin weight is supposed to be between 15-25%. I don't think anyone's breaking the law by not having 20%:)

X2

I would believe that smaller lighter 5er would run a smaller percentage as they have smaller basements, in a larger 5er, many load a lot of "Stuff" in the basement ahead of the axles.

[JohnD222]

2Hams,

Your point about the extra mattress (and pin) weight is right on. It reduces the "tail wagging the dog" affect from too heavy of a tail versus pin. If your setup travels well on (1) down hill curves and (2) mild zigging and zagging between lanes, don't worry about it. If either is white knuckle experience, moving a little weight forward will help, sometimes a lot.

Within reason, I think it would be safer to slightly overload the tow vehicle than have too heavy of a tail that can toss a tow vehicle around pretty easily in an emergency situation.

[goducks10]

Lantley wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
If it handles good it's not really important whether it's 15,20 or 25% IMO.
Mines right at 20% but it just worked out that way, in other words good designing from the factory I guess. From everything I've read the recommended pin weight is supposed to be between 15-25%. I don't think anyone's breaking the law by not having 20%:)

There is physics involved that 20% figure is designed to give optimum performance and stability. 20% does not happen by accident or chance. But most fivers are designed that way.
If your tongue/pin is too light there will be stability issues. Unfortunately the driver may not find out until there is some type of incident.

Recommended pin weight according to all the literature I've read can be anywhere between 15-25%. Show mw where it has to be 20% or more. Every trucks owners manual I've ever read always says 15-25%.
That's not to say that every 5'er will react the same with the same pin weight. Some need more, some don't.

[2hams]

The posted 16% pin weight was from a CAT scale weigh, so it is not wishful thinking. As for loading, tools, bottle jack, Coleman grill, chairs, awning screen all in basement. Also in front of axles - residential mattress and 4" memory foam topper and the pantry. Only heavy stuff in the back are essentials like a case of beer and 20# of dog food. 🙂


Maybe because there is no bedroom slide?


Also it tows and rides better since we changed the mattress.

[JIMNLIN]

Our first 5er had a 17 percent pin weight. It pulled beautifully by itself or with a 3400 lb boat behind it.

2nd 5th wheel trailer had a 20-22 percent pin weight and it towed like a sick hog on ice.

Current 5er has a 19-20 percent pin weight. Zero towing issues with it.
The industry tells us a 15-25 percent is recommended.

I pull GN equipment and a 36' tri axle stock trailer which can be loaded at any percent hitch weight. I pulled 18k GN trailers with around 12-13 percent on the ball and no issues.

Half ton towable ?? Our 1/2 ton trucks run from a 6xxx GVWR with small 3500 rawr/P tires and 1500 lb payload up to 8600 GVWR and 6000 rawr/E tires and wheels with over 3000 lb payload.

[cdlaine]

Loaded for fun... 21% (per CAT scale)...but I've never
been perfect.

Charles

[banjo]

I am at 20.6%

[fj12ryder]

Both our '03 Big Sky and our present Fuzion toyhauler show 20% on the pin when I weighed them loaded and ready to travel.

[NC_Hauler]

Last I weighed , this past March. 5er weighed in at 16,050#, pin weight was 3330#. Pin weight of 5er is 20.7% of 5er weight.

[Lantley]

goducks10 wrote:
If it handles good it's not really important whether it's 15,20 or 25% IMO.
Mines right at 20% but it just worked out that way, in other words good designing from the factory I guess. From everything I've read the recommended pin weight is supposed to be between 15-25%. I don't think anyone's breaking the law by not having 20%:)

There is physics involved that 20% figure is designed to give optimum performance and stability. 20% does not happen by accident or chance. But most fivers are designed that way.
If your tongue/pin is too light there will be stability issues. Unfortunately the driver may not find out until there is some type of incident.

[Rob_Fla]

Our loaded weight is 15,200 lbs and our Pin Weight is 3,400 lbs

That puts us at little over 22%, about where I would expect to be.

[goducks10]

If it handles good it's not really important whether it's 15,20 or 25% IMO.
Mines right at 20% but it just worked out that way, in other words good designing from the factory I guess. From everything I've read the recommended pin weight is supposed to be between 15-25%. I don't think anyone's breaking the law by not having 20%:)

[12thgenusa]

romore wrote:
If his pin weight is 16% it is a product of
1. wishful thinking
2. poorly loaded with too much weight behind the axles
3. a poorly designed trailer with the axles too far ahead.
Our 24.5' without a slide grosses at 5600 lb, pin weight comes in just shy of 1300 lb which is pushing the limits of any F-150/1500. Such a truck will pull it, many people do, but the experience would not be enjoyable or safe. We started out with a truck that was marginal for our needs, won't make that mistake again.

None of the above. Here are the numbers from my last weighing:
Trailer GVW: 8100
Pin Weight: 1240
Pin Weight %: 15.3%
I've towed this combo up and down and all around the Colorado rockies for over 10,000 enjoyable miles. This is a 26 ft. rear kitchen with one slide.

[azdryheat]

mdamerell wrote:
I've often read that a 5'rs pin weight, on average, is 20-25% of the trailers weight. Personally, mine runs around 22%. Do most people find this rule of thumb to be accurate?


Reading a thread on 1/2 ton towable 5'rs, the one person posted his numbers and his pin weight was around 16%. Got me to wondering if the 1/2 ton 5'rs run a lighter pin weight? Since most 5'rs will hit the pin weight limit before the tow limit. Is this one way the manufacture's are making them towable with a 1/2 ton truck?

Don't want to start a war, just an honest question.

Most people never weigh their trailers so we'll never know the answer.

[therink]

My fiver loaded scaled at 12,280 with pin at 2400. Just shy of 20%.