New to towing 5'r question

[oilcan1001]

I just bought a 2004 32' toy hauler and am towing with a 1999 F250 superduty 7.3 diesel.
This is my first time towing a 5th wheel and while going down the road I get an intermittent small amount of jerking front to back.
It's not huge but I'm just wondering if this is normal with a 5'r

Thanks in advance

[oilcan1001]

Thank you for all the info Jerry. I was going by the sticker on the door jam which had a lower rating. Since I am somewhat in that range I am very comfortable knowing that my axle rating could be even higher. My truck handles the weight just fine and tomorrow I will go back to the CAT scale and weigh it fully loaded.
These fifth wheels are so large, it is nice having peace of mind that I am not grossly over loaded like a lot of trucks I see on the road.

[MFL]

Out of curiosity, I did a little searching on the 99 250 RAWR. There is not a lot of actual numbers available, other than the 6,830 lbs that is in your vin. According to a early day Ford fleet, as well as a couple Ford forums, both the 250, and 350, carried the same rating of 6,830. The axles were the same, and the RAWR was determined by the OEM tires installed.

I did also see truck forum people mention the 6,080 that John found. In any case, with the 3,415 new tires on the truck, you are good for at least the 6,080. Also, if for whatever reason the REAL weight police checked you, they would just be concerned that you were within your tire weights. In some states, for what your truck paid registration is.

Jerry

[oilcan1001]

shadows4 wrote:
Oilcan, your rear axle should be rated to 6084 lbs. The lower rating on the door sticker is probably due to the tires that came on the truck. Here is a link that you can put your vehicle vin in and it will give you a spec sheet on your vehicle. Just follow the link and select the vehicle tab to enter your vin.


I think you will be fine on your weights. Good luck, John

I tried your link, but it only gives me minimal data. GVW 8800 no axle ratings.

This is the link I used, but not sure how accurate it is (3rd party I think)

[oilcan1001]

I cannot post a picture here at all. But if you look at my above post that low rear axle rating is on the sticker in the door. I did a data search on my Vin number and the 6830 pounds is what is on the spec sheet from the vin search. I imagine if I ever got pulled over the "Real" weight police would look at sticker on my door jamb.

[shadows4]

Oilcan, your rear axle should be rated to 6084 lbs. The lower rating on the door sticker is probably due to the tires that came on the truck. Here is a link that you can put your vehicle vin in and it will give you a spec sheet on your vehicle. Just follow the link and select the vehicle tab to enter your vin.


I think you will be fine on your weights. Good luck, John

[rhagfo]

oilcan1001 wrote:
I cant get you a pic of my calculator stats, but here are my numbers and those who don't understand my numbers can plug them into the calc.
Also, I'm using my vehicle tag vs a VIN search for Specs (the VIN search gave me a 6830# RAWR which is 1860# more than the tag in door jamb

Front GAWR 4250
Rear GAWR 4970
GVWR 8800
GCWR 20000

On CAT scale with trailer attached (empty):
Front axle 4280
Rear Axle 5000
Trailer Axle 6420

CAT scale truck only
Front Axle 4160
Rear Axle 2860

Hitch GTWR 24000
Trailer GVWR 14000

Truck tires are new and rated at 3415# per tire

Hope this answers the questions

Have you owned this TV since new??
Those axle ratings look real low for a 1999 F250! The F250 Diesels were all HD models with a full floating rear axle, should have a minimum 6,000# rating on the rear axle, see if you can post a picture of you VIN sticker on the drivers door rear jam.

[GoPackGo]

I've been towing with the MorRyde pinbox for over 3 years now and it's great.

It was developed to reduce/eliminate your exact condition. I suspect it would be of great benefit to you. It is a very simple device and simple is always good !

I also have a Hensley air hitch but air hitches are aimed more at reducing the up and down motion that shows up when crossing railroad tracks or hitting potholes, bumps, etc as opposed to back and forth chucking.

[MFL]

oilcan, I see where you got your 30 lbs over RAWR now, but are you sure the rating is only 4,970? I'm thinking it is about 6,000. That would put you well under RAWR.

Looks like you're in great shape with the tires!

Jerry

[oilcan1001]

I cant get you a pic of my calculator stats, but here are my numbers and those who don't understand my numbers can plug them into the calc.
Also, I'm using my vehicle tag vs a VIN search for Specs (the VIN search gave me a 6830# RAWR which is 1860# more than the tag in door jamb

Front GAWR 4250
Rear GAWR 4970
GVWR 8800
GCWR 20000

On CAT scale with trailer attached (empty):
Front axle 4280
Rear Axle 5000
Trailer Axle 6420

CAT scale truck only
Front Axle 4160
Rear Axle 2860

Hitch GTWR 24000
Trailer GVWR 14000

Truck tires are new and rated at 3415# per tire

Hope this answers the questions

[oilcan1001]

how do I post a pic so I can show you guys

[rhagfo]

shadows4 wrote:

oilcan1001 wrote:
I'm only 30lbs over RAWR
400 lbs over GVWR
1830lbs under tire ratings.
This is with an empty trailer.
I'm hoping it will get under specs when I load the garage (behind rear axle).
We'll see Sunday when I weigh fully loaded

Oilcan, this may help in your calculations. Here.

Shadows4, using this calculator, you are likely close to maxed out with your 5er. :B

On EDIT: well it will give a pretty good report, it actually hit most of my weights pretty close.

[shadows4]

oilcan1001 wrote:
I'm only 30lbs over RAWR
400 lbs over GVWR
1830lbs under tire ratings.
This is with an empty trailer.
I'm hoping it will get under specs when I load the garage (behind rear axle).
We'll see Sunday when I weigh fully loaded

Oilcan, this may help in your calculations. Here.

[Durb]

Here is my opinion. Chucking forces are generated by your trailer. As the 5er goes over a bump it creates a rolling motion on an axis between the two axles. Due to the angle created by this axis and the height of the hitch this rolling action is translated into up and down forces and back and forth forces (chucking). The greater the angle (shorter trailer) the more fore and aft forces relative to vertical forces and the greater the chucking. This is why bumper tows have no chucking as the angle is small due to hitch height and the forces are all vertical.

A standard fifth wheel hitch is a solid joint between the trailer and the frame of your truck. This is why you are feeling it in your cab. The solution could be two fold. One, reduce the rolling motions with better axle equalization or trailer axle shocks. Second, isolate the fore/aft forces from your truck with a rubber isolation pin box (MorRyde), air suspension pin box or air suspension hitch.

The forces generated by the truck tires going over bumps and being transmitted to the frame might be mitigated by better shocks, Timbrens, air bags or a bigger truck but the chucking forces are coming from the trailer. A hitch with tighter jaws may be quieter but would be better at transmitting chucking forces to the frame and therefore to your seats.

I've been exactly where you are and tossed money at the truck fixes with no results. Chucking was eliminated once I isolated the trailer. Good luck and have fun with your new 5er.

[MFL]

Russ, I too noticed the 1,830 lbs under on tires, but over RAWR by 30 lbs. It is likely a typo, maybe all 4 tires, or some hefty replacement tires/rims?

OP is doing his homework, so he should get things figured out.

Jerry