Number of axles and hitch weight

[Wannabetravelin]

When buying a fifth wheel does the number of axles make a difference on the weight on the hitch. Two fifths same size, same weight, will the one with two axles have a higher hitch weight than one with three axles? Looking at a 04 36RE3 Mobile Suites with a title weight of 13,360 three axles. Can a 2000 F350 LB Crew single axle tow it, more importantly stop it?

[avvidclif1]

The "Title Weight" depends on the state. In Texas it is the GVWR which is 12,305 for my trailer. Not shipping or empty weight.

[Wannabetravelin]

Thank you all for all the valuable input you have provided! The fifth I was looking at has been up on three contracts, two have failed, and the third was 10 minutes before I called about it! I have been looking for a dually, but not much luck finding one of those either. Think God is telling me to be happy with what I have! Thanks Again

[Cummins12V98]

avvidclif1 wrote:
Several have made assumptions about the trailer weight, empty or GVWR. You need to look at the trailer placard and get the GVWR for the trailer. If it is the 13,360 you should be OK. Any higher and you could have problems.

NADA shows it to be a 2 axle trailer with a weight of 14,750 but doesn't indicate if that's gross or empty. Either way add an axle and you could be in trouble, weightwise with the SRW.

My 2 cents worth.

"Title weight" as the op said is 13,360# that is the actual stripped of any extras and water waste propane. so when you add all these things and personal belongings he would be a FOOL to think he could safely haul this RV.

[Cummins12V98]

TXiceman wrote:
Three axles does not mean a lower pin weight. Three axles are used to carry more load and use lower rated tires.

Kne

Typically that is true. Most toy haulers do that. Mobile Suites triple axle's have GY H tires all around.

[TXiceman]

Three axles does not mean a lower pin weight. Three axles are used to carry more load and use lower rated tires.

Kne

[avvidclif1]

Several have made assumptions about the trailer weight, empty or GVWR. You need to look at the trailer placard and get the GVWR for the trailer. If it is the 13,360 you should be OK. Any higher and you could have problems.

NADA shows it to be a 2 axle trailer with a weight of 14,750 but doesn't indicate if that's gross or empty. Either way add an axle and you could be in trouble, weightwise with the SRW.

My 2 cents worth.

[stripit]

Back in 2004 Doubletree made triple axle trailers only for one dealer down south and they increased the pin weights rather than decreased them. The 3rd axle was just welded in behind the last axle and it changed the towing angle. Had all three axles been moved forward a bit it would have helped, that was not done. So in this case the double axle trailer will have a lower pin weight than the triple.

[KATOOM]

I dont think I saw the axle part of the question answered so in regard to that, the number of axles will share the total weight placed on them. Thats why the axles are not mounted directly to the frame but to each other. When one axles gets more weight placed on it then it transmits a shared portion of that load on to the neighboring axle. The more axles you have the more share of the load.

[DennisG9]

I found a nice little app that does calculations for you its called Fifth Wheel Safe Towing
You will need info from TV and axel weights for trailer app will calc pin weight percentage

[Wannabetravelin]

Thanks for all your inputs! Since I don't want two payments, quess I will keep what I have.

[adayjk]

I agree, but you made a comment about stopping. It is a common misconception that the tow vehicle stops the trailer. The trailer brakes stop the 5er. More axles with brakes should equal more stopping power assuming every axle has brakes.

[Cummins12V98]

Wannabetraveling14 wrote:
When buying a fifth wheel does the number of axles make a difference on the weight on the hitch. Two fifths same size, same weight, will the one with two axles have a higher hitch weight than one with three axles? Looking at a 04 36RE3 Mobile Suites with a title weight of 13,360 three axles. Can a 2000 F350 LB Crew single axle tow it, more importantly stop it?

My answer is based on I have a 07 36SB3 Mobile Suites. It weighs about 19k with 4,500# pin weight.

U sure it has 3 axles? Really does not matter you will be WAY OVERLOADED.

As far as stopping the trailer is supposed to stop its self.

Bigger truck or smaller RV.

You can't go by the 13,360 weight. My unloaded weight says 14.5K look at my weight compared to that.

[jjj]

If it has three axles and I am assuming the title weight of 13360 is dry weight then once you start loading that is going to be a lot heavier. I have a 02 F-350 dually v-10 and I only have a two axle trailer with a dry weight of 11960 and a gvw of 14000 and my trailer weighs in at 13400 loaded and my book rates my truck at 13500 max trailer weight and I am too close for comfort, it does ok but I would not want to go any heavier. Just my 2 cents worth.. good luck

[JIMNLIN]

"One size don't fit all" here but yes the triaxle trailers usually can have a bit lighter pin weight.
"And generally speaking" its not as suspect to gaining pin weight as a tandem axle trailer when its loaded. All depends on axle placement.

I assume you have the V10 gasser or the 7.3 diesel. The small 5.4 gasser is way under powered at those weights.
Your '00 F350 SRW shows to have a 6830 RAWR/tire ratings thats going to carry 99 percent if not all of the pin wight of a 13360 GVWR trailer. We can only guess at the trailers actual pin weight but using 20 percent your looking at a 2600 lb pin weight. Now add a hitch/gear and folks and your in the 3000-3200 lbs area.
The truck rear axle may weigh in the 3000 lb range which leaves the truck a 3800 lb payload. The one ton SRW shouldn't have any issues carrying that kind of pin weight.
Fords '00 towing specs shows a 20000 lb GCWR and up to a 13900 lb trailer for the F350 SRW.

The '00 will have a big load but take it easy and enjoy the ride.