How many know their actual pin weight. Serious 5vr's should. Most discussion regarding trucks are more about towing capacity, when it needs to be about pin weight which is the biggest part of cargo capacity. Many seem to use a percentage of GVWR and go with that number to make it fit their truck cargo capacity. I know my pin weight is 3300 lbs which is close to 23% of my GVWR. If I used a more common approach, I would be well under 3000 lbs. I've seen some use numbers as low as 15% to say their pin weight is 2000 lbs. or less. There is no way to know your pin weight unless you visit the scales and do the math. Do you know your pin weight?

I know mine and I even have a handy smart-phone friendly web site for calculating it once you're at the scales:http://www.towingplanner.com/ActualWeights/FifthWheelCatScalesMy camper runs about 17%-18% of my loaded weight depending on how long I'm loaded.

Very few know their actual numbers. Many guess or take dry numbers as gospel.

I agree, most don't know their actual numbers, I don't. If I had a scale reasonably close, I'd give it a run. I am well under my payload, rig tows well, so not a big concern.If I were to guess at my pin, or loaded weight, I would go by my dry weight, plus 1,500#s, for my loaded wt, and then figure 20 percent of that for pin wt.If I was even close to maxing out rawr, I would take the time, when traveling, to find exact wts.Jerry

I've never had a 5er so I was wondering just exactly HOW do you weigh the pin? Do you disconnect from the truck and put the pin on some sort of stand or do some simple math to determine the weight?Ron

I'm around 30% under based on the dry numbers, so apparently, I'm not too serious...but I'm pretty comfortable with it anyway.Now if your dry numbers are pushing 90% of the max ratings, it's probably not a bad idea to weigh the rig and find out where you are.

Pin weight | Good Sam Community

mayorna
Explorer
Nov 03, 2014
Truck full of fuel with me in it: Steer axle 5340, Drive axle 4180, Gross 9520.
Truck and trailer with wife and 4 long hair chihuahuas in the truck: Steer Axle 5460, Drive axle 8600, Trailer axle 15340, Gross 29400. Truck Max payload is 5700 and GVWR is 14500
GCWR 33000, Trailer GVWR is 20000.
bpounds
Nomad
Oct 30, 2014
I have no idea what my pin weight is. I knew last week when I weighed it. But that was then, and this is, now. So I don't really know.

None of you do either, unless you're sitting on a scale reading the forum.

There really isn't any need to make such a big deal out of it.
GON2SKI
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014
Really do not know yet…………but I want to get her weighted soon. It is much heavier than our '01 Cougar 281 EFS …..and barely felt that rig behind us…….I've been waiting till all my upgrades are completed.
cdlaine
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014
I'm in at approx. 21%.... 2660 # at last CAT visit (loaded)...
Northwood had the dry hitch weight at 2300 # (on sticker)
so, probably pretty accurate. We do pay attention to
loading plan, and monitor what comes in and out.
(I don't haul water, but do run "level").

oops ! sorry ol' Bombero...does that mean I shouldn't have
posted ??? :D

Charles
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014
MTPockets1 wrote:
How many know their actual pin weight. Serious 5vr's should. Most discussion regarding trucks are more about towing capacity, when it needs to be about pin weight which is the biggest part of cargo capacity. Many seem to use a percentage of GVWR and go with that number to make it fit their truck cargo capacity. I know my pin weight is 3300 lbs which is close to 23% of my GVWR. If I used a more common approach, I would be well under 3000 lbs. I've seen some use numbers as low as 15% to say their pin weight is 2000 lbs. or less. There is no way to know your pin weight unless you visit the scales and do the math.

Do you know your pin weight?

Nice "good points" post....but why?

Anyone that cares....knows.
Those that don't care - don't care..:R

Oh golly gee, better run (drive) to the scales.

Easy answer to your last = YES.

~
Winged_One
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014
MTPockets1 wrote:
How many know their actual pin weight. Serious 5vr's should. Most discussion regarding trucks are more about towing capacity, when it needs to be about pin weight which is the biggest part of cargo capacity. Many seem to use a percentage of GVWR and go with that number to make it fit their truck cargo capacity. I know my pin weight is 3300 lbs which is close to 23% of my GVWR. If I used a more common approach, I would be well under 3000 lbs. I've seen some use numbers as low as 15% to say their pin weight is 2000 lbs. or less. There is no way to know your pin weight unless you visit the scales and do the math. Do you know your pin weight?

Yup, 3340 lbs or about 22.9% of total. Looks like we are very similar.
hone_eagle
Explorer
Oct 28, 2014
Pin actual #4040 (brochure claims #2895 ),trailer #16,000.GWR #18,000.
can't remember the truck by axle ,but the total is #16,000.
We were camping near a small Mobile Suite group a few years ago and they brought a scale and every one was at least #500 over what the manufacturer claimed in the sales literature a few were #1000 over.
Eye opener? Oh ya , brochure weight , dry weight - absolutely useless.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 28, 2014
C-Bears wrote:
The easiest way to get your weights is to run across the scales while out traveling. All Flying J and Pilots have scales (or most anyway). Simply go in and pay your $10.00 and get your scale sheet.

Then wait until you are unhooked (camped) in an area where there is a scale. With your TV loaded pay another $10 and run it across the scale.

Now you have all your numbers on 2 scale sheets. Now sit down and fugure your pin weights and everything else. The next step for some will be shopping for a new dually!

Re-weigh same day only costs $1

Drop trailer in parking lot and swing back thru scales.
C-Bears
Explorer
Oct 28, 2014
The easiest way to get your weights is to run across the scales while out traveling. All Flying J and Pilots have scales (or most anyway). Simply go in and pay your $10.00 and get your scale sheet.

Then wait until you are unhooked (camped) in an area where there is a scale. With your TV loaded pay another $10 and run it across the scale.

Now you have all your numbers on 2 scale sheets. Now sit down and fugure your pin weights and everything else. The next step for some will be shopping for a new dually!
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Oct 28, 2014
Dave H M wrote:
:S Dang I thought I knew my pion weight but now I realize that I did not use a CAT scale. I thought the local grain elevator scale would be close enough.

Those things are everywhere here in central IL

Shouldn't be an issue as long as calibrations are done on a regular basis....I just know more about the CAT scales than any other...Guess it may be a regional thing?