Do I need air bags?

[MLWalton]

The 5th wheel I'm considering getting has a hitch weight of 1990lbs and just curious if I need air bags. My truck is a long bed CC 4x4 6.2L with a rear GAWR of 6340lbs. Thanks.

[BenK]

Best to actually weigh it's axle, fully loaded ready to go RV'ing....but....while shopping...ball park guesstimating you will need both listed dry weights & ratings AND the GVWR of the trailer(s)

You can figure the tongue or PIN percentage weight of it's dry condition...then use that percentage to multiply the GVWR and that begets a ball park tongue or PIN to figure what your TV is rated for

Of course you should also weigh your TV axle's fully loaded ready to go in order to not be guesstimating there too

[JRscooby]

rhagfo wrote:


JIMNLIN, covers it pretty well! It would be nice to have the “Dry” and GVWR of the 5er then we would have a better idea as to what the pin could weigh in the end.
Also Ford F250’s tend to have soft springs and squat a bit more. Load it up hook it up look at it and weigh it.

IMHO, the only use for "Dry Weight" numbers is to sell too much trailer to a fool. When shopping, the number to look at is the GVWR, and the percentage of that you carry on the hitch. If those number will fit in the ratings of the TV, you can get to good. Load up for a trip, run across the Cat. Drop the trailer, and do it again. Find a 3rd grader to do the arithmetic for you, then decide what you need to leave home.

[rhagfo]

JIMNLIN, covers it pretty well! It would be nice to have the “Dry” and GVWR of the 5er then we would have a better idea as to what the pin could weigh in the end.
Also Ford F250’s tend to have soft springs and squat a bit more. Load it up hook it up look at it and weigh it.

[JIMNLIN]

dodge guy wrote:
You won't know until you hook it up loaded for a trip.

Good advise.
Make a short trip or just load it all up and drive around the block will tell if air bags are needed.

Ford gives your truck a 6340 rawr. You have the 6.2 gasser and have a bit lighter rear axle weight (70-90 lbs) than the 6.7 diesel.
You have the truck so drop by a set of CAT scales and get the trucks front and rear axle weights.
Rear axle numbers may be around 2900-3000 lbs as it comes from the factory. This leaves around 3300 lbs for a in the bed payload.

I would use the trailers GVWR and its dry weight. Some trailers can have 1990 lb hitch weight but after loading may weigh anywhere up to 2800 lbs. Much depends on the trailer mfg CCC. Some trailers that size may have a 3500 lb CCC or 780 lb CCC like my older 11200 lb trailer.

[MLWalton]

Appreciate each comment guys.

[dodge_guy]

You won't know until you hook it up loaded for a trip.

[MFL]

You won't need airbags for a 2K pin, but as weight is added, such as in basement, bedroom closet, under bed, etc, the pin wt will go up. As mentioned above, try it as is, you can add bags later, if needed.

Jerry

[Lynnmor]

The loaded weight will be much more. If you are still within the specs for your truck, then hitch up and see if it sags more than what you find acceptable, if so, add air bags.