Help with 5th wheel weight-figuring issues !!

[coodle0216]

We are fulltimers. The dealer brochure on the 5th wheel we live in states the following:
Shipping Weight - 7090
Carrying Capacity - 2910
GVWR - 10,000
Hitch - 1240
To us this means:
7090 + 2910 = 10,000
7090 is the total 5th wheel weight
2910 is the total we can add to it
10,000 is the GVWR
Why is the hitch listed separate? Do we need to add that weight to the shipping weight? But if we do then the totals don't add up.
Also....
The 5th wheel we have been looking at to maybe purchase states on their site:
Dry Axle Weight - 7782
Dry Hitch Weight - 1868
Gross Dry Weight - 9650
Carrying Capacity - 3750
GVWR - 13,400
Here the figures add up as this:
7782 + 1868 = 9650 + 3750 = 13,400
Why do they have the hitch weight listed separate? Which amount do you use to figure "shipping weight"? Do we add our "load transfer weight"(our stuff) to the 7782 or the 9650?
We know that the dealer listed weights are on the light side - that doesn't matter. We just want to know what figures to use in our calculations so we don't overload our trucks GVWR.

We would appreciate any help.

[deckie49]

Figuring weight issues has got to be the most befuddling and confusing issue I have ever come across, and I am a supposedly well educated person! Fortunately, I found a smartphone app that takes all the confusion and guesswork out of it. The app is called "fifth wheel st." Just plug in the weight ratings of your fifth wheel. Then go to a CAT scale, get your weights, punch in the numbers and the app does everything else! It is a great app! Fifth Wheel St. also has a website calculator too, but for me the app is the way to go. Hope this is helpful.

[Old-Biscuit]

Those numbers.......7782 and 9650 are 'dry' weights (one is dry axle and other is dry trailer total).

You will only tow that trailer dry once....on the way home from dealership.

After that the weight goes up.......trailer loaded up with your stuff, fresh water etc. etc. Trailer is no longer 'dry'

Trailer has a GVWR of 13,400# (max that trailer can weigh rating)
Once you load it up with stuff it will be in the 11,000--12,000# weight.
A little here, a little there....it all adds up quickly. Folks just don't realize how much stuff they actually put in their rigs and what it turns out weighing.

Especially FTng....
We weighed our truck/trailer every year just so that we knew and could avoid the 'weight creep' that can so easily occur.

1 bag in--------2 bags out :B

[coodle0216]

Thanks for all your information!! Yes, with the truck and 5th wheel we have we are right below our limit. We were just looking at 4-season 5th wheels to see if we could possibly change to one and keep our current truck (excellent condition, low milage and paid for!). But the listed weights were confusing and we wanted to make sure we were looking at it right.

If we could use the 7782 weight, then we would be just a little over our limit.
If we have to use the 9650 weight, then we would definitely be over our limit.

RV makers use different wordings and that is where the confusion comes in.

Again, thanks for all your information and time.

[Old-Biscuit]

According to your post back on 6/29/2014......LINK you are very close on weights on your 2009 GMC 2500HD with your current 10,000# GVWR 2012 Keystone Cougar XLite 27RKS 5th wheel.

And now you want to go with a 13,400 GVWR 5vr :H

[mdamerell]

coodle0216 wrote:
Why is the hitch listed separate? Do we need to add that weight to the shipping weight? But if we do then the totals don't add up.
Also....
The 5th wheel we have been looking at to maybe purchase states on their site:
Dry Axle Weight - 7782
Dry Hitch Weight - 1868
Gross Dry Weight - 9650
Carrying Capacity - 3750
GVWR - 13,400
Here the figures add up as this:
7782 + 1868 = 9650 + 3750 = 13,400
Why do they have the hitch weight listed separate? Which amount do you use to figure "shipping weight"? Do we add our "load transfer weight"(our stuff) to the 7782 or the 9650?
We know that the dealer listed weights are on the light side - that doesn't matter. We just want to know what figures to use in our calculations so we don't overload our trucks GVWR.

We would appreciate any help.

The hitch weight is listed separate you so have an idea of how much the truck needs to carry.

Quickest way is to take the GVWR of trailer 13,400# x 0.20 (average pin weight) = 2,680# is what the truck needs to carry. This is at the trailers max weight. Most people don't load to gross.

If you wish to get a little fancier 1868#(dry hitch)/ 9650#(dry gross weight) = 0.19 or 19% pin weight the way this trailer is made. It varies, mine runs about 22%. So the 20% rule of thumb is a good ball park. Depending upon how you load your trailer this will vary a little.

You add your stuff's weight to the dry gross weight of 9,650#. As full timers you will probably add 1,000-1,500# of stuff. So your loaded weight will probably be around 11,000# or so with a pin weight of around 2,200# give or take.

If your truck can carry the 2,200#, plus the hitch (200#), you and your stuff your should be good to go.

[rhagfo]

coodle0216 wrote:
We are fulltimers. The dealer brochure on the 5th wheel we live in states the following:
Shipping Weight - 7090
Carrying Capacity - 2910
GVWR - 10,000
Hitch - 1240
To us this means:
7090 + 2910 = 10,000
7090 is the total 5th wheel weight
2910 is the total we can add to it
10,000 is the GVWR
Why is the hitch listed separate? Do we need to add that weight to the shipping weight? But if we do then the totals don't add up.
Also....
The 5th wheel we have been looking at to maybe purchase states on their site:
Dry Axle Weight - 7782
Dry Hitch Weight - 1868
Gross Dry Weight - 9650
Carrying Capacity - 3750
GVWR - 13,400
Here the figures add up as this:
7782 + 1868 = 9650 + 3750 = 13,400
Why do they have the hitch weight listed separate? Which amount do you use to figure "shipping weight"? Do we add our "load transfer weight"(our stuff) to the 7782 or the 9650?
We know that the dealer listed weights are on the light side - that doesn't matter. We just want to know what figures to use in our calculations so we don't overload our trucks GVWR.

We would appreciate any help.

As stated above hitch is the portion of the DRY weight on the pin.

You need to add the transfer load (Your Stuff) to the 9,650# DRY GVW, I would also add about 15% to that actual weight as the new unit is likely bigger so you will add more stuff.
Next question is what is your tow vehicle? That will also play a roll in if you should be looking at the rig.

Keep in mind the 5er has a 3,400# GVWR, which is about 1/3 more than the old rig.

[dbbls]

Hitch weight is the amount of the shipping weight that is carried by the truck on the hitch. This will change as you add items to the unit. Shipping weight and dry weight are the same. Some of the weight you add with your "stuff" will be carried on the hitch, the rest by the axles. Carrying capacity includes the weight of accessories' added to the unit by the dealer and yourself, including the water and propane, second battery, etc.