My point was being a toy hauler really doesn't effect mine. 200 difference loaded to unloaded is very minimal. On mine, it's all about axle placement.

 

Totally agree. We've towed our Excel, 3000+ pin weight, for many thousands of miles, including two cross-country trips, with no issues.

Rob

 

Rodney, I'm guessing the third axle plays a big part of the weight distribution on your rig. The old 20% rule of thumb was probably a good ballpark for the four tire rigs.

 

Actually, no it's not the 3rd axle as far as pin weight goes. There are 2-3 other brands of TH that have my identical floorplan and are triple axle. All of them have a pin 1000-1500# heavier than mine. It's all about the axle placement on the rig. Mine are just more forward than other brands.

 

I guess my point was that, with the addition of a third axle, the load capacity of the axles is increased by fifty percent which allows for adjustment of the axle placement to relieve some of the load from the pin.

 

I follow you now. I was still hung up on the pin weight for the OP. XLR actually dumped most of their floorplans with super light pins like mine. I'm glad I got mine when I did as they were the only ones in the market to have it that way.

 

Rodney, I'm surprised there aren't more fifth wheels with the lower pin weight designs. I think duallys are cool, but my truck is my daily driver so I prefer to stick with a SRW. These trucks will tow anything you can hook to them, but the tires have their limits.

To the OP, my fiver pin weighs in at 3000 lbs according to the CAT scales. That puts my drive axle at 6600 lbs. I feel pretty comfortable with that. When I buy new tires, I will get the 295 65r20s that are good for over 4000 lbs each so that I can gain a bit of margin there. I have Firestone Ride Rite air bags that I absolutely love. The rear of my truck doesn't go below level without them, but the overloads are engaged. I like to air the bags up just enough to keep it off of the overloads. Makes for a less bouncy ride.

 

Thanks for all of you SRW guys posting. Makes me feel a lot better. Like Rodney, I chose my TH based a lot on the lighter than normal pin weight (2800 lbs).

 

As Steve said thanks to all the SRW guys for the comments...

OK so had the hitch installed and took her to the scales...




Camper 2016 Fuzion Impact 361 Specifications
Sleeps 8
Slides 3
Length 39 ft
Ext Width8 ft
Ext Height13 ft 1 in
Interior ColorSanta Fe
HitchWeight 3115 lbs
Dry Weight 12820 lbs
Cargo Weight 4180 lbs
Fresh Water Capacity 88 gals
Grey Water Capacity 84 gals
Black Water Capacity 60 gals
Tire SizeST235/80R16E
GeneratorOnan 5.5

Weight from yesterday without the camper
Steering Axle = 4,900
Drive Axle = 3,560
Gross Weight = 8460


Today with camper
Steering Axle 5,000
Drive Axle 6,600
Trailer Axle 9660
Gross Weight 21,250


So Pin Weight.... (camper advertised at 3,115 lb pin weight)
GVWR 11,500 (from door sticker)
GVWR 11,500 minus Gross Weight of truck 8460 = 3,040 left for pin weight


Actual Pin Weight
Drive axle with camper 6,600 minus Drive axle without camper 3,560 = 3,040 actual pin weight (how in the hell did that happen???)


Rear GAWR = 7,000 lb (from sticker)
Actual weight with camper 6,600


GCWR 23,500 (from manual)
Actual with camper 21,250 leaving 2,250 for cargo


Not sure you can load a truck closer to the limits than that...
Air bags go on tomorrow

 

Nice job with this evaluation. You should be in great shape.

 

Yep, no worries there at all! Glad it worked out for you. Be sure to post up pics when she's yours!

 

Just a note, you did add 100 lbs to your steer axle as well, so your pin weight was actually 3140 (25 over their estimate which is pretty darn accurate) and you are actually over GVWR by 100 lbs. With that said, both your axle weights look good, so I think you're good. Congrats on the new rig!

Sorry, didn't mean to burst your bubble on the exactness of the numbers.

 

After hitting the scales with my piggish 2017, I'll be over my GVWR this time around too by a hundred or two. Here I was thinking I'd be good to rub it in the weight police's face now that my GCWR matches my setup. (Which was the only thing I was over with my 2012.) Oh well, I traded GVWR for GCWR...

 

great that some of that went to the front axle, a good thing. Better steering input. You might find that your pin wt will increase a little when you add water and the devil donuts to the black water tank.


But you are fine. Water if I recall is 8.6 lbs per gallon btw.


I hold a 100 gallons in mine, it adds up quickly.

 

Hopefully, Bob's water tanks are like mine Scott... right over the axles so they don't affect pin. But you're right, if they are forward, they will add some to the pin. Full waste tanks will too as you point out. Filling the propane tanks up front will also as well as loading camping gear in the pass though storage and filling the bedroom with clothes, etc. Loading the garage should offset that some too though. It's a balance but Bob is close enough that he won't have to worry.