very true about conventional trailers, not so much with a gooseneck

 

Well guys, I'm going to sign off at this point. As I said, I don't worry about the folks who think. I worry about the ones who don't.

Steve

 

I found this in the California Vehicle Code.

It's only a start, and doesn't close a case by itself, but it says that the manufacturer tag is the legal limit.

 

This too.

Definition:

 

Oh crap, you won the beer. I wanted to win the beer!

Steve

 

Lots of good info and I can second RV_Techs concern with some of the RV haulers out there, especially the ones who haul fifth wheelers. As a rule of thumb I try to haul at no more than 80% capacity of the tow vehicles capacity. All of my travel trailers have had 10% to 15% tongue weight but my fifth wheeler is close to 20%. Most trucks can haul a heavier trailer than fiver because of this.
regards
rikard

 

i have a 79 f100 with a 352 and a granny 4 speed tranny not sure about my rearend tho but im looking at pulling some tractors and hay and maybe a horse trailer. so i want to know how much i should be able to pull

 

I have a 2005 F250 6.0 King Ranch Diesel, 4x4, with tow haul. I could not pull that much weight. In fact, I am trying to find out how much I can pull. The manual that came with the truck says 12,500 with crew cab, SWD. The tow chart on this website says I can pull 15,400, but when I put the king pin weight in the calculations it tells me I am over weight for tounge weight. I am looking at a 37' Montanna fifth wheel that weighs 12,600 with a tongue weight of around 2000 lbs. Can I pull it and be within my weight limits? Rear end is a 3.73 with a 6800 pound weight. My salesman says yes of course, that everyone is pulling them with these trucks.

 

Here is the info from the towing guide on the 2005:
6.0L V8 3.73 23,000 12,500 12,500 – – 12,500 12,500 – – 12,500 12,500 – –
Turbo Diesel 23,500 – –
Bumper pull
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...5_F250-350.pdf
5th wheel: 3.73 23,000 16,500 15,800 – – 16,100 15,600 – – 15,900 15,400

Take the wet wt X 15% and that may help zero in on kingpin WT. around 1900 lbs.

 

I guess I'm unclear as to how you are coming up with your trailer weight. Simply using the dry weight on the label is not a good indicator of your actual tow weight it does not include accessories such as the awning and you should anticipate adding about 900 - 1000 pounds of belongings. To actually know if your truck can handle the weight, you have to know what the actual weight is. I routinely encourage folks to weight a trailer before purchase.

It is not uncommon for fifth wheels to run more than 15% on their pin, although I would anticipate you would have at least that on your hitch.

Steve

 

Ok, so I add 1000 pounds bringing my trailer weight to 13600, with the previous figures, is that going to put me over my kingpin weight??? Thanks

 

It depends on the frame, engine and differential gearing. This chart will tell you what you need to know.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...D_F250_350.pdf

 

let add to this. Look at your driver door jamb. That will also have your information about tires and max payload.

Take Max payload and subtract for yourself, family and whatever else you carry and then you know how much you can have for the kingpin weight.

 

I think everyone is saying the same thing in different ways.

First find out the gross vehicle weight rating (GVW) for your truck. Look it up, check the sticker on the truck, etc. That is the maximum amount of weight your truck is capable of stopping and carrying on its axles, wheels, etc. according to the manufacturer.

Its easiest if you fill your truck with fuel, then take it to a truck stop and run it up on their scale. Doing that you know your truck's weight with a full tank and you driving. Next estimate the weight of your passengers, add another 150 pounds for your hitch and maybe a couple of hundred more for what you will throw into the bed when you are towing. That should get you close to your truck's weight ready to tow.

Take that weight and subtract it from the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of your truck and you will know how much weight you can put on the hitch i.e. your pin weight.

Next multiple the gross weight of your trailer by 15% to estimate the weight your trailer will put on your hitch. (I tend to add a 1,000 pounds to the trailer sticker before figuring because I tend not to trust the sticker weights on the trailer, unless I actually weigh it).

Since you know what your truck can handle and about what your trailer is going to add to the truck's weight, you should know if you are over or under the weight rating for your truck.

Did I miss anything?

Steve

 

Great info Steve. Simple and to the point. Saved it to a word file for later.

Thanks