Hi,

I just got a new Golden Falcon fifth wheel, 32TKS model, and the pin weight is 2,337lbs. Now how do i know if my truck can handle the pin weight. I have a 2000 F-350, PSD, crewcab, shortbox (156inch), SRW, 4X2. I read in the commercial brochure from the Ford Super Duty's, and it says my Max payload is 1,948lbs. How do i know if i am over my max weight or not. The fifth wheel itself weighs 8,500lbs dry, and 13,800lbs loaded. Any help about pin weights, and what i'm allowed to have would be great. thanks

Mark

 

The only way to find out for sure what your payload is is to go to a public scale. Weigh the truck and passengers ready to travel full tanks etc. I would also weight the rear axle weight by getting a second weight with the front wheels off the scale. Subtract the total weight from the gross vehicle weight rating to get your maximum payload capacity. At the scales I go to, a non certified weight is free. Otherwise there might be a small charge, $5 at my scales. Next hitch up the trailer, weigh the truck with the trailer off the scale but ready to travel. Pull up just far enough to put both truck axles on the scale but trailer axles all off the scale. Don't drive very far or very fast if you suspect you are overloaded. The difference between the truck without trailer and the truck with the trailer (but trailer off the scale)is your actual pin weight. Add your pin weight which is mostly on your rear axle to the weight you got previously for the rear of the truck to get you actual rear axle weight. If the truck scales can measure each axle separately you can get a more accurate rear axle weight while hitched up. It may not be possible to put just the rear wheels but not the trucks front wheels and not the trailer wheels on some scales while hitched up. You can adjust your pin weight some by moving around stored cargo in the trailer. You do need to have more than %10 of the trailer weight on standard hitch for stable towing. Probably more on a 5th wheel.

So here are some things to check. Make sure the two rear tires can carry the trucks rear axle load hitched up. There is a label on the tire. There is not much safety margin here. If not upgrade the tires. (My BFG 285x16 all terrains hold 3,300 lbs each). Make sure the rear wheels can carry the rear axle load (my Mickey Thompson rear wheels are rated at 3,000 lbs each. The rear axle has a separate rating (on my Dana 60 rear axle its about 6,500 lbs). Check to see that you have adequate bump travel on the rear axle with the trailer hitched up. If not upgrade Springs. You will probably find that you are overloaded. Upgrade to a dually rear wheel or upgrade springs wheels and tires and axle if neccesary.

My buddy had a similar truck as yours. He routinely carried a 3,000 lb camper and generator with it. He did upgrade the wheels and tires. Rear Springs seemed to be sufficiently stiff as he had the overload spring setup.

My scales are located at a steel yard where they sell steel tubing and sheet as well as scrap.

 

Well, i figured out my problem. The brochure that i looked at was the Canadian one, which is in kilograms (kg). So my payload in pounds is 4,300lbs! Now i know that i'm within specs. I thought already, if it were truly only 1950lbs, that would be really sad, but alas, its 4300lbs, so its all good now. Thanks for your reply, and i will be going to the scales to do what you said, just so i know what the exact weights are, because i am very curious!

Mark

 

Mark- you might take that payload rating with a grain of salt. It may apply to the regular cab with few options unless it states specifically for your model and options. I made a post on the slide in camper thread to explain this. Glad you plan to weigh it.