More Weight Questions F250 and Cougar 5er

[TN Traveler]

Using the numbers below:
Is my RV weight (with my hitch) 5460 or 7000 or ?
How do I determine PIN weight?
Do I need to separate my hitch weight from the RV weight?
Are more numbers/data needed?

CAT Scale Truck Weights without 5th Wheel hitch:
Steer Axle: 3940
Drive Axle: 3060
Trailer Axle: 0
Gross Weight: 7000

CAT Scale Weights with 5th Wheel included:
Steer Axle: 3940
Drive Axle: 4600
Trailer Axle: 5460
Gross Weight: 14000

[Javi]

1600 pound pin weight

[slow]

Since steer axle weights are the same with and without FW:

Pin weight = 4600-3060=1540 lbs

FW weight = 1540+5460=7000 lbs

[JRTJH]

The only variable I can see is the hitch. You didn't state what kind of hitch you have and whether it was "in the truck" during the empty truck weight. If it was included, then the 1540 is your trailer pin weight. If, on the other hand, the truck was weighed (without hitch), then the hitch installed and the trailer coupled, that 1540 is trailer pin PLUS hitch weight. Otherwise, it looks like a "clean weight:

Truck weighs 7000 pounds with the hitch in the bed and trailer weighs 7000 pounds, 1540 on the pin and 5460 on the axles.

[TN Traveler]

Thanks to all for your input.
John - the 7K weight on the truck was without my B&W Companion Slider, which weighs 280. I surely don't want to over think this but...

The PIN weight calculates to 1540 (including the hitch) wouldn't the PIN weight without the hitch be 1540 minus 280?

[Javi]

Originally Posted by TN Traveler

Thanks to all for your input.
John - the 7K weight on the truck was without my B&W Companion Slider, which weighs 280. I surely don't want to over think this but...

The PIN weight calculates to 1540 (including the hitch) wouldn't the PIN weight without the hitch be 1540 minus 280?

Yes... curious... what 5th wheel has a pin weight of 1260... is that dry or ready for travel?

[TN Traveler]

Originally Posted by Javi

Yes... curious... what 5th wheel has a pin weight of 1260... is that dry or ready for travel?

My 26RLS - completely dry...if I am doing the calculations correctly

[JRTJH]

That's why I asked the question about the hitch....

Yes, if the hitch was NOT in the truck when it was weighed, and IS in the truck for the rig weight, then the "hitch and pin" weigh 1540. If the hitch weighs 280, then the actual trailer pin weight is 1260 pounds. That's about 18% of the trailer weight (7000) which is "on the light side" but acceptable.

The specs for your trailer are:

Dry Weight 6,583 lbs.
Payload Capacity 3,362 lbs.
GVWR 9,945 lbs.
Hitch Weight 1,145 lbs.

So, with a "wet weight of 6720 pounds" (subtract the 280 lb hitch) it looks like you weighed the trailer empty ????

If you consider the dry weight of the trailer (6583) and add 60 for propane and 50 for a battery, you'll come up with 6693. Your weight of 7000 - 280 (hitch) is 6720, just 27 pounds more than the "empty weight with full propane tanks and battery".....

The weights you currently have (empty trailer weight) won't do you much good when you start towing because everything you put in the truck and in the trailer will add to the weights you posted.

You'll likely never tow at the weights posted.

I'd suggest you load the trailer for a trip, fill the fresh water tank and then reweigh. You already know the "empty truck weights by axle" so no need to unhitch and weigh the truck again. Just remember to deduct the hitch weight from the trailer weight and add it to the truck rear axle weight to get the accurate "empty truck with hitch installed weight. Then you'll know how your trailer axles stand, what the pin really weighs and approximately how much "cargo" you'll be carrying. That'll give you some "real world" data to consider.

[TN Traveler]

John - I appreciate your detailed responses as I learn about these numbers. The specs for my RV are just what you've indicated.

RV was weighed with full propane and a new battery. For full disclosure, I've removed a bit of the factory furnishings and made some minor adjustments that show up in that minimal PIN weight - on purpose - to reduce weight by removing items I'm not likely to utilize.

I'm now ready to load and prepare for our first extended trip - thus I really want to understand the numbers and do my best to ensure we travel as safely as possible.

I've also upgraded tires, increasing the load range by a letter more than factory original. That upgrade should allow me an additional margin of safety. I still don't want to be overloaded.

More numbers from the RV sticker:
GVWR: 9945
GAWR (Each Axle): 4400
Cargo Carrying Capacity: 3194
The weight of cargo should never exceed 3425

There are lots of numbers for this new RVer to consider . Heck, I don't understand the Cargo Capacity numbers above having a 231 pound spread.

[JRTJH]

I can't tell you where (or why) there's a 231 pound difference between "payload" and "maximum cargo". I'd suspect it's something to do with the way the model was designed/constructed/equipped/outfitted. What I mean by that is the "advertised weights are for the entire model line" and do not take into account any optional equipment, spare tire, tire rack, etc. The "certification label on YOUR trailer" should be "unit specific" and should be exactly what YOUR trailer weighs, can carry and takes into account ALL OEM equipment, but not any dealer added or owner added items. So, I'd use the certification label on your trailer to base all your calculations.

Keep in mind that you're talking about 231 pounds on a 9945 pound GVW trailer, so essentially that's around 2% of the trailer GVW. Something to be aware of, but honestly, if you're loading and operating the trailer "that close to GVW, you really need to figure out what you can leave at home. As an example, imagine the dump station at a campground is out of order when you're leaving and you will have to tow with a full gray tank. In that situation, you're going to be over your GVW.

I think you're going about it the right way, weighing your truck/trailer and making conscious, informed decisions about what to load and how to load it. Don't get "wrapped up" in 200 pounds (trying to find it on the label). It's more important to get your trailer load balanced so you're around 20% pin weight, heavy items are loaded "near the floor" and tires are aired up to maximum sidewall pressure (in your case with LRE tires, that's 80 PSI).

[beeje]

Your camper pin weight really does not matter to much, all by itself. What matters is the combination of your trailer pin weight/anything in the bed of the truck (inc the hitch) /anything in side the cab of the truck (inc driver and passengers). All of that together should not exceed the cargo carrying capacity of your truck.