Quote:
Originally Posted by Govols
I know I'm being a pain but just trying to understand. I should load the 5er just like i normally would and take it to the scales and figure out the pin weight from there? Does it matter where the weight is in the 5er? The only cargo hold is in front of the axles. Does that add to the pin weight or does it matter?
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My take on loading a 5er is that weight behind the axles lessens the pin weight. It's simple geometry. The axles are a fulcrum, like a teeter totter. The further away from the fulcrum you put weight, the less weight on the other side of the fulcrum.
So, if you are buying a toy hauler, putting a motorcycle in the back will lessen the pin weight on the front. Additionally, WHERE you put the motorcycle in the back will determine the amount of weight in the front.
Be careful with the ratios of front to back weights. A traditional trailer is best loaded 60/40, with the 60% being in the front. You definitely don't want the weight in the back. I did that once and almost lost the trailer.
A fifth wheel is more forgiving, but you still need to take this into account. But my thinking is that if your pin weight is too much because you have too much stuff in the front, shifting it back behind the wheels will relieve some of that. But if you put too much stuff in your fiver, you will overload the entire frame, even if your pickup can tow that much weight!