Need help with the numbers

[RobH063]

I'm buying a FR Salem Hemisphere 5th wheel (286RL) and have a Chevy 2500HD truck with 6.5' bed. I'll be adding about 1,250 LBS of stuff in the camper and Add 600 LBS for me, wife, bed liner, tonneau cover, hitch weight in/on the truck. Numbers are as follows. Am I going to be ok?

5th Wheel
Pin Weight 1625
Axle Weight 6815
UVW 8499
CCC 2086

Truck
Payload 2892
Max tow 17,900
TLR WGHT 14,500
GVWR 9200
GAWR Front 5200
GAWR Rear 6200
Tires - Michelin LTX AT2 10 Ply Load Range E

[dwayneb236]

Correct me if I'm wrong but with a fifth wheel you aren't going to be able to use a tonneau cover I'm thinking.

[BandJCarm]

When not connected, sure. I have a Retrax. Soft one works too.

[dwayneb236]

Makes sense. Didn't think of a soft roll up. Was just thinking of the hard covers that hinge up.

[RobH063]

The Tonneau is a BakFlip so it folds right up to the cab.

[Chappy31rla]

I would think you should be ok, but I am no expert, just went through this recently with my new 5th wheel. Towing weight should be no problem. Payload: assuming the stuff you put in the trailer gets distributed reasonably, only 20-30% of it should go to the truck. Adding pin weight, 20% gear and truck stuff (1625+.2*1250+600) = 2,375 which is about 82% of payload capacity (2,892).

[CaptnJohn]

We always lose at payload 1st. The rule I always go by is 20% of gross 5er weight on the pin. In your example, 10,500# X 20% 2100#. Add 2100 + 600 and you are near the trucks payload. You will need to check the rear axel at the scales but look to be OK, just not a huge amount of cushion. Forget all published pin weights that do not include propane and battery. Your 600# estimate may be low as well on many possibilities. The SB likes a slider hitch and a good one like the B&W will weigh about 225# alone.

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by RobH063

5th Wheel
Pin Weight 1625
Range E

Is this loaded pin weight or dry(marketing) pin weight?

[ependydad]

I took the specs from here:
http://www.forestriverinc.com/produc...delID=846#Main

And ran it through my estimator/calculator:
Estimating Tongue/Pin Weight from Dry Weights - Towing Planner

You're realistically looking at a little over 2,000 lbs of pin weight once you're loaded up.

Subtracting that from your payload of 2,892 (which I assume came from the tire&load capacity sticker on the door jamb) gives you a remaining ballpark of 800 lbs. Minus the 600 for you, wife, hitch, and misc means you should be right at, but under, GVWR.

[BandJCarm]

Here's my new calculator/estimator:

A) Figure out your Payload on YOUR truck.

B) Add all the weight of everything in your truck including Kinpin.

C) If A < B, sell all you own and get a bigger truck.

D) If A > B, forget scales and everything else. I'll bet you something nice you're fine.

[RobH063]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Is this loaded pin weight or dry(marketing) pin weight?

That number is the dry(marketing) pin weight

[RobH063]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I took the specs from here:
Salem Hemisphere GLX 286RL Fifth Wheels / Travel Trailers by Forest River RV

And ran it through my estimator/calculator:
Estimating Tongue/Pin Weight from Dry Weights - Towing Planner

You're realistically looking at a little over 2,000 lbs of pin weight once you're loaded up.

Subtracting that from your payload of 2,892 (which I assume came from the tire&load capacity sticker on the door jamb) gives you a remaining ballpark of 800 lbs. Minus the 600 for you, wife, hitch, and misc means you should be right at, but under, GVWR.

So, although it would work, it isn't an ideal situation. Correct?

[card16]

BandJCarm you've got this right, unbelievable prices on trucks that have the decent tow capacity.

C) If A < B, sell all you own and get a bigger truck.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by RobH063

So, although it would work, it isn't an ideal situation. Correct?

I wouldn’t have any issue getting behind the wheel. So long as you’re under the numbers, you should be good to go.

While I like to stay within ratings, I do believe trucks are generally over-built for what they’re rated for. Trailers, on the underhand, are overrated.