Chaparral 360IBL with Duramax 3500HD

[parver]

New to camping. Looking to buy a fifth wheel. Wasn't really sure what we wanted when bought the truck, so I just went with a one ton diesel Chevy. Now we have our search narrowed down including the Chaparral 360IBL. I am planning on putting a companion hitch in. I haven't really looked at the weights on everything. Where do I get started with that? Thanks

[spock123]

Is that 3500 a dually?

[parver]

Originally Posted by spock123

Is that 3500 a dually?

Sorry, that would of helped! Not a dually

Edit: also sorry, it's a 2011 3500HD. Thanks

[parver]

Just in case this ever helps anyone... I went through all this. I know you need to get a scale to get true numbers, but this is what estimated:

My 360IBL GVWR is 14,000

The max towing for my 2011 Chevy 3500 Crew cab long bow SRW 4x4 is 16,800

So I am good on that.

My truck has a GVWR of 11,600 lbs and a empty weight of 7,516 for a payload of 4,085 lb.

For occupants + weight of hitch + misc, I came up with 830 lbs. So I have 4,085 lb - 830 lb = 3,255 lb of extra payload

For the specs on this 360IBL, that say the "hitch weight" is 2,100 lb. So that looks like a pin weight of 15% (2100 / 14000). That seems on the low end, doesn't it? I'm not sure how accurate that number is... is there somewhere to read that on the trailer?

If it's 15% (2,100 lbs), I am well within my spare payload of 3,255 lbs.

At 20% my pin weight is 2,800 lbs, still good

At 25% my pin weight is 3,500 lbs... which is pushing it... so hopefully the 15% is more accurate.

I know I didn't get many replies to this thread but I was just in the start of my research. Having looked over everything, wanted to get some feedback on my numbers but I look good. Also left this here in case it helps someone down the road!

[ependydad]

You’re close. To find out the designed-in pin weight percentage, you take the 2,100 and divide if by unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) of 11,450.

This gives you 18.3%.

It is common for this to increase 1-3% as you load up.

So, 20% is likely a fair estimate of actual wet pin weight for that rig.

[parver]

Originally Posted by ependydad

You’re close. To find out the designed-in pin weight percentage, you take the 2,100 and divide if by unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) of 11,450.

This gives you 18.3%.

It is common for this to increase 1-3% as you load up.

So, 20% is likely a fair estimate of actual wet pin weight for that rig.

Oh ok thanks, I thought the pin weight went on the loaded up max. So 20% of the unloaded? For my unloaded it's 11,390 lbs. So 2,278 lbs which should be OK for me.

Might be overthinking this! They give you the 2,100 lbs "hitch weight", wouldn't most people be inclined just to use that?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by parver

Oh ok thanks, I thought the pin weight went on the loaded up max. So 20% of the unloaded? For my unloaded it's 11,390 lbs. So 2,278 lbs which should be OK for me.

Might be overthinking this! They give you the 2,100 lbs "hitch weight", wouldn't most people be inclined just to use that?

No, you calculate the unloaded pin weight percentage based on the dry weights and then multiply that by your expected loaded/wet weight.

So, assuming you load the camper to it’s max of 14,000 lbs, that means your actual pin weight would be 2,800 lbs. if you only load up to 13,000 lbs, your estimated pin weight would be 2,600 lbs.

See if this tool helps:
Estimating Tongue/Pin Weight from Dry Weights - Towing Planner

[chaps2018]

Agree with above. The pin weight provided should be paired with the unloaded trailer weight to get the ballpark ratio. Then apply the ratio to the loaded weight to get the ballpark pin weight. Of course that does not comprehend how you load the trailer so it will differ a bit.

My 360IBL scale weights:

12620# loaded (empty tanks)
2620# Pin weight
21% Actual Pin weight ratio

[67L48]

Originally Posted by parver

[...] They give you the 2,100 lbs "hitch weight", wouldn't most people be inclined just to use that?

Yes, they absolutely would ... and are ... and eventually do use that weight. That's how people end up making poor decisions and being overweight. It's the fallacy of using dry weights. It's bad business for people who do it.

As stated, you have to move from dry weights to real weights. Scale as a percentage and maybe add a point or two.

Good luck.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by chaps2018

Agree with above. The pin weight provided should be paired with the unloaded trailer weight to get the ballpark ratio. Then apply the ratio to the loaded weight to get the ballpark pin weight. Of course that does not comprehend how you load the trailer so it will differ a bit.

My 360IBL scale weights:

12620# loaded (empty tanks)
2620# Pin weight
21% Actual Pin weight ratio

Taking your actual weight of 12,620 and what the TowingPlanner calculator estimates. I'm really pleased to see that it was almost spot on.

Estimating Tongue/Pin Weight from Dry Weights - Towing Planner

Estimated Pin/Tongue Weight: 2,688 pounds

The tool works!

I am surprised that you get a full 3% jump in pin weight. I would have thought that layout was a little lower with the rear dual slides. But looking and thinking about it again, I'd bet most of your storage is in front of the axles.

[chaps2018]

Originally Posted by ependydad

...I'd bet most of your storage is in front of the axles.

You are correct. Very little storage behind the axles (not willing to put much in the slides either ;-)

I probably should move the two under frame-mounted spare tires to the rear of the axles...its on my list.