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Old 07-30-2015, 02:21 PM   #1
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% pin weight to tires?

I don’t have a 5th wheel camper yet but am wondering what % of the pin weight is applied to the rear axle/tires.....100%, 90%, etc.? I believe the 5th wheel hitches are mounted so the pin sits a few inches in front of the rear axle which is why I ask the question.

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Old 07-30-2015, 02:59 PM   #2
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Fifth wheels typically carry 20% - 25% of their weight on the pin. Occasionally you will see fifth wheels designed with as low as 16% of pin weight (my model is included in that). I haven't heard of any fifth wheels above 25%.

You can actually get a best guess of loaded pin weights by taking the dry pin weight percentage and increasing it by a couple of percent (2-3%).

Very rarely do you see weight added or removed from the truck's front axle.
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Old 07-30-2015, 03:28 PM   #3
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It will be mostly about 98% of pin weight will be applied to towing vehicle rear axle....see thread below with actual weights at Cat scale for a fifth wheel....

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ere-51542.html
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Old 07-30-2015, 06:27 PM   #4
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Depends on the Model. - Factory specs on mine was 1945 pin width a 9900 lbs 5er. Loaded the 5er and the Cat scales says it weights 11,380 with pin weight of 2740 lbs at 24.1%. Below is the link to the cat scale weights.

Actual Weights - Fifth Wheel Weights from CAT Scales - Towing Planner
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Old 07-30-2015, 06:47 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fonzie View Post
It will be mostly about 98% of pin weight will be applied to towing vehicle rear axle....see thread below with actual weights at Cat scale for a fifth wheel....

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ere-51542.html
Fonzie is actually answering the OPs question.

The OP was asking WHERE the pin weight rides on the truck as a percentage of the pin weight.

I would certainly "buy" any number more than 95% on the rear axle and less than 5% on the front.

It will vary by your actual pin location of course; my last scale showed 100% of the pin rode on the rear axle and 0% on the front. The previous weigh showed 100 pounds on the nose and 1350 on the rear (7% - 93%).
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Old 07-30-2015, 06:47 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by ependydad View Post
...Very rarely do you see weight added or removed from the truck's front axle.
Any time the pin weight changes, the trucks front axle weight changes. It might not be much, but it has to change along with the pin weight.
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Old 07-30-2015, 06:52 PM   #7
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...
It will vary by your actual pin of course; my last scale showed 100% of the pin rode on the rear axle and 0% on the front...
I don't doubt your figures, but the front axle scale is certainly questionable. If the pin is in front of the axle.
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Old 07-30-2015, 07:01 PM   #8
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My front axle with 5er was 4980 and without the 5er hook up it was 4740 otherwise front axle increased by 240 lbs.
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Old 07-30-2015, 07:04 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by OldCoot View Post
I don't doubt your figures, but the front axle scale is certainly questionable. If the pin is in front of the axle.
Having trouble uploading images for some reason...

"413 Request Entity Too Large" error ...
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Old 07-30-2015, 07:24 PM   #10
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Hummm, a reboot did not fix my issue.

However I will try to explain what is going on best I can.

The pin load is a "point load" located 0 to 1 inch forward of the axle centerline (depending on make and model of truck) if the hitch is properly installed.

A hitch installed with the pin directly ON axle centerline will show zero to a few pounds on the front axle; A pin located further forward will transfer more of the pin load forward.

I tried to attach the manual for my hitch )which explains the reason they are not all installed "On Centerline") but am getting the same error.
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Old 07-30-2015, 07:54 PM   #11
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Was always told the pin should always be in front of the rear axle and NEVER behind it.
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Old 07-30-2015, 08:25 PM   #12
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[QUOTE=Herk7769;940191]Fonzie is actually answering the OPs question.

The OP was asking WHERE the pin weight rides on the truck as a percentage of the pin weight.

I would certainly "buy" any number more than 95% on the rear axle and less than 5% on the front.

It will vary by your actual pin location of course; my last scale showed 100% of the pin rode on the rear axle and 0% on the front. The previous weigh showed 100 pounds on the nose and 1350 on the rear (7% - 93%).[/QUOTE

Correct Lou. I am looking at a CC 36ckts and my 2015 f350 srw. The most concerning number at this point is the rear tire weight rating.
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Old 07-30-2015, 08:56 PM   #13
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Was always told the pin should always be in front of the rear axle and NEVER behind it.
I am not sure anyone was suggesting that.
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Old 07-30-2015, 09:18 PM   #14
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I am not sure anyone was suggesting that.
Wasn't suggesting that, but it's about the only way adding pin wt would remove wt on the front axle, otherwise, at least theoretically, with the pin directly over or in front of the axle, any pin weight added will add to the front axle.
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Old 07-31-2015, 01:48 AM   #15
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Fonzie is actually answering the OPs question.

The OP was asking WHERE the pin weight rides on the truck as a percentage of the pin weight.

Agreed. I realized afterwards that I only touched on the answer.


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Any time the pin weight changes, the trucks front axle weight changes. It might not be much, but it has to change along with the pin weight.

I can believe that. But it must'nt be enough for the scale increments at CAT scales. I've done a few weighings where that amount hasn't changed.
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Old 07-31-2015, 02:35 AM   #16
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Hmmmm 1/2 T TV light pin chuck chuck chuck put some weight on the pin for better tow, big trucks are always better
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Old 07-31-2015, 07:16 AM   #17
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2,300 pin weight added 20lbs to front axle. Cat scale
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Old 07-31-2015, 08:00 AM   #18
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I would imagine that your pin is very close to being on the center line of the axle.
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Old 07-31-2015, 04:04 PM   #19
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I wonder if you could put a slider on and stretch the camper out, would that make for a softer ride in the truck


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Old 08-01-2015, 02:05 AM   #20
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Trucks I've been around all have the hitch set @ 2" in front of the rear axle centerline. It seems to be an industry standard.
One factor I didn't see mentioned yet is the wheelbase of the truck will change the % of weight transfered to the front axle. The shorter the wheel base, the MORE it will show on the front axle. This will show on the identical trucks except if one is a crew cab long bed Vs. a standard cab short bed.
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