Re: who can help us - we are beginners
sven - 1/9/2009 1:27 PM
Many thanks for your answers.
so I will need at least an 3500 dually with Diesel.
But Charles, please help me with the calculation. The 5th wheel might be max. 15'000 lb. plus the Truck of (curb weight) 7000 lb plus 4 passengers etc. 1000lb = max. Total 23'000. the GCVW is 24'000. So I should be on the save side with about 1'000 lb different? Or does I'm wrong?
Many thanks for your help. Sorry, does I have to ask back...
sven
I don’t know how much knowledge you have concerning weights so I guess I’ll start with the basics. Since we are using some manufacturers declared weights and some estimates, the results will only be a starting point for shopping.
There are several different weights to be considered and NONE of these should be exceeded.
GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) - the maximum the vehicle could weigh when loaded
GAWR (gross axle weight rating) - the maximum the axle could weigh when loaded
GCWR (gross combined weight rating) - the maximum the truck and trailer could weigh including load
Pin weight – the weight resting on the hitch when hooked up
Calculating safe weights.
First you will need to know the front and rear axle weight of the loaded tow vehicle before hitching to the trailer. This weight will include full fuel, passengers, hitch and other miscellaneous cargo. Add the axle weights for total truck weight. If you use the curb weight listed on the manufacturers web sites add weights for the other items listed above. This will probably be close enough but could be off by a few hundred pounds when actually weighed.
Now, subtract truck weight from truck GVWR. Subtract rear axle weight from rear GAWR. The smaller of the two numbers will be the maximum pin weight allowed.
Now subtract the truck weight from GCWR, this will give you the maximum trailer GVW.
Example using my truck:
GVWR – 12,200, Actual weight of my 05 Dodge HD Dually long wheel base 4X4 is 8500 lbs.
GAWR front/rear 5200/9350. Actual axle weights front/rear 4200/4300.
GCWR - 23,000
GVWR minus actual truck weight = 3700 lbs
GAWR rear minus actual axle = 5050 lbs
Maximum allowable pin weight = 3700 lbs
GCWR minus actual truck = 14,500 GVW trailer
(Your weights will be a little different. A 4X4 is a little heavier than a 2 wheel drive. You will have 4 passengers, I have 2 but I'm a BIG person. I have a heavy hitch. On the Dodge web site one page listed GCWR for the 2009 model as 24000, another page listed GCWR as 23000.)
CAMEO LXI - Fifth Wheel F35SB3
Approx. Exterior length 35' 11"
Approx. Dry Axle Weight 9,830
Approx. Hitch Weight (lb) 2,135
Approx. Total Dry Weight (lb) 11,965
Approx. Average Load Capacity (lb)* 3,034
GVWR 14999
Fresh Water Capacity w/ water heater 82 Gal.
Black/Gray Holding Tank Capacity 45/45 Gal
Generally 5th wheel Pin weights are 18/20% of trailer weight. On this particular trailer it is about 18%. Dependant on load distribution and construction (placement of water and holding tanks) the pin weight percentage could change. Based on this percentage pin weight could be 2135 empty to 2700 fully loaded (trailer GVWR *18%).
The dry weight and load capacity – options will increase dry weight and decrease cargo capacity. Propane @4.25 lbs per gal., fresh water @8.3 lb per gal will decrease cargo capacity for personal items – clothing, food, cooking gear etc.
My opinion: keep the weights well below the maximums and you will be safer, more relaxed and have better control while traveling.
Hope this makes sense and hope it helps. Any more questions – just ask.