Hi from Colorado - Towing Capacity Question

[VickieP]

Er. . . [can't help it] . . . is Mitch tall?

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What do you think?



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Let's just say, that pic is Photoshopped, she's much shorter in real life!

[mitch5252]

Let's just say, that pic is Photoshopped, she's much shorter in real life!

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I don't eve know how to use PhotoShop...
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[LeonineThor]

oh dear Just returned from buying the truck and then saw MelissaD's reply. We are looking at a Keystone camper that is made for the 1/2ton trucks...and even within that series we are looking at a smaller camper. When I get the hitch installed I know I will get extra airbags...what exactly that means or does, I have no idea, but I hear and am told by everyone that is necessary. Brake system is definitely a done deal. So, my gut tells me I will be ok....but this may help make my decision between the 2 lighter campers even THAT much easier

[MelissaD]

Now that you have the truck you can get the numbers off it and know what the limits will be in your trailer selection. Remember that the pin weight will be 20-25% of the trailers weight. Take your truck with full fuel tanks and the family in it to a truck stop or somewhere like a junk yard with a scale and weigh your truck. Have them tell you what each axle weighs. The trucks GVWR (probably listed in the owners manual) minus the trucks weight is what you have left for pin and hitch weight. If the truck is out of warranty look at the rear axle weight rating (on door column by drivers seat) Subtract the axle rating from the rear axle weight when you weighed it. That difference will be how much you can put in the bed legally. Ensure your tires are rated to carry the maximum axle rating. On the side wall of the tire is its rating. Tire rating x 2 (2 tire) should exceed the axle rating. Some people save money on tires by buying lighter rated tires when they don't plan to tow.

You will be limited by pin weight as to how big of a trailer you can pull. Your truck should easily pull an 8,000# trailer. Supporting the pin or hitch weight will be the limit.

http://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Firestone/F2250.html If the rear squats with the trailer on it you might need to have a set of air bags installed over the rear axle. Mine cost me around $900 installed. Your husband might be able to install them and save you some money. I'm of an age I pay mechanics to do these things for me.

Don't recall if you gave the year of your truck but the newer the truck the more it will carry/tow. Several years ago the big three started a towing war and rating went up a lot since then. This might help http://rvingwithmarkpolk.com/2012/03/21/caution-why-truck-tow-ratings-dont-add-up/

[mitch5252]

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Melissa, in your first paragraph, you said "pin AND hitch weight".
What's the pin?
When you first used that word, I assumed "hitch".

Thanks.
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[MelissaD]

On the front of a 5th wheel trailer is what is known as a pin box (think trailer tongue). It contains the king pin which latches into the jaws of the 5th wheel hitch attaching the truck to the trailer. The hitch is the part that bolts into the bed of the truck and weights about 200# depending upon model.

How a 5th wheel hooks up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TjF5HrWRAI

The pin weight is the weight of the trailer resting on the 5th wheel hitch or "tongue weight" of a 5th wheel trailer. If the pin weight is too light the trailer will rock back and forth, front to back or "porpoise" as it goes down the road. With 5th wheel trailers most people will exceed the pin weight capacity of their truck before their towing limit.

Where tongue weight is normally 10-15% on a travel trailer, weight a 5th whee'ls tongue or pin weight is 20-25%.

On a side note there are many styles of hitches and pin boxes. Some with air bags for a better ride and designed to slide to allow a sharper turn with a short bed truck.

On my trailer I changed the pin box out for the "Reese Goose Box" which allows me to use a gooseneck style hitch in the bed of my truck (like a horse trailer). I have a" B&W turn over ball hitch" in my truck so I can turn the ball over in my bed and I will have a "clean" bed available to carry things when not pulling the trailer. The hitch mounts below the floor of the bed so only the ball and chain mounts stick through the bed of the truck. Reese Goose Box https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYPzd-KFN3U B&W turn over ball hitch http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/turnover-ball-gooseneck-hitch?gclid=CNWhiJOXr7kCFdAWMgodmHMAgA

On my trailer, my pin weight is around 2,700# or 22.5% of the trailer. My trailer weighs around 12,000#. Every spring I reweigh it when I've loaded all our stuff for the season.

Hope that clears it up.

[LeonineThor]

If the rear squats with the trailer on it you might need to have a set of air bags installed over the rear axle. Mine cost me around $900 installed. Your husband might be able to install them and save you some money. I'm of an age I pay mechanics to do these things for me.

OMG, I am laughing so hard I almost peed myself and couldn't even read any further.....my husband knows exactly ZERO about anything mechanically involved! I did not marry the man for what he can do for me in this arena....but he makes it so I can afford to pay someone else

Ok, I digress...I will now read with intent and composure.......

Darcy

[MelissaD]

I did not marry the man for what he can do for me in this arena....but he makes it so I can afford to pay someone else

Darcy

That will work

[carolb]

Welcome Darcy Glad to hear the DH has finally gotten the bug! I don't tow, so I have no advice there. Hope you find what you want & enjoy many happy miles with the family!

[MelissaD]

http://free.fifthwheelst.com/tow-rating01.htm You might find this site helpful. You can also find tow spec's for your truck on here.