SRW pin weights ?

boaterman · 12-28-2005, 02:21 PM

Just weighed my 05 SRW 3500 ram diesel loaded for the road with full fuel. The truck weighs 7900#. From what I see on the doorframe of the truck the max GVW is 9900#.
The truck weight, with 5th wheel loaded is 10,300#. This tells me that I’m over 400#. Pin weight 2400#. All other weights are well within limits. The truck sets level and you hardly know you are towing a 5th wheel.

Now the question -- Am I missing something? I read all the forums and observe people everywhere towing heaver 5ers than mine with SRW 2500 and 3500 trucks. I would like to hear from other SRW drivers on this subject.

This is the best truck I’ve ever had and I want to keep it, and I really like the SRW.

CampingCaptain · 12-28-2005, 03:53 PM

Hi Gary and Judy,

I think what you need to look at is not whether or not your truck sits level with the trailer attached. From what I have learned from reading posts on this site and others is to check the weight rating of the tires on your Dodge. Others have posted stories of their tires overheating due to being overloaded. Overheating can lead to tire failure which can be scary when towing a trailer.

I'm sure you will hear from others on this subject also.

Stacy W. · 12-28-2005, 04:24 PM

Have you actually weighed your 5th wheel? We did and our Combined weight is about 500 lbs above the truck's rating and that doesn't concern me. You can reduce your pin weight by moving stuff to the back of the trailer - if storage allows.

boaterman · 12-29-2005, 12:45 PM

The total tire load rating is 12,780#.

The only weight that is over limits is the Truck GVW with the 5er hitched.

The truck MGAW weights are way under max load. Total truck MGAW=11,350#

The Truck MGVW is 9900# and loaded with everything including the 5er it weighs 10,300#. ???

Need more input................

Tankx

Hobo · 12-29-2005, 01:08 PM

This is a subject that lights up a lot of discussion to say the lest.
My opinion is that if all else is within specs and the tires are not overloaded you should e fine. A lot has to do with how you feel going down the road. JMO and I know there are a lot out there that would disagree with that if you were 20# over on any axel.

Stripit · 12-29-2005, 04:46 PM

boaterman, this comes up a lot when we show people what the actual weights are after we weight them. When looking at the tag on your door, it shows gross axle and gross weight the truck can weigh. If you add both gross axle weights, you will see they are quite a bit higher than the gross weight of the truck. I think if your under what the gross axle weigh is designed to carry, and your not exceeding what the tires are designed to carry, the truck isn't squatting or sitting so low that the headlights are now spotting owls up in the trees, hook up and go. We have weighed many rigs, and we see a lot over the gcwr, but actually under axle and tire ratings. Many people call that lower gcwr a "lawyer" number for the truck manufacturer.