King Pin Weight

ChevyDuramaxMan · 03-31-2008, 05:56 PM

I have a 2007.5 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax. I am looking at getting a fifth wheel with a dry hitch weight of 2500 pounds. How do I calculate king pin weight so I know the max of the dry hitch weight my truck can handle?

Truck Owner 901 · 05-13-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevyDuramaxMan

I have a 2007.5 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax. I am looking at getting a fifth wheel with a dry hitch weight of 2500 pounds. How do I calculate king pin weight so I know the max of the dry hitch weight my truck can handle?

I'd check one of the RV forums, like RV.net. There are some real experts there for this sort of question.

In general I think you need to be looking at the trucks GVWR and the rear axle rating. The pin weight will be almost 100% on the rear axle.

On my 2004 Duramax, I calculated I could take only 1500 lbs on the FW hitch over my rear axle, but your truck is not a 2004 and probably has a higher rating.

However, 2500 lbs is a LOT of weight! I cannot find the numbers now, but I think the GVWR of a 2500HD with D/A is 9220 lbs, and the truck's weight is about 6500 lbs. However, when you add driver and passenger, fuel, snacks, generator, CD wallet etc your truck will weigh closer to 7200 lbs, so you'd have only about 2000 lbs to carry on the hitch.

But please check the numbers with an expert which I am NOT.

**4x4Fantasy** · 05-13-2008, 02:24 PM

Here ya go, maybe this will help:

Fifth Wheel Weight Calculator

Truck Owner 901 · 05-14-2008, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4Fantasy

Here ya go, maybe this will help:

Fifth Wheel Weight Calculator

I knew there was an expert hanging around here somewhere!

**4x4Fantasy** · 05-14-2008, 05:34 AM

Im no expert, just really good at finding what someone wants.

Truck Owner 901 · 05-14-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4Fantasy

Im no expert, just really good at finding what someone wants.

Ha - that's what MAKES you an expert!

**4x4Fantasy** · 05-14-2008, 06:24 AM

Oh, well then, I accept the title.

Treeman · 05-14-2008, 06:57 AM

Truck Owner has it right. The Pin Weight should not exceed the "payload capacity" of the truck. You should go to a scale and weigh your truck. I have a cabover that "allegedly weighs" #3,000, after several trips I weighed the rig and it came in at a combined #10840. That was with the camper dry, (no beer or beverage!), 1/2 tank of fuel and no gear! Wow imagine my surprise when I found that out and the gvwr is aroud #9200. I actually went to another scale to double check. I then weighed the truck empty and found it to be #7640. My 5th wheel weighs quite a bit more than posted also. The moral of the story is if you are planning on towing/hauling anything that is allegedly close to your weight capacities take it all to the scales and be sure! Side note- I did haul the cabover along with a 4 spot atv trailer( for quads and beer) on a 1,400 mile trek to Utah without any problems but it was heavy!

charlesha11 · 05-30-2008, 07:19 PM

I carry a fith wheel at 2600 on the pin with no problem I did add air bags to level the ride but based on the scales i still have about 500 or 600 pounds before gross wieght on a 2007 Classic 2500HD

**4x4Fantasy** · 05-30-2008, 07:24 PM

I have found that the GVWR manufacturers provide is not a definitive number. The vehicle can almost always do a LOT more, but something will be sacrificed. All you do is find the weak link, toughen it up, and your good to go.