dry hitch specs

[BLTravels]

What exactly is the dry hitch weight spec under Weights and Measures in the Jayco sight represent? They list a 2018 28.5 HT FW at the following:
Dry hitch-1450#
GVW-10130#
Does that mean I am already at my hitch weight of 15% (per RAM) without adding any gear, batteries, propane, etc?
Even if I go to 20% is that saying I can only add 500 lbs of equipment near the front or at least that amount that directly impacts the hitch (kingpin weight)
Doesn't make sense and can't get an answer from them at all.

[billcf7]

You are correct. Pin weight is calculated without optional equipment as well.

[SB_James]

Originally Posted by BLTravels

What exactly is the dry hitch weight spec under Weights and Measures in the Jayco sight represent? They list a 2018 28.5 HT FW at the following:

Dry hitch-1450#

GVW-10130#

Does that mean I am already at my hitch weight of 15% (per RAM) without adding any gear, batteries, propane, etc?

Even if I go to 20% is that saying I can only add 500 lbs of equipment near the front or at least that amount that directly impacts the hitch (kingpin weight)

Doesn't make sense and can't get an answer from them at all.

Your assumptions are correct. But you can safely put 25% of GVWR on your pin, as long as your truck can carry it.

[Nature Ist]

Dry hitch weight is the unloaded weight. GVW is the maximum weight rating: it can be confusing because your hitch weight per Jayco spec.makes you think those numbers are comparable. You really need to know the dry weight of the entire camper compared to the hitch dry weight. Most units list the empty weight on the vehicle I.D. label on the front left side of the exterior. Of course, the best thing is to weigh it empty and loaded and check your actual vehicle and hitch weights for both dry and loaded.
SB_James is also correct that your hitch weight can be more...15% is usually the minimum, 18% is often referred to as optimum, and in some cases more is appropriate. All needs to be cross-referenced to the tow vehicle capacities

[bankr63]

If I am reading this correctly, you are saying that RAM says that your hitch weight should be 15% of Gross Trailer weight. Generally correct for a bumper pull, FW's generally are a bit higher %age at the pin, and should not exceed the payload capacity.

But that 15% will be maintained IF you load the trailer evenly. So if you add 1000# of gear evenly distributed, the axle weight will likely go up by 850# and the pin will go up by 150# and you will still be at 15% overall at the hitch. If you have 2000# of CCC and add that much gear in the trailer, then your pin/hitch weight will probably go up by about 300#. That would bring your loaded hitch to 1750#. As long as you have 1750# of available payload or max pin weight then you are within spec, at the trailer is still properly balanced.

[BLTravels]

Originally Posted by bankr63

If I am reading this correctly, you are saying that RAM says that your hitch weight should be 15% of Gross Trailer weight. Generally correct for a bumper pull, FW's generally are a bit higher %age at the pin, and should not exceed the payload capacity.

But that 15% will be maintained IF you load the trailer evenly. So if you add 1000# of gear evenly distributed, the axle weight will likely go up by 850# and the pin will go up by 150# and you will still be at 15% overall at the hitch. If you have 2000# of CCC and add that much gear in the trailer, then your pin/hitch weight will probably go up by about 300#. That would bring your loaded hitch to 1750#. As long as you have 1750# of available payload or max pin weight then you are within spec, at the trailer is still properly balanced.

Yes, I am surprised that Ram says 10% on bumper pull and 15% on FW. I am very familiar with all towing capacities and rules and was just trying to keep my original post a little shorter. But I find it very hard to believe that Jayco built a FW starting off with a pin weight at nearly 15% of GVW. If that is true then after adding batteries and propane I have nearly no capacity to use the bulk of the storage compartments up front nor the bedroom area above! Adding the bulk of my equipment in the pass through, front storage and bedroom area will very quickly take me well over 20%. In fact most of the indoor storage is in front of the axles as well.
It just doesn't add up.

[SB_James]

That is one weakness of the Eagle HT lineup. To get lower GVWR and pin weights that keep your 250/2500 truck within legal limits they walked a weight & balance tightrope.

[billcf7]

When Jayco and other manufacturers use the acronym HT everyone thinks you can tow them with a HALF TON pickup.

[BLTravels]

Originally Posted by billcf7

When Jayco and other manufacturers use the acronym HT everyone thinks you can tow them with a HALF TON pickup.

Agreed and a whole other post and one I assume is repeated often here in the forum.
But my issue is not payload. I actually have plenty and one of the reasons I went with this FW.
But I missed the fact that their posted weight comparing the hitch weight to GVW does not make sense and already close to the max towing weight and that is without even adding propane or batteries not to mention any cargo at all.
I have spoken to Jayco a couple of times and they are completely mystified. Although I am speaking to a basic customer service rep who has to keep going back to a technical person. They say they are going to research it and get back to me.

[Cincinnati Kid]

We have a 28.5 also. That 10130 GVWR number for only that one model year is strange. You're right that it only gives you a few hundred pounds. Our 2019 came in at about 9200# on the sticker, empty. But they rated ours at 10,995# GVWR.
It doesn't make any sense. I saw another person with a 2020 28.5 with 10130 on their sticker. The published stats say 10995 for 2020.

[BLTravels]

Originally Posted by Cincinnati Kid

We have a 28.5 also. That 10130 GVWR number for only that one model year is strange. You're right that it only gives you a few hundred pounds. Our 2019 came in at about 9200# on the sticker, empty. But they rated ours at 10,995# GVWR.
It doesn't make any sense. I saw another person with a 2020 28.5 with 10130 on their sticker. The published stats say 10995 for 2020.

Cincinnati Kid-your numbers make much more sense. So for the heck of it I checked 2017 published numbers and it is even worse. A GVW of 9995# with a hitch weight of 1520#! They are overweight before you even buy it! LOL

[Nature Ist]

If you can find your UVW for your 28.5 you should be able to calculate the pin % they are using for the dry hitch spec, my HT 30.5 CKTS (2020) works out to 17.5% That % is very much in line with industry standards. Assuming 17.5% with an unloaded hitch weight of 1450# your UVW would be about 8275# and your approximate hitch weight at max GVW would be about 1775# But, there's no true rule that holds to 15% or 17.5% or even 20% for fifth wheels.
The critical factor is not to exceed your total GVW on the camper and not overload your truck's max load limit. You shouldn't be too heavy on your pin weight unless you put all of your cargo in the basement and on the bed.
Last, but not least, we all need to get our units weighed, and if possible, weigh each axle individually to be sure we are not overloading any single suspension component.