Tow Vehicle Front Axle Weight Went Down

[Cincinnati Kid]

So we finally weighed our truck and 5th wheel, together and separate. The truck was full of gas, and we were in it. The 5th wheel was very lightly loaded, no water.
So we came up with more than 500 pounds of payload remaining, and all other measurements are way below capacities- all axles, GVWR, GCWR, everything is good. We are at about 19% on our pin weight, so even when we load our trailer to the max, 10995, we should be good in all weights. (The payload will be close at that point)
Here's my thinking-
1)It did bother me that the front truck axle weight went DOWN about 60 pounds with the trailer attached. I guess I could move the companion hitch 2" forward, but that would cause issues with the tonneau cover. (I would have to remove it to tow- big hassle)
2)There is some sag on the back of the truck- I haven't measured it, but it doesn't seem bad. If I got air springs, would that cause a shift of weight toward the front? One video I watched says no- in fact, the airbags took even more weight off the front.
So is 60# less weight on the front axle significant?

[Mopar_Earl]

Pin should be forward of the axle center line to put or keep the same weight on the steer. I'd be concerned with less weight on the steer. My 07 Ram would stay the same weight empty or loaded on the steer. Pin was forward of the axle. My 18 I haven't scaled yet. Pin is forward of the axle on it too. It also has the factory auto leveling rear suspension that I run in alt trailer height. Hoping to scale it Wednesday before rolling on a trip.

Yes air bags would shift some weight to the front. As you raise the rear, the front would come back to normal. But unless you go with an automatic system or an wireless on board system, adjusting the bags would be a pain. Best to remove bed cover. Also you may not need air bags.

Where is your pin now? Center of the axle? I sure hope it's not rear of the axle.


Earl

[Cincinnati Kid]

According to the installation instructions, the pin is 1" forward of the axle. I measured about an 1 1/2", but the factory is probably more accurate. I have the option of moving it to 3" forward of axle, but the tonneau would have to go, and I would have to recheck my turning clearance.

[Mopar_Earl]

How much weight is on your steer? Putting it 3" forward would be a lot. I assume your truck is a short bed.


Earl

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by Mopar_Earl

How much weight is on your steer? Putting it 3" forward would be a lot. I assume your truck is a short bed.


Earl

Yes, it's a short bed. Everything is really working well the way it is, I have the clearance I need, I'm well under payload and both axle weights are fine.

The only things that bother me are maybe a little too much squat, and worrying about the front axle weight going down. (I was mistaken- it's 20 pounds less, not 60) But still, even knowing that most of the weight should go on the back axle, it seems that at least some should go to the front, too, for stability.

The companion hitch only gives me the options of 1 inch or 3 inches forward of the axle.

The drive axle is 3420 empty, and 5240 loaded.
The steer axle is 4260 empty, and 4240 loaded

[Mopar_Earl]

Not much you can do. Unless you have a slider hitch, I highly doubt you could move the pin to the 3" forward position.
If it handles well, roll with it. You still have over 4k on the steer.


Earl

[MPD56]

Just my opinion. But there has to be a reason why your steer axle are less with the pin weight. If you hitch is ahead of the rear axles, it has to weigh the same or more as we all agree.


One might be.


My nephew weighed his fifth wheel and got the same result. When he was on the scale he didn't put his truck in park and was holding the brake. Trailer brakes were on and causing the pin to pull back and removing weight from the steer axles.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by MPD56

Just my opinion. But there has to be a reason why your steer axle are less with the pin weight. If you hitch is ahead of the rear axles, it has to weigh the same or more as we all agree.


One might be.


My nephew weighed his fifth wheel and got the same result. When he was on the scale he didn't put his truck in park and was holding the brake. Trailer brakes were on and causing the pin to pull back and removing weight from the steer axles.

That could be the case with me. There was a lineup at the scale, and I was rushing, I'll try again. Thanks

[Camper_bob]

I believe you're also within the margin of error for a Cat scale. IIRC I read somewhere that that margin is 50 lbs?

So, potentially, you could have rolled off the scale, circled the lot and drove back on and had 50 lbs difference in your weights.

Personally, if it handles well, I wouldn't worry about 20 lbs off the steer axle, but I can see how it would bother you. It would certainly be on my mind as a curiosity, but I probably wouldn't lose sleep over it.

[curver900]

just buy a 20lb bag of sand and put it in the engine compartment.. all fixed!

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by curver900

just buy a 20lb bag of sand and put it in the engine compartment.. all fixed!

That's the ticket!

[Duke4857]

You could put a extra battery in the engine compartment. A battery has more use than a bag/pouch of "credit fairy dust." :-)

(I hope you have heard the radio commercial.)

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by curver900

just buy a 20lb bag of sand and put it in the engine compartment.. all fixed!

Or eat more.....

[JFlightRisk]

Just come on up to Rochester NY, go to Nick Tahou's and eat two garbage plates. If you don't explode first, you'll gain the 20 lbs you need!!!
I hope you know about garbage plates(?)

[mgodsey]

Originally Posted by curver900

just buy a 20lb bag of sand and put it in the engine compartment.. all fixed!

Haha. I was thinking a bag of dog food but sand works too! 20 lbs??? Wouldn’t even concern myself with it.