Community Forums

ardvark16 · 04-28-2021, 05:43 AM

It’s my first 5th wheel (Reflection 278bh 10195 gvwr) and we are about to take it on our first trip. Should I just load it and distribute the weight evenly? It has a back cargo area that I will load up with outdoors stuff (chairs, mat, Blackstone, etc) the pass through will be the totes and what not. I also have a bike rack and 3 bikes that I will be putting on the rear hitch (126lbs with all bikes). I will put the yeti cooler in the bed behind the hitch and some odds and ends in the truck. Is this the best strategy to load it? I am told that the pin on these 150 series tends to be lighter and that’s why the cargo area is in the back but I don’t know that for sure.

Reflection 278bh 10195gvwr

Cumminsfan · 04-28-2021, 07:00 AM

The pin is lighter because GD wants to be able to say it's 1/2 ton towable and not be called a liar. Your 5er comes from the factory with a 16% pin per brochure.
Most all truck manufactures want pin weights to be between 15-25%. You can get by with 15% but the ride may be rough. 20% is optimum.
About all you can do is try and load as much of the heavy stuff in front of the axles.
FWIW just because you put 100 lbs behind the axle doesn't mean the pin will be 100 lbs less. The axles aren't centered under the 5er so it's not like a teeter totter.
Worst case scenario, find out if the fresh water tank is in front of the axles and fill it with enough water to keep the pin above 15% if you're having trouble reaching 15% pin weight.

Fiesta48 · 04-28-2021, 07:22 AM

We have a 240RL. Our strategy is minimal weight, least weight far forward, heaviest items over the axles. We do this for better mpg, better braking and acceleration. No problems in 3 years.

TXiceman · 04-28-2021, 08:28 AM

my first question is what are you using for a tow vehicle. Next thing is you need to get axle weights on just the truck and then with it loaded the way you want to travel. Without these weights it is just a guessing game as how you load is distributed.

Ken

ardvark16 · 04-28-2021, 08:40 AM

I’m towing with a GMC Top Kick. Probably not enough truck tho. Maybe I’ll step up my game.

**hamm2018** · 04-28-2021, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardvark16

I’m towing with a GMC Top Kick. Probably not enough truck tho. Maybe I’ll step up my game.

Plan ahead, in case you decide to upgrade to a bigger RV later. We have a Ram 3500 dually with a 4:10 rear end setup. Pulls like a dream our RV is 44 foot triaxle toy hauler weighs in around 20,500.

shane wood · 04-29-2021, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamm2018

Plan ahead, in case you decide to upgrade to a bigger RV later. We have a Ram 3500 dually with a 4:10 rear end setup. Pulls like a dream our RV is 44 foot triaxle toy hauler weighs in around 20,500.

Top kick is like a 5500
Much bigger than your ram

vroom_vroom · 04-29-2021, 02:42 PM

It’s going to be hard to beat that top kick. There is a reason they still get stupid money for them.

ardvark16 · 04-29-2021, 07:48 PM

I don’t have a Top Kick. I am towing with a Prius. But I am baffled by the weight police jumping in when I didn’t ask about weight. No matter the question someone always says to git er weighed. Then get a 1 ton. Long bed. Dually. Diesel.

Skilletface · 04-30-2021, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardvark16

It’s my first 5th wheel (Reflection 278bh 10195 gvwr) and we are about to take it on our first trip. Should I just load it and distribute the weight evenly? It has a back cargo area that I will load up with outdoors stuff (chairs, mat, Blackstone, etc) the pass through will be the totes and what not. I also have a bike rack and 3 bikes that I will be putting on the rear hitch (126lbs with all bikes). I will put the yeti cooler in the bed behind the hitch and some odds and ends in the truck. Is this the best strategy to load it? I am told that the pin on these 150 series tends to be lighter and that’s why the cargo area is in the back but I don’t know that for sure.

Reflection 278bh 10195gvwr

That is the same strategy I’ve been using and have had good results.
After getting an empty weight, loading as described and then reweighing with full fresh water tank I made only small adjustments in kitchen utensils and clothing.

Not sure what your TV is but if it is four wheel drive your biggest issue will probably be getting the fiver level with the TV because that’s where I am at now.

ardvark16 · 04-30-2021, 06:13 AM

I’m pretty level. Maybe a tad up on the nose unloaded. I’m just trying to get it so it tows nicely and isn’t loaded poorly. I’m just going to try to get it evenly distributed.