Forum Discussion
Durb
Jun 24, 2017Explorer
I've taken the same ownership route you are and I made a few mistakes. Chucking is a phenomena that I learned about right away. Like a travel trailer fifth wheels generate forces that are transferred to the truck. On a travel trailer the hitch is about axle high so the forces are bouncing forces, up and down. On a 5er the hitch point is high so the forces are a combination of bouncing and chucking energy, fore and aft. Many things enter into the chucking equation such as length, polar mass, and the trailer's tendency to rotate due to its layout. Unfortunately, short trailers will have a greater percentage of chucking forces compared to bouncing forces than a longer unit. Bottom line, your short light weight trailer may generate more chucking than a long heavy one even when hooked up to a substantial truck. It is hard to know without trying it so since you are settled on your trailer I would suggest trying to tow it with a buddy's truck and see where you stand. There are ways to fix the chucking issue but it would be less expensive if done from the outset. This is based on personal experience. Not to be alarmist but you just can't tell how a trailer is going to tow until you hook it up.
Make sure your trailer will fit your intended truck from a height standpoint. It would be a shame to have to modify it right out of the gate. Good luck.
Make sure your trailer will fit your intended truck from a height standpoint. It would be a shame to have to modify it right out of the gate. Good luck.
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