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Sled208's avatar
Sled208
Explorer
Apr 02, 2016

My 5th wheel shudders violently when towing.

I have a 2015 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab diesel with a B&W turnover ball hitch and a B&W companion hitch towing a 2006 Cedar Creek Silverback 29LRLBS (unloaded weight of 10,070 lbs. The hitch was installed by the dealer who I purchased the camper from and who sells and installs many hitches and trailers. It seems any change in velocity while I'm traveling results in significant shaking of the truck even violent shaking at times. Anything from getting into the throttle quickly, to the transmission downshifting while slowing for a stop sign or even a bump while maintaining speed causes the issue. Sometimes when I'm slowing and the truck downshifts I even have to get out of the brakes just to help settle it down. I've taken it back to the dealer twice. I've spent a lot of time with the installers trying to trouble shoot and it's a head scratcher. We briefly towed another camper of similar size and type and it seems to do it with another camper. They are pointing towards flex in the base plate for the B&W hitch. I'm not sure. We even put a gooseneck adapter on the camper and took it for a short test drive and it actually improved the ride quality slightly. I've searched the interweb and I've called B&W and nothing... I think I've exhausted all avenues that the dealer is able/willing to provide so naturally I'm here crying on the forums. Anybody got any ideas or contacts to fix this? Thanks in advance.
  • I highly doubt being over on the pin weight a few hundred pounds would give the symptoms the OP is explaining. He is not the first guy to go over a little on a 3/4 ton truck. Gross on that unit is only 12,250lbs. Worse case he's around 2,500 on the pin, plus hitch.
    Not sure what the issue is but "more truck" isn't the answer. Can you have a tech at the dealer ride while loaded?

    BTW, welcome to the forum.
  • sounds to me like a loose pinion gear when loaded it throws the driveshaft out of balance
  • Get the truck checked out. Motor mounts, Transmission mounts, U joints, and carrier bearings.
  • Sounds to me like you have a motor/transmission/dirveline mount that is loose or a bracket is broken.

    Can you cause that to happen without the trailer by dragging the brake a little while applying and releasing the accelerator ?? The only other test I can think of is to put about 1000 pounds in the bed to see what happens.

    I think it might be time for you to contact GM directly and/or look for an independent shop that has a good reputation with tow vehicles.
  • MORE TRUCK!
    Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Cedar Creeks can be very pin heavy. Loaded ready to camp, and drive across a set of scales. You will quickly understand where your peoblem is!

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