Forum Discussion

kimomjtb's avatar
kimomjtb
Explorer
Sep 14, 2015

New 5th wheel and towing issues

hi everybody it's been a few years since I've been here and I'm back with some issues that I hope someone can help with ....we recently upgraded our 31 foot travel trailer to a 38 foot fifth wheel and we are having some towing issues and don't know what to do about it ... we've talked with people at the camping place and the garage that worked on our truck recently ...seems like no one seems to know what to do... we have a 2003 Dodge 3500 Cummins turbo diesel 5.9 automatic quad cab I'm pretty sure its a 3.73 gears .short bed We have a husky sliding hitch ...on a recent to adventure with this new camper we were all over the road it was handling terrible it was a white knuckle experience... We recently had a lot of work done on the truck to get it ready for the new camper including new tires shocks airbags, steering box as well as a number of other things ...the tires were at around 80 psi on the truck ..and I want to say 50 on the trailer does that sound about right? The air bags were at 75.....are air bags a bad idea? what do you think this issue with all over the road was... Don't know any thing about pin weights and G VCRs and all that **** ..if .anybody could just help out a little I would truly appreciate it ....my husband is just all in a tizzy.thanks ..here is the specs to the trailer.....the hitch is right over the axel...please let me know if you need any more information That I may have not mentioned here .thank you so much..



Hitch Weight
UVW
GVWR
CCC
Exterior Length
Exterior Height
Exterior Width
Fresh Water
Gray Water
Black Water
Awning Size



385BH

1,940 lbs.
12,320 lbs.
15,940 lbs.
3,620 lbs.
41' 1"
12' 10"
100"
64 gal.
83 gal.
86 gal.
16 ft

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

46 Replies

  • You need to hit the scales.

    Without weights of the truck only and weights with trailer all you will get is guesses as what is wrong.

    I suspect you have a very low pin weight percentage.
  • rhagfo wrote:
    Pin weight should be 20% minimum of total 5er weight.
    Is the 3500 SRW or DRW?
    Does the the truck wander empty?
    Did you have ball joints checked/replaced
    4X2 or 4X4?
    Is the 5er level when connected to the TV?


    It is a SWR
    There is a lot of play in the steering when not hooked up and that is why they replaced the steering box,but it still is lose after......took it back and they checked it along with making sure the wheels were balanced correctly....
    The ball joints were just replaced,it is a 4x4

    There was a gust of wind while we were on the highway,and wow,thought we were,going to go off the road...never had a problem towing the travel trailer...
  • Light pin, tires, overloaded. You need to laid like your going camping and hit the scales.
  • First off

    5th wheel is too heavy for that vintage of 3500 (I tow a 14K 5vr and am right at rear axle/rear tire load ratings and over trucks GVWR)

    Trailer tire pressure.........50# :H
    What is tire psi on sidewall. My tires are 16" 110# (I run 100#)


    Air bags...........75#
    I don't have air bags but 75# sounds like a lot of pressure to be running.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Pin weight should be 20% minimum of total 5er weight.
    Is the 3500 SRW or DRW?
    Does the the truck wander empty?
    Did you have ball joints checked/replaced
    4X2 or 4X4?
    Is the 5er level when connected to the TV?
  • Tires on FW are probably 16" and max pressure should be 80 v. 50psi but I doubt low FW tire pressure is the problem. Must be something on the truck.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,151 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 25, 2025