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Fifth wheel chucking

MrXtrucker
Explorer
Explorer
I cannot find a thread concerning this subject, so I would be interested in your opinions. I have a 2006 F250 (rear axle air bags) with a Reese sliding hitch and a 2000 Montana 3250RL. On a recent trip in California, we experienced a horrible section of freeway and our rig literally beat us to pieces. I was looking at trailer suspension upgrades and pin box upgrades. Considering Trail Air Equaflex or Dexter EZ flex equalizers and Never Fail bushings. I want a system that will not affect my current coach height. At the pin box maybe a MorRyde. The airbag type pin boxes would address up and down movement but I am not sure they would isolate the fore and aft chucking. I will be doing the installation myself. Your input of your experiences would be appreciated.
27 REPLIES 27

AniJet
Explorer
Explorer
C.B. wrote:
stickdog wrote:
Try a Demco GlideRide pin box: http://demco-products.com/rv-towing-products/glide-ride/


X-2


The only thing that worked for me.
07 Mobile Suites 36TK3 Demco GlideRide PIn Box
12 3500HD D/A CC 4X4 AirSafe Hitch

GoPackGo
Explorer
Explorer
I put Bilstein 5100s on my F350. Also added a Hensley air adjustable BD3 to compensate for the 'up and down' motion. My trailer came with the MorRyde pinbox to take care of almost all of the back and forth chucking and it also has shocks. This combination seems to eliminate almost all motion.

mpfireman
Explorer
Explorer
On our recent trip to the Amana Colonies in Iowa, we exited I-80 onto 151 going north. That road was like nothing we have ever encountered in our many travels. We had to slow down to 10 MPH, and the chucking was still severe at that speed, even though the roadway was concrete with no pot holes. When we returned home we took Rt 6 East, until we re connected with I-80 some 10 miles away. So I would say that probably 99 plus % of chucking is caused by bad roadway design, or surfacing.
1998.5 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Cummins
1998 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver

hone_eagle
Explorer
Explorer
MrXtrucker wrote:
I looked up the factory specs for my Montana and from what I can figure my pin weight would be 21% with no load. Add water and supplies and I suspect it is about 22 or 23%(water tanks are up front along with 6 deep cycle batteries). I will scale the rig soon. I wonder if adjusting the air pressure in the truck air bags could help, I normally run about 50 psi. California has a 55 MPH speed limit when towing and I was running between 50 and 55 MPH, to answer a previous reply.

Factory specs are notorious for being shall we say 'on the light side' ,everybody that hits a cat scale is surprised -usally, by how much heaver they are ,I joke that I think they weigh these things 1/2 way down the line.
heres a example ,my pin weight according to the brochure is supposed to be 2800# ,turns out it was 4044# from a cat scale.
I was not really surprised.
2005 Volvo 670 singled freedomline 12 speed
Newmar 34rsks 2008
Hensley trailersaver TSLB2H
directlink brake controller

-when overkill is cheaper-

MrXtrucker
Explorer
Explorer
I looked up the factory specs for my Montana and from what I can figure my pin weight would be 21% with no load. Add water and supplies and I suspect it is about 22 or 23%(water tanks are up front along with 6 deep cycle batteries). I will scale the rig soon. I wonder if adjusting the air pressure in the truck air bags could help, I normally run about 50 psi. California has a 55 MPH speed limit when towing and I was running between 50 and 55 MPH, to answer a previous reply.

C_B_
Explorer
Explorer
stickdog wrote:
Try a Demco GlideRide pin box: http://demco-products.com/rv-towing-products/glide-ride/




X-2
CBVP2004~FORD~F350~CC~LARIAT~SRW~SB~4X4~6.0D~
AUTO~PULLRITE 16K SUPERGLIDE~DEMCO GLIDERIDE~
PRODIGY CONTROLLER~C-BETR MIRRORS~EMS-HW50C~

Butch/Barb=2013-Cedar Creek 36CKTS
Kris/Katy=2006-Cherokee 32B

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Dayle1 wrote:
When I had the same problem on my last fiver, I decided that aftermarket hitches and pin boxes only serve to isolate the truck from the trailer so the driver no longer feels the chucking, but it can still exist and beat the fiver to pieces. So, I decided to improve the fiver suspension first and had Mor/ryde install their IS system. Kept the fiver for 7 years and never felt the need for further improvements. Just my $0.02.


X2, I also went after the root cause, not band aids.
I am 99% chucking free with shocks, new Bilstien 5100 on TV and Lippert kits on the 5er, drove down an OLD concrete road for about four miles after this and felt the joints as bumps, but zero chucking.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

oldbird1965
Explorer
Explorer
A vote for Trailer Saver hitch, solved my problems!
2008 Mobil Suites 36TK3, powerstroke one ton dually.

MFL
Nomad II
Nomad II
I agee that some roads are just going to cause chucking. I think uneven concrete is the worst!

I have noticed that your speed will make a difference on a bad road. I usually try to slow down 5-10 mph, but if you are going slow, and chucking, it can help to speed up sometimes too.

It is not normal to have chucking on most roads. This would indicate some hitch, or suspension change is needed.

Jerry

cdlaine
Explorer
Explorer
Slow down ???

Charles
2003 2500HD, 8.1L,CC,4.10,2WD,Allison
Standard bed
Ride-rite air bags
Prodigy
Husky 16K sliding

2013 Artic Fox 29-5T Silver Fox Ed.
Pin wt.(CAT Scale) 2660#
5th (Cat Scale) 12600#

I'll want the Frim Fram sauce with the Ausen Fey with
Chafafa on the side.... Nat

justme
Explorer
Explorer
I pull a 16k GVW Redwood trailer with a F350 SRW and Trailair hitch. No chucking and the truck does not think the trailer is there.

MrXtrucker
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for all your opinions and experiences. I drove semis for 37 years with all types of suspensions on the tractor and trailers. An air ride suspension on the trailer gave the most overall ride improvement. The IS suspension would be the most ideal way to go, but that is way to much money to spend on a 14 year old coach (even though it is in like new condition). My wife and I are not full timers and never will be because we love coming home as much as we love traveling!
I am going to weigh the rig and find my pin weight. The truck and trailer both sit level and the ride is usually good, but I want some improvement for the poorer sections of roads. Please continue to input on this subject.

Dayle1
Explorer II
Explorer II
When I had the same problem on my last fiver, I decided that aftermarket hitches and pin boxes only serve to isolate the truck from the trailer so the driver no longer feels the chucking, but it can still exist and beat the fiver to pieces. So, I decided to improve the fiver suspension first and had Mor/ryde install their IS system. Kept the fiver for 7 years and never felt the need for further improvements. Just my $0.02.
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders since '01
'13 Silverado 3500HD LT 2wd CCSB SRW, custom RKI bed
'19 Starcraft Telluride 292RLS
Rig Photos

ckwizard777
Explorer
Explorer
Gotta agree, It sounds like yer too light at the hitch.
If yer water tank is up front fill it thats how I got rid of chucking in my old Sunnybrook.
Ken & Deb
2008 Montana 3400
2007 Chevy 3500HD CC,LB Dually 8.1