Jerking Feeling when Towing

[mbrooks43]

I recently upgraded my light weight travel trailer to a very large 5th wheel. I have a '14 Ram 3500 LB and got a Montana 3710FL connected with a B&W Companion. It is pretty empty still around 13-14k. When towing down the road I get what feels like a jerking sensation. It does not appear to be any slop in the hitch and that looks good. My suspicion is when the much heavier trailer hits a bump and compresses the suspension it puts a bit more pull on the truck, giving the jerking feeling.

Does this make sense, and is there a solution?

[samsontdog]

That is why I sold the last 5thw and went back to a TT

[brirene]

mikeh449 wrote:
not enough weight in front of trailer

My thought too.

[mikeh449]

not enough weight in front of trailer

[jerem0621]

2oldman wrote:
Heavier truck.

Maybe...we need more information.

OP...let's check some of the obvious things...

Is the suspension in good shape on the fiver? And no, even if new..doesn't mean it's in good shape. Could be assembled incorrectly.

Are the brakes actually working on the fiver? My dad had a brake issue (no brakes) and he described a similar situation..said he could feel the hitch taking a lot of weight. Turns out he had zero brakes.

Are all the bolts on the pin box tight?

Tires on the TV and Fiver aired up to the correct psi?

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[2oldman]

Heavier truck.

[mbrooks43]

I have the basic Moryde pin box. It feels more like a lateral jerking then it compressing the suspension....Maybe all the same thing, but feels like back and forth jerking.

[Second_Chance]

You may be experiencing what's sometimes called "bucking." You are correct, I believe, in assuming it's caused by interaction between the truck and the fifth wheel. You didn't say what type of pin box you have on the trailer, but if it's a stock (solid/rigid) pin box, replacement with a dampened pin box of some sort may be your solution. I experienced the same thing and replaced my pin box with a Demco Glide Ride - a night-and-day difference in the ride.