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?

[creeper]

captnjack wrote:

creeper wrote:

mbrooks43 wrote:
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.

Call Moryde and ask them for a heavier Rubber bushing( that large black thing between 2 metal plates that act like a shock absorber), they will send you one for free. I had the lighter one and had the same bucking issue, put the new bushing in and it cleared right up.

It's a well known issue with the Morydes and heavy 5th wheels, they put the softer bushing in because most 5th are pretty light, t's an easy fix.

I wonder why people still post after seeing this answer. Clearly the situation you had was the same and your solution worked. You would think the thread would die.

Some people don't read all the responses. Moryde is very aware of the issue. I swapped out my bushing in about 20 minutes. It's an easy fix. They had the bushing out to me 2 day delivery. I got the info from another forum with others having the same problem.

For the OP the bucking can be pretty severe and it's shocking the difference the new bushing made.

[captnjack]

creeper wrote:

mbrooks43 wrote:
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.

Call Moryde and ask them for a heavier Rubber bushing( that large black thing between 2 metal plates that act like a shock absorber), they will send you one for free. I had the lighter one and had the same bucking issue, put the new bushing in and it cleared right up.

It's a well known issue with the Morydes and heavy 5th wheels, they put the softer bushing in because most 5th are pretty light, t's an easy fix.

I wonder why people still post after seeing this answer. Clearly the situation you had was the same and your solution worked. You would think the thread would die.

[Huntindog]

Are you so lightly loaded that the TVs overloads are either not engaged, or just barely?
I experience this some when lightly loaded (not often). It is caused by the overloads engaging and disengaging. More weight keeps them egaged and smooths it out.

[45Ricochet]

How old is your fiver? and does it also have the MorRyde suspension on the axles? Your talking about the MorRyde pin box with the rubber slab in it correct?

[goducks10]

If you haven't already you might check and see if the MorRyde is rated for your 5er. They have different spring ratings per 5er weight.

[Denny___Jami]

mbrooks43 wrote:
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.

What you are describing sounds like the stock suspension is causing your jerking. I would install a Mor-Ryde SRE4000 rubber equalizer to dampen the sepension.

Denny

[JTrac]

If the pin weight ratio is not the problem then there are after market fixes. Someone has already suggested a cushioned pin box. I have a Demco Glideride and it does make a difference. Even though it is not a truly cushioned box it does dampen some movement. An air bag pin box would probably be better. Another solution would be an air ride hitch. I also have a Trailer Saver BD3 and feel very little movement of the trailer. The downside of any add on stuff is cost. I hope you can solve the problem as is.

[TomG2]

The attitude (levelness) of the trailer made a huge difference on mine. Even a few inches up in the front aggravated the chucking or clunking as some call it.

[rhagfo]

So lightly loaded??
Has anyone else mentioned too little pin weight?? :h

Other things, 5er level when towing, nose high will not help chucking.

The Montana should come with shocks if not, install some.

Is your FW tank forward of the axles? If so try running with it full, to increase pin weight.

Yes, great shocks on the TV Bilstein's all the way around.

[byronlj]

Put some weight in the basement of your trailer and see if it helps.
Dave

[cmeade]

Have you thought about heavy duty shocks on rear axle of your tow vehicle.?? My Ram 3500 rides a lot better since I replaced all shocks with Bilstien 4600. I pull a 39' 5ver.

[RCMAN46]

Go to the scales and I will bet you will find you have a very low pin weight percentage.

If you find your pin weight percentage is greater then 20% then we can look at what other things may be wrong.

But I will put my money on your pin weight percentage is less than 20%.

[creeper]

mbrooks43 wrote:
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.

Call Moryde and ask them for a heavier Rubber bushing( that large black thing between 2 metal plates that act like a shock absorber), they will send you one for free. I had the lighter one and had the same bucking issue, put the new bushing in and it cleared right up.

It's a well known issue with the Morydes and heavy 5th wheels, they put the softer bushing in because most 5th are pretty light, t's an easy fix.

[dapperdan]

Not enough weight on the front of the trailer?? It's a fifth wheel, the pin weight on that trailer should be way more weight than what's on a bumper hitch! The OP would have to seriously overload the rear of that fifth wheel to achieve an unbalanced trailer.

My thoughts would be possibly chucking due to a solid pin box. He's got the right hitch for the job. Our first fifth had a solid pin box, we traded it off for a Montana. The Montana we had was our first trailer with the Morryde pin box. HUGE difference pulling the fifth wheel! Rode like a dream compared to the solid! Our Suites has the Morryde as well, we don't have any of that chucking or bucking or whatever you want to call it.

Dan