5th wheel chucking

[Meade2024]

Hello everyone, 

 

Seeking sage wisdom and knowledge.  Just upgrade from a TT to a 5th wheel.  My Silverado is a 2024 2500 LT with the Z71 package.  I install a curt rail kit and utilize a curt a20 20k hitch to tow a Grand Design 298bh, estimated weight of 10k with 2k pin.  
 

My issue is chucking.  Everyone has commented that it must tow way smoother than a travel trailer, but my experience has been the opposite.  Any irregularities in the road surface, any acceleration/deceleration causes the truck to have a push/pull feeling.

 

I am looking for potential solutions.  I’m going to shim the feet of hitch with rubber for isolation and take any slop out of the rail connection point.  Would airbags for the truck help?

 

thanks in advance 

[lineman1234]

The feel of a TT vs a 5ver are not the same......

 

My grand design reflections 273mk, is just under 10,000.  It tows and feels different than my TT did. And, i have never used weight distribution yet on a trailer. 

[Meade2024]

@lineman1234 I expected a different feel, it would have to be with how the weight is positioned on the truck, just didn’t expect to get beat up more with the 5-er, what hitch are you using?

[Ry Guy]

Looking at your first picture, your 5th wheel is quite a bit out of level. The nose looks noticeably higher than the tail. I would lower the hitch head (not sure if the curt allows for that) and/or raise the pin box so that it sits level. That may help smooth out the ride and you still should have sufficient clearance. 

[Chopper_Man]

The front of the camper should be 6" above the bed. Yours looks higher. Also, have you actually measured pin weight at a Cat scale? Specs are dry weight, add all your gear, propane, batteries, etc. Granted, your 3500 should handle it fine, but you'd be amazed how fast it adds up! I plan on bagging mine for my 5er we're buying.

[lineman1234]

Looks very close to just like mine, and i cant go any lower on my BW hitch. 

 

Also,,,, the OP has a 2500............................

[Meade2024]

I redid some measurements now that we are loaded and on level ground and found the rail to camper to be 8 inches, dropped the hitch 2 inches, also greased every connection point on the hitch itself and now have much more flex of the head.  Looking forward to the ice going away so I can give it a test tow…

[Ry Guy]

29 minutes ago, Meade2024 said:

 Looking forward to the ice going away so I can give it a test tow…

I hear that. Can’t wait to put the GD 32BH behind the 2500 to see how the 6.6 gas pulls compared to the F350 7.3 I had. It’s going to be a great camping season. 

[Meade2024]

Thank you @cemen

 

[Rick_]

My fiver started the hucka bucka on the way home from Camping World.  Called up my buddy and he said he always pulls his fiver with a full water tank.  I filled up the water tank, added a second battery, put in all the equipment in the storage compartment and the bucking is nearly eliminated.  19th Ave in West Fargo could get my trailer bucking anytime no matter how it was loaded so some roads at lower speeds may induce the issue but for the most part I'm happy.

[Meade2024]

Thanks for the idea @Rick_

[Randal Scott]

Does your hitch rock in the bed rails without being hooked to the rv?  You need to get that play fixed.  Loosen the bolts and press on the hitch to get it settled, then slowly tighten the bolts. I have had others tell me to hookup to the rv and then Loosen the bolts. The weight will hold the hitch down to tighten it. Just make sure the tow vehicle and the rv are not pushing or pulling at each other. Need them relaxed. That's why the puck system is a little better. You have adjustments on each corner. 

[Meade2024]

2 hours ago, Randal Scott said:

Does your hitch rock in the bed rails without being hooked to the rv?  You need to get that play fixed.  Loosen the bolts and press on the hitch to get it settled, then slowly tighten the bolts. I have had others tell me to hookup to the rv and then Loosen the bolts. The weight will hold the hitch down to tighten it. Just make sure the tow vehicle and the rv are not pushing or pulling at each other. Need them relaxed. That's why the puck system is a little better. You have adjustments on each corner. 

I don’t have screws bolts that hold it to the rails, just pins, I did shim the attachment points, but need a thinner one to add onto..1 layer isn’t quite enough, 2 is too much of course 

[Randal Scott]

No, the bolts that hold the legs to the center section. You have the same hitch that I do. But I have the puck system legs. There's 2 or 4 bolts on each side. I can't remember if they take a 3/4" or 1 1/16" wrench. I think it's the 3/4" wrench. The 1 1/16" wrench is used on the pin box bolts, I think. 

[Meade2024]

@Randal Scottthats a great idea, I will try that…thanks