bouncing/chucking

[ajbriz]

We have a new Cougar 28sgs fifth wheel. I have also purchased a new 2016 Sierra 2500HD. Plenty of suspension for towing. General RV sold me a Reese hitch for pulling . I get an awful lot of bouncing while towing . Any recommendations.

[JRTJH]

Try loading the front of the fifth wheel heavier. I'd suspect that you're on the light end right now and that's contributing to the chucking. The heavier you get it (I try to be about 22% if I can).

[mtofell]

Is this your first 5th wheel or are you comparing to another setup? 5th wheels definitely bounce and "chuck" from time to time. There's not much that can be done about the physics involved. It's a matter of carrying much more of the trailer's weight on the truck compared to a traditional trailer.

I run some air bags on my 2500 with a 9000# dry 5th wheel and it helps a lot. Basically, it stiffens the hinge between the truck and trailer and really prevents the rythmic bounce when rolling over uneven roads.

There are also all kinds of things you can install between the pin and the hitch. I'm not sure if/how effective these are. I see some people on forums talk about them but it's not as though they are a "must have" so I question just how much help they are.

[rhagfo]

Try loading the front of the fifth wheel heavier. I'd suspect that you're on the light end right now and that's contributing to the chucking. The heavier you get it (I try to be about 22% if I can).

X2
If your FW tank is forward of the axles, run with it full. Put very good shocks on the TV, and if the 5er doesn't have any add them.

[xcntrk]

I would recommend weighing the setup as it stand. Next time you're out, hit the CAT scales weigh the truck and trailer fully setup, with all your gear, as you head down the road. The results of that weigh will be very revealing. It will tell you where the truck and trailer are wrt GVWR, how much pin weight, how much payload on the truck, etc. That will help you determine if you have a fundamental setup issue, or if maybe a suspension pin box is all you need to help address the chucking.

[chuckster57]

I have spent years doing different things in an attempt to eliminate chucking. Mainly because it gives a negative connotation to my name :facepalm:

But seriously, I have done lots of different things. Air bags seemed to be the best thing for my situation. Sometimes you just can't get rid of it depending on the road. Those expansion joints seem to spaced just right( wrong). If you do get bags I would recommend on board air as it allows for adjustments while on the road. I changed out my stiff pin box with a rotaflex earlier this year. Currently on a trip from Modesto Ca. To Portland Or to see family and on this long trip I can now say, they are worth the money!!

[Desert185]

I have spent years doing different things in an attempt to eliminate chucking. Mainly because it gives a negative connotation to my name :facepalm:


Reminds me of an early, Saturday Night Live skit.:D

[Mic]

I too get a lot.
New to 5th wheel setup, so have nothing to compare to .
Though NEW GOOD shocks on truck helped a lot.

[rhagfo]

I too get a lot.
New to 5th wheel setup, so have nothing to compare to .
Though NEW GOOD shocks on truck helped a lot.

Putting them on the 5er will help also!

[Mic]

Putting them on the 5er will help also!

Is there a thread on how to do that?

[chuckster57]

Search the forum using "adding shocks" and it will yield a few threads.

[rhagfo]

Lippert makes a kit, for most Keystone 5ers, after four years I replaced the China shocks with USA made Monroe sucks and 5er travels as smooth as the TV.

[chuckster57]

I had factory shocks on my'97 Jayco. It broke the mounts off twice.

[eds451]

I had a Reese slider installed when I bought our 5er 7 years ago. Lots of chucking and bouncing. I added a Morryde hitch..helped. Replaced factory spring equalizers with a Dexter EZflex..helped. Finally replaced the slider with an Andersen Ultimate and now it pulls great.

[chuckster57]

Anderson hitch won't stop chucking by itself IMO, The hitch point is still the same. If your hooked to an Anderson or a conventional king pin, the pin box is still "secured" to the tow vehicle.

[larry337]

Reese Fifth Airborne pin box works awesome for me. Worth every penny. But it takes some experimenting to get the air and bag adjustment just right. My loaded pin weight is 2600 lbs and I put in 60 lbs of pressure pre hook which works out to around 82 lbs post hook. My tow vehicle is a 17 SRW long bed crew cab F350. I also used this pin box with my 11 F350 dually. 10 times better than the stock pin box once you dial it in. No air bags on either truck. My new truck may even ride nicer than the dually did, it's that's good.

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[Bushed]

X2

If your FW tank is forward of the axles, run with it full. Put very good shocks on the TV, and if the 5er doesn't have any add them.



I agree with water tank full, my HC Montana chucks me around the cab with the tank empty. Water tank full and it's a whole different ride.


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[larry337]

So I agree changing the pin weight WILL change the ride but that doesn't mean what works for one will work for another. The floorplan and inherent weight along with how the rig is loaded will also come into play. My floorplan is a front living room model which are known to be nose heavy so mine actually rides worse with a full water tank. As someone else mentioned the OP should start by weighing the rig when its loaded to camp and experiment from there. I'm right around 21% pin weight. That said, since installing the 5th Airborne pin box it rides better both with a full water tank or empty. just that empty rides better for me. I have also read a lot of good reviews about the Moryde rubber spring pin box. Looking at your specs the empty weight is 8200 and pin weight is 1485. Lets say your loaded weight is 9500. That means to be at 21% you'd have to raise your pin weight from 1485 to 1995. Thats gonna be hard to do. But I think it gives you an idea of how to load your trailer, that is load it nose heavy, possibly including a full fresh water tank. If that doesn't work I'd consider replacing the pin box.

[Mic]

Can shocks be added to 5er with MORryde CRE3000 suspension.?

[jonnyaiks]

For the OP it's important to stress that all of these solutions people have figured out only reduce it. You will always have to deal with it a little - you're always one pavement wave or bad bridge expansion joint away from a carny ride - just learn to look out for them and stay calm.

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[JRTJH]

Yes, you can add shocks to the axles with the CRE system. The shock mounts attach to the axle/spring support (where the spring and axle meet) and to the trailer frame rail, not to the spring hangers where the CRE is attached. The CRE system allows for more spring hanger movement which tends to smooth the axle bounce that is transferred to the frame rails of the trailer. Many people find that the CRE system will "do almost the same job" as shocks and find that they don't need both. Every application is different, so look with a "careful eye" as to whether adding shocks would be worth the cost.

[Barbell]

My experience is limited to two different hitches; First one was a Reese 16K which chucked badly. Number of adjustments with loading did not help. Traded trucks and new one has a Curt 20K. No chucking at all. Can't say what the difference is other than the nylon plate on the king pin with the Curt. Had other serious problems with the Reese so will never own another.

[Javi]

My experience is limited to two different hitches; First one was a Reese 16K which chucked badly. Number of adjustments with loading did not help. Traded trucks and new one has a Curt 20K. No chucking at all. Can't say what the difference is other than the nylon plate on the king pin with the Curt. Had other serious problems with the Reese so will never own another.

Question... you traded trucks... From what to what..

[first time 5er]

Had a Reese slider
all kinds of chucking switch to the Anderson no chucking.
weight distribution matters but now i can run with the rear window open and not a sound from the hitch

[ajbriz]

I appreciate the comments, I am not getting chucking from front to back but rather bouncing up and down. I understand a lot has to do with roads but it seems there is excessive bouncing. Water tank is in back so I can't add weight there. I have heard air bags help. I already have one in the passenger seat, oh wait, that's windbag. 😁 It does NOT help. I was wondering if off road shocks , like Fox would help. I do not have Z71 package.

[Desert185]

I appreciate the comments, I am not getting chucking from front to back but rather bouncing up and down. I understand a lot has to do with roads but it seems there is excessive bouncing. Water tank is in back so I can't add weight there. I have heard air bags help. I already have one in the passenger seat, oh wait, that's windbag. 😁 It does NOT help. I was wondering if off road shocks , like Fox would help. I do not have Z71 package.

If you're considering new shocks, consider Bilstein 4700/5100.

[rhagfo]

If you're considering new shocks, consider Bilstein 4700/5100.


X2!
Bilstein 5100's on my Ram work great!

[chuckster57]

Found a new way to eliminate all chucking today. Drive 10MPH on the highway. :nonono:

Left Salem Or. at 12:30- 10MPH until Wilsonville. Arrived at Cascade locks KOA at 6:15.

[Rhino]

Throw a set of King OEM series shocks on your truck. Don't piddle around with little baby shocks to handle a big job.

[jsmith948]

Found a new way to eliminate all chucking today. Drive 10MPH on the highway. :nonono:

Left Salem Or. at 12:30- 10MPH until Wilsonville. Arrived at Cascade locks KOA at 6:15.

Yeah, you got to love the Portland area traffic. Bad on most days - on Sunday it is even worse. With something like the eclipse - forgetaboutit!

[fatcatzzz]

Found a new way to eliminate all chucking today. Drive 10MPH on the highway. :nonono:

Left Salem Or. at 12:30- 10MPH until Wilsonville. Arrived at Cascade locks KOA at 6:15.

All I can say is WOW! Seems you left "Altamont" style traffic for aaaaa, well "Altamont" style traffic. :eek: Hope that things thin out for you now that the eclipse done.

[Barbell]

Javi:
We traded our "01 2500 CTD six-speed w/ air bags for a '16 3500 CTD drw w/ Aisan. Big improvement all around.

[Javi]

Javi:
We traded our "01 2500 CTD six-speed w/ air bags for a '16 3500 CTD drw w/ Aisan. Big improvement all around.

I thought that might be the case.. I had a little chucking with my '12 F250 and the factory Reese hitch.. All gone with the dually and literally the same hitch... We took it out of the F250 and installed it in the dually..

[mtofell]

Found a new way to eliminate all chucking today. Drive 10MPH on the highway. :nonono:

Left Salem Or. at 12:30- 10MPH until Wilsonville. Arrived at Cascade locks KOA at 6:15.

That sucks.... funny thing is traffic around the Portland area was actually extremely light over the weekend and on Monday. I drove across the metro area and back on Monday after the eclipse and it was eerily quiet. That run from Salem up through Portland was probably the worst by far.

[brittsnbirds]

I'm running a '09 2500 HD, gasser pulling a Sprinter 269FWRLS. I have a Curt 20k slider hitch with stock pin. I had BAD bouncing on stock bilstein shocks. Put Rancho 5000 adjustable shocks all around. Seemed to help a little but still there. Added Firestone bags with on board compressor that I can adjust on demand. The bags helped but if I pump the bags up to 55-60 pounds it lifts my bed up. Makes for a un level pull situation.

Looking up your trailer in comparison to mine you have a little lighter condition but very close. With my setup one way I have found to minimize the chucking is to get off the gas when I approach a bridge or bumpy road. The bouncing has minimized but still would like to get better shocks. Not happy with the Rancho's even when I crank down the dampening.

Waiting for more shock recommendations!!

[CaptnJohn]

I'm running a '09 2500 HD, gasser pulling a Sprinter 269FWRLS. I have a Curt 20k slider hitch with stock pin. I had BAD bouncing on stock bilstein shocks. Put Rancho 5000 adjustable shocks all around. Seemed to help a little but still there. Added Firestone bags with on board compressor that I can adjust on demand. The bags helped but if I pump the bags up to 55-60 pounds it lifts my bed up. Makes for a un level pull situation.

Looking up your trailer in comparison to mine you have a little lighter condition but very close. With my setup one way I have found to minimize the chucking is to get off the gas when I approach a bridge or bumpy road. The bouncing has minimized but still would like to get better shocks. Not happy with the Rancho's even when I crank down the dampening.

Waiting for more shock recommendations!!

Now thinking again ~~ my 2016 F350 has 35,000++ and was thinking of changing the Rancho shocks to Bilstein 5100. Back to the drawing board

[rhagfo]

I'm running a '09 2500 HD, gasser pulling a Sprinter 269FWRLS. I have a Curt 20k slider hitch with stock pin. I had BAD bouncing on stock bilstein shocks. Put Rancho 5000 adjustable shocks all around. Seemed to help a little but still there. Added Firestone bags with on board compressor that I can adjust on demand. The bags helped but if I pump the bags up to 55-60 pounds it lifts my bed up. Makes for a un level pull situation.

Looking up your trailer in comparison to mine you have a little lighter condition but very close. With my setup one way I have found to minimize the chucking is to get off the gas when I approach a bridge or bumpy road. The bouncing has minimized but still would like to get better shocks. Not happy with the Rancho's even when I crank down the dampening.

Waiting for more shock recommendations!!

The dry pin on that Sprinter is 18%, towing you should have between 20% to 25% pin. I run about 22% on our Copper Canyon. Your 5er has about 11,600# at that weight pin should be about 2,500#, you should not need air bags at 55 to 60 psi to support that light of pin.

[Javi]

Now thinking again ~~ my 2016 F350 has 35,000++ and was thinking of changing the Rancho shocks to Bilstein 5100. Back to the drawing board

Bilstein 5100's rock....

[rhagfo]

Bilstein 5100's rock....

X2!
They make for a smooth ride.

[brittsnbirds]

The dry pin on that Sprinter is 18%, towing you should have between 20% to 25% pin. I run about 22% on our Copper Canyon. Your 5er has about 11,600# at that weight pin should be about 2,500#, you should not need air bags at 55 to 60 psi to support that light of pin.

Good to know but how do you get to 22%? There isn't much more that I can put up in the bedroom. When I weighed at the Kat scale at Flying J it said my steering axle was 5920, drive 10920 with a gross weight of 16,840. For some reason they didn't get my trailer axle? That set up was when were living in it while re-doing the hardwood floors and kitchen flip.

Any suggestions where to get a deal on Bilstein's?

[rhagfo]

Good to know but how do you get to 22%? There isn't much more that I can put up in the bedroom. When I weighed at the Kat scale at Flying J it said my steering axle was 5920, drive 10920 with a gross weight of 16,840. For some reason they didn't get my trailer axle? That set up was when were living in it while re-doing the hardwood floors and kitchen flip.

Any suggestions where to get a deal on Bilstein's?

I strongly suggest you go through the scales again, your 5er has a GVWR of around 11,600#. The numbers you have listed don't make sense.

The steer axle you posted is more like what a drive axle would weigh. the 10,920 is hard to place as I carry about 9,500# on our 5er with a GVW of about 11,500#.

Well our fresh water tank is forward of the axles so I always try to run with it full, makes a very noticeable difference.

I got mine through Thoroughbred Diesel, you can also look at shock warehouse.

[Desert185]

Check www.4wheelparts.com

[Whitewolf]

Can shocks be added to 5er with MORryde CRE3000 suspension.?

Yes they can. I replaced the lightweight shackles with the HD ones and added wet bolts at the same time. For me to drill the holes in the frame for the upper shock mount, I found it easier to drop the axle. Did one side of one axle at a time. No problem since I was breaking the bolts loose to replace the suspension bolts.

[IBD]

New to this forum just today....got into this post....
Chucking.....Read these posts on "chucking" and all the "fixes" thrown out here........with my '12 Ram 1500/5.7L Hemi with added air bags and Reese 14k regular hitch and factory pin box on the '12 Keystone Copper Canyon 252FWRLS 5th wheel I did sometimes experience what you all call "chucking" and not on all roads tho. I think road surface conditions and speed, factor in to how that occurs and when.

So, now I traded up to a 2017 2500 Ram/6.4L Hemi with on board air ride (ht adjustment system), puck system mount and a PullRite SuperGlide 16K (auto) slider....not had chance to hook up and pull yet so eager to see how it functions in regards to the "chucking" thing.

Bought the PullRite slider primarily for the short box to get full turning capability. So, maybe it will take care of most any "chucking" I might see in future road trips. Anybody else have any experience with this PullRite system????

....I don't know all the statistics on wts of rig, 252FWRLS, as you folks but book says shipping wt is 7184, (hitch wt 1320) & 2936 carrying capacity = 10,120 fully loaded.....so if my math is right that suggests a 2,125# hitch wt. needed to quell most 'chucking". Never weighed system so no idea what I have been pulling. I just know it was pretty level with the air bags added to truck.