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Old 08-19-2017, 07:07 PM   #1
ajbriz
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bouncing/chucking

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.
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Old 08-19-2017, 07:32 PM   #2
JRTJH
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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).
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Old 08-19-2017, 08:14 PM   #3
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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.
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Old 08-19-2017, 09:43 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
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.
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Old 08-20-2017, 04:14 AM   #5
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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.
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Old 08-20-2017, 05:36 AM   #6
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I have spent years doing different things in an attempt to eliminate chucking. Mainly because it gives a negative connotation to my name

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!!
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Old 08-20-2017, 06:40 AM   #7
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Quote:
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I have spent years doing different things in an attempt to eliminate chucking. Mainly because it gives a negative connotation to my name
Reminds me of an early, Saturday Night Live skit.
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Old 08-20-2017, 06:52 AM   #8
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shocks

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.
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Old 08-20-2017, 10:03 AM   #9
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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!
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Old 08-20-2017, 10:33 AM   #10
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Putting them on the 5er will help also!
Is there a thread on how to do that?
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Old 08-20-2017, 11:58 AM   #11
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Search the forum using "adding shocks" and it will yield a few threads.
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Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

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Old 08-20-2017, 02:49 PM   #12
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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.
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Old 08-20-2017, 03:12 PM   #13
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I had factory shocks on my'97 Jayco. It broke the mounts off twice.
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2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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Old 08-20-2017, 03:44 PM   #14
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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.
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Old 08-20-2017, 04:16 PM   #15
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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.
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Old 08-20-2017, 04:31 PM   #16
larry337
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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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Old 08-20-2017, 04:55 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo View Post
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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Old 08-20-2017, 06:25 PM   #18
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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.
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Old 08-21-2017, 06:03 AM   #19
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Can shocks be added to 5er with MORryde CRE3000 suspension.?
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Old 08-21-2017, 06:18 AM   #20
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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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