RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Fifth-Wheels: 5er "fishtailing" behind new pickup
RV Community | RV News & Reviews | RV Sales | Plan a Trip | RV Clubs & Services | RV Camping DealsRV.net
Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Help and Support  |  Contact

Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Fifth-Wheels

Open Roads Forum  >  Fifth-Wheels

 > 5er "fishtailing" behind new pickup

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 2  
Next
Mmaxed

Montana

New Member

Joined: 02/08/2007

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 05/16/08 08:57am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have been pulling my Jayco behind a Chev with a goose neck adaptor for 6 years. Just got a new Ford with a Curt 20k slider. Overall the new setup pulls the trailer great, but sometomes it fishtails a little bit. Can't really feel it in the pickup, but it is very noticable in the mirrors. The trailer is moving isde to side.

The only thing I didn't do before the test run was to air up the rear tires on the pickup. They were at about 55 psi.

Is there anything else I should look for to fond the problem?

eend

Alberta

Senior Member

Joined: 12/23/2004

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 05/16/08 09:05am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Too much weight in the rear of the trailer?? Or the trailer isn't level when it is hooked up to the truck? might have to adjust the goosneck/ fifthwheel head.


'98 GMC Z71 6.5 turbo diesel
1999 24.5' Prowler 5th wheel

donn0128

Pronounced Ore-gun

Senior Member

Joined: 04/21/2005

View Profile

Online
Posted: 05/16/08 09:06am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Get to the scales. Sounds like one of two things to me. Light on the pin or trailer no longer level.


Donn


Mfan

Otsego,Mi

Full Member

Joined: 01/04/2008

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 05/16/08 09:07am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The ford sits higher. probably need to adjust your hitch.

USA in a Chevrolet

Manahawkin, New Jersey

Senior Member

Joined: 02/25/2007

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 05/16/08 09:31am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Try airing up truck tires to maximum on tire specs label on door of truck. Also, check where the king pin rests in relation to truck rear axle. Should be above axle or slightly in front of it.





tvman44

Southwest Louisiana

Senior Member

Joined: 09/25/2007

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 05/16/08 10:07am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Sounds like not enough pin weight.


Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"


ttstansfield

tulsa

Senior Member

Joined: 01/30/2006

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 05/16/08 10:13am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

hmmm....55psi seems low for rear tyres....my GMC 2500 recommends 80 psi...might be something to look at....

Tony

Mmaxed

Montana

New Member

Joined: 02/08/2007

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 05/16/08 10:40am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Trailer does sit about 2.5" higher in front when measured from next to jacks in front and near rear bumper in back. King pin is a couple inches in front of rear axle.

It was just a test run, so no water on board. Fresh water tank is in front. Gray and black in rear. On a trip that weight is in front going and behind axles coming home. I have always been able to tell the difference, but in the past it has been chucking, not fishtailing.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I'll air up the rear tires next time and see what I have.

Fiver-Get-You-Ten

Chattanooga, TN

Senior Member

Joined: 04/01/2008

View Profile


Posted: 05/16/08 05:43pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

You might be looking too hard for the slightest movement and then over adjusting and making it worse. As a professional truck driver for 17 years pulling doubles I have found that it is much better not to pay that much attention to the sides of the trailers but what is beside you and that you are staying in your lane of travel.


2007 DODGE RAM 2500 4x4 QC CTD 5.9 4SPD AUTO RIDE-RITES PRODIGY REESE 16K KWIK-SLIDE*** 2008 MONTANA 3400RL

woodburner

Mentor Ohio

Senior Member

Joined: 12/03/2004

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 05/16/08 06:27pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Is your hitch installed properly; weight above the axle not behind it?


http://www.everest-owners.com/


Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 2  
Next

Open Roads Forum  >  Fifth-Wheels

 > 5er "fishtailing" behind new pickup
Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Fifth-Wheels


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:

© 2008 RV.Net | Terms & Conditions | PRIVACY POLICY | YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS