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Mrernestp
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 09/11/2023
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I am in search of some practical (layman terms) help for fifth wheel chucking.
I am relatively new to fifth wheeling and towing in general.
I have a 29 ft fifth wheel with a 11,000 lb GVWR (older so heavier).
My truck is a 2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD. Not full size but longer bed (6’ 10”) I believe.
Curt flex air hitch (for short bed so it has a longer neck.)
Reese 20k receiver
I have horrific chucking! Teeth grinding, mind numbing, coffee splattering, child waking level jolting over bridge seems ect.
I’m talking horrific.
I need help.
I understand (tell me if I’m wrong), that my pin/hitch weight needs to be 20% of the total trailers GVWR (loaded weight).
If my pin weight is that target, and I’m still experiencing this horrid chucking, WHAT do I do?
I’m going to upgrade to a newer and larger fifth wheel at some point, but to be honest I am terrified the issue will remain and don’t know how to resolve this or identify it before buying another rig.
Is it because it’s such a short trailer or causes too much hitch weight?
Is it because the shocks are old and spungy?
Is my stuff loaded improperly inside trailer? (Note it chucks with or without a load and there’s not much rearranging contents even possible in a small trailer)
Any practical information for a novice would be greatly appreciated.
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ford truck guy
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 03/22/2008
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it could be a lot of things..... what part of PA are you from?
I HAD a Lippert Flex Air hitch ( basically the same ) and had chucking from the airbag being low at times.... thats a fast check
Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet
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eHoefler
ozark mountains
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Check the location of your fifth wheel hitch, It needs to be forward of the rear axle, preferably 4". Since you have a short bed truck, chances are it is centered on or behind the rear axle
2021 Ram Limited, 3500, Crew Cab, 1075FTPD of Torque!, Max Tow, Long bed, 4 x 4, Dually,
2006 40' Landmark Mt. Rushmore
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Mrernestp
Pennsylvania
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Western pa (Pittsburgh area). I’ve wondered also about the air bag not working properly. The arrow and line that shows where it should sit hitched is right. So I “think” there is the correct amount of air.
The hitch is mounted with the GM mounting brackets which as far as I understand is the only place on the frame it can go.
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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Did you take it to the CAT scales to see what the real weights are?
What kind of roads were you on? Was it all kinds or one specific stretch? I know of one stretch near where we live where the joint spacing causes rhythmic bouncing...even just the truck by itself.
My guess is the fancy airbag hitch has something wrong. 5ers are known to pull great with no need for adjustment or fancy add ons.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
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ReneeG
Meridian, Idaho
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Hitch and also the suspension. We have a TrailerSaver BD3 with air bags AND Equa-flex spring suspensions. We boondock a lot taking FS roads, but even on paved roads, we don't have that chucking.
2011 Bighorn 3055RL
2011 F350 DRW 6.7L 4x4 Diesel Lariat and Hensley TrailerSaver BD3
1992 Jeep ZJ and 1978 Coleman Concord Pop-Up for remote camping
Dave & Renee plus (Champ, Molly, Paris, Missy, and Maggie in spirit), Mica and Mabel, both Rat Terriers!
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MFL
Midwest
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Joined: 11/28/2012
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Newer truck, older fifth wheel, can cause a nose high tow. If too much nose high, chucking may result.
Jerry
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Durb
NW
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Joined: 01/15/2016
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Unfortunately, all fifth wheels are different and the short ones are more susceptible to generating chucking forces. One thing you might want to check is your Flex-Air pin box. As fifth wheels rotate around an axis and due to the high hitch angle, the pin box pushes down and forward when the tires go over a bump or road imperfection. Check the lower arm of your pin box. If it is pointing down towards your hitch, then it is pushing forward during compression and making chucking worse. Decrease air pressure so it is pointing up.
I too have a 11,000# GVW fiver, 31 ft., and the chucking was horrendous to the point of my wife telling me to sell the trailer half an hour into our first trip. I chose to go with a Trailer Saver TS3 hitch which has geometry just the opposite of your pin box; the hitch retracts when being compressed. Chucking disappeared completely.
You will soon receive comments regarding truck improvements such as shocks; they don't do anything. Your trailer is pushing forward against your frame, completely out of of the suspension vectors.
If you want, private message an email address and I will forward a paper describing what causes chucking and possible solutions. I know it is frustrating; awesome truck, relatively lightweight trailer, and the tow is bad.
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sayoung
Tx
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When I had a Reese hitch I found keeping some amount of water in the fresh water tank helped with chucking. But my 5er is heavier .. I allways thought it might of had more to do with the sloppy machining of the jaws on the standard Reese hitch?i went to a BW Patriot and ride much better but found a deal on a used airride hitch. With my AirSafe airbag hitch no chucking/bouncing etc
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rhagfo
Portland, OR
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Well some stuff I did to reduce chucking,new Bilstein shock on the TV, Shocks on the trailer, leveled the trailer when hitched, and run with a nearly full fresh water tank which is just forward of the axles. We run about 22% pin weight.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#
"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"
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