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03-11-2019, 06:48 PM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Meaa
Posts: 79
M.O.C. #21072
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Excessive fifth wheel side to side sway.
Hi all,
On our last trip, there were a couple occasions where our rig (3610RL) got to swaying side to side. Wind was not a factor, nor was lane changing. I had to slow way down until the rig settled. Has anyone else experienced this type of swaying? If so, did you determine the cause?
Thanks in advance!
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03-11-2019, 07:10 PM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Holladay
Posts: 209
M.O.C. #22087
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You normally see TT's sway due to lack of weight on the tongue. They require 10-15 percent of the weight. Don't normally see it in 5vers. They require 15-25 percent. To much weight in the rear can make it sway. Another thing to look at is axle alignment. I would think that would be easy to spot by looking behind you but more pronounced in abnormal tire wear. I would first look at alignment then take it to a CAT to see how you have it loaded. There may be other causes and I am sure someone will pipe in to include them.
__________________
2019 HC 381TH
2021 Ram 3500 6.7 HO
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03-11-2019, 07:31 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STAYTON
Posts: 1,118
M.O.C. #18157
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If it was an isolated incident for a few miles then quit, it was likely the road, and possibly a combination of over correction? If it wagged it’s tail all the way home, I would spend some time around your springs and shackles.
Mark
__________________
“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”
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03-11-2019, 07:50 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: home base IL, OTR anywhere
Posts: 533
M.O.C. #19382
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Are you towing with SRW or DRW truck?
__________________
2017 RAM 3500 Laramie CCLB Dually CTD Aisin, OEM auto level rear air-ride, B&W hitch
2020 3813MS Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde 8K IS & pinbox, PI EMS,DIY mods by in-house "craftsman", RV security system Mk1 Beagle Alerter
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03-11-2019, 09:52 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,697
M.O.C. #12947
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What tires are you running and what pressure in the tires?
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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03-11-2019, 10:29 PM
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#6
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Meaa
Posts: 79
M.O.C. #21072
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Tires 80 psi cold. Tow vehicle Dodge 2500 single rear wheels.
This wasn’t an over correction issue. The sway is not the rear end side to side. The sway is from side to side from top to bottom
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03-11-2019, 10:45 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: R
Posts: 261
M.O.C. #17922
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maggiesclan
Tires 80 psi cold. Tow vehicle Dodge 2500 single rear wheels.
This wasn’t an over correction issue. The sway is not the rear end side to side. The sway is from side to side from top to bottom
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I'm assuming that you have load range E tires on your trailer since you have them inflated to 80psi. I had found my 2015 3790RD did the same thing as what you are referring to. This all stopped when I installed Sailun load range G tires and inflated them to 110psi.
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03-12-2019, 05:06 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: home base IL, OTR anywhere
Posts: 533
M.O.C. #19382
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Could you explain "side to side from top to bottom". So far it sounds like a trailer wheel alignment issue but that assumes the issue still persists. If your 3610RL is loaded up, it is certain your 2500 is overloaded on the rear axle. Don't know what role that would play in what you are reporting without more information.
__________________
2017 RAM 3500 Laramie CCLB Dually CTD Aisin, OEM auto level rear air-ride, B&W hitch
2020 3813MS Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde 8K IS & pinbox, PI EMS,DIY mods by in-house "craftsman", RV security system Mk1 Beagle Alerter
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03-12-2019, 05:46 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: owen sound
Posts: 491
M.O.C. #17566
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You need to upgrade to G rated tires..... Can't believe they still put E rated tires on Montana's....
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03-12-2019, 05:58 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: gresham
Posts: 489
M.O.C. #11202
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Check your leaf spring hangers, shackles & bolts, and rubber shear blocks in the equalizers.
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03-12-2019, 06:13 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northport
Posts: 624
M.O.C. #12724
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During the time of sway you were not behind a big semi by chance? I've had big semi pass me and cut in and cause a feeling of sway.
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Paul Northport,AL W4XH
2013 358 RLT Mountaineer
2008 Silverado Duramax
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03-12-2019, 08:28 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 779
M.O.C. #18384
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It sounds like you're saying the trailer is listing (like a boat running parallel to the waves) left to right. If this is the case, than as previously mentioned, you need to check for bent or broken suspension components on both the truck and the trailer. Could it of ben an undulating roads?
__________________
2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
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03-12-2019, 11:05 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Anaheim Hills, CA
Posts: 161
M.O.C. #17873
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maggiesclan
Hi all,
On our last trip, there were a couple occasions where our rig (3610RL) got to swaying side to side. Wind was not a factor, nor was lane changing. I had to slow way down until the rig settled. Has anyone else experienced this type of swaying? If so, did you determine the cause?
Thanks in advance!
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Mine does not sway at all but I run 105 PSI in my tires and I have a long bed 3500HD non dually truck, but if that happens just reach down and push the truck braking control to apply the trailer brakes and it should stop it to be safe. my tires are 235/85/16 14 ply another thing is to check the tires on the truck for 10 ply and 80 PSI and air bags on the truck may help.
__________________
2015 Chevy 3500 Z71 Long Bed and 2019 Montana 3120RL 20th Anniversary
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03-12-2019, 12:00 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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Have you weighed your rig to ensure your truck tires can handle the weight?
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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03-12-2019, 12:41 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Centerville
Posts: 1,350
M.O.C. #9051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maggiesclan
Tires 80 psi cold. Tow vehicle Dodge 2500 single rear wheels.
This wasn’t an over correction issue. The sway is not the rear end side to side. The sway is from side to side from top to bottom
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I tow a 2008 3400 RL with SRW, but with G rated Sailuns at 100 psi. To be honest I can't get my fifth wheel to sway back ,and forth under normal circumstances.
I have checked to see how much sway I would get with just a bit of over correction, out of curiosity with no one around me, and there is basically none, it sways ,but quickly corrects it self, if that makes sense.
It sure sounds like you got tire issues or suspension. Or loaded way wrong, and heavy in the back . These fifth wheels are pretty stable set up right.
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03-12-2019, 06:51 PM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: R
Posts: 261
M.O.C. #17922
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Theunz
It sounds like you're saying the trailer is listing (like a boat running parallel to the waves) left to right. If this is the case, than as previously mentioned, you need to check for bent or broken suspension components on both the truck and the trailer. Could it of ben an undulating roads?
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I think the quote above is exactly what he is referring to. My 3790 with E rated tires would actually lean to one side if the road dipped a bit on that side. Then when it came out of the dip, it would sometimes rock back and forth from side to side (not tail wagging). The trailer would lean to the right then to the left then back to the right. I believe this was due to the flex in the sidewall of load range E tires. This all quit when I upgraded to load range G tires and when towing on the same highway. The suspension was all good on my trailer. Hoping I explained it well enough so that you all can understand what I was trying to say.
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03-17-2019, 01:47 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: North Lake Tahoe
Posts: 639
M.O.C. #18510
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This probably is not why, but just wondering about your 5th wheel hitch in the truck? Mine is a B&W Companion, and it has a shock absorber built into it for side to side movement, and it is really hard to push on by hand, so it keeps the rocking of the 5th wheel to a minimum, but if it were worn out, or had a leak, and it is easy to push side to side by hand, maybe that could be contributing to it? Again, not sure, but just wanted to throw this out there.
__________________
2017 3820FK Legacy Edition full body paint Montana, For Sale this November, 2018. 2016 Ram 3500 long bed Dually Cummins Turbo with air bags
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03-17-2019, 04:24 PM
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#18
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Linn Valley
Posts: 9
M.O.C. #22767
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There are some good responses to your note here, but the first thing I would look at is the distribution of weight in the storage spaces. If you have loaded to much weight behind the back axles vs in front of them, it will cause a serious sway. My Dad jack knifed his camper many years ago due to this.
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03-17-2019, 04:59 PM
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#19
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 101
M.O.C. #20440
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maggiesclan
Tires 80 psi cold. Tow vehicle Dodge 2500 single rear wheels.
This wasn’t an over correction issue. The sway is not the rear end side to side. The sway is from side to side from top to bottom
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I recommend you look at the camper tires and upgrade to the Sailun G Rated tires.
The heavier rigs really need the new G Rated tires.
I would think you should verify the camper suspension is good and if so, upgrade the tires
Good luck.
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03-17-2019, 05:08 PM
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#20
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Reno
Posts: 291
M.O.C. #22620
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One tip for controlling side to side swaying, use the manual brake lever to give the trailer a little braking action. It can help dampen or stop the sway.
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