In need of some towing advice!

[DAVID A NEWBERRY]

Ok. Here is the situation. I own a 2013 GMC 2500HD 4x4 King cab diesel pickup truck. I have installed Timbren extra heavy duty spring helpers. ( advise from suspension garage) I recently purchased a used 5th wheel a 2015 Keystone Montana 3402RL with the Mor/ryde pin box and suspension. That being said I need some serious advice on how to stop the chucking. I doesn't matter if your going slow or fast. We took a 200 mile trip for Labor day and It was a horid trip. Could the mor/ryde rubber be damaged? Do I need a new pin box? The truck has all the power to pull the trailer it just bounces bad. We are just frustrated.

[Art-n-Marge]

I bought Firestone air bags (not Tibrens) and that stopped my chucking. I think that suspension garage would have recommended air bags, but they might only have a deal with Timbrens.

Air Bags are much more flexibility of adjustment. Mine can be adjusted from a 7 lb minimum to 100 lbs of suspension. The higher the number the stiffer the ride. Over the last 10 years of ownership, I use 50lbs and that returns the tow aspect to remove any sag, keep my headlights aimed like I wasn't towing and I have no chucking.

That Montana of yours might be too heavy for your truck. On the other hand there might be something wrong but I'd have to see it to debug it, since it could be SO MANY THINGS!

[hybridhauler]

X2 on the bags.

[DAVID A NEWBERRY]

Why would the camper bounce so bad? Our friends have a 2016 Montana 3910FB and it does not bounce as bad as mine. That is what is causing the chucking.

[1retired06]

New issue or has it always been chucking?

[1retired06]

[quote]Originally posted by 1retired06

Our 2015 3910FB has no bounce issues. 350 dually. Firestone airbags. 24k hitch. In fact I can't recall any serious chucking on any of our fivers. Leads me to suggest you have a problem somewhere, suspension, tire or rim problem, hitch, way out of level tow setup, something not working as designed on the fiver or your tow vehicle, and that because of the many variables, a knowledgable tech should inspect your rig and truck and work thru those variables.

[DAVID A NEWBERRY]

This issue is new to me. It is our first 5th wheel. I've had several Travel trailers in the past.

[sambam]

I would suggest first off to see that you're towing level or slightly down in front. With all the bouncing, I would suspect not enough weight on the pin. Also I had some chucking on my last trip which was new to me and turned out to be the hitch plate wasn't tight enough to the cross-member of the hitch, providing some play and making a racket stopping and pulling out from a stop. I doubt the pinbox is the issue if it's a 2015. Also, your truck is not old enough to have any worn parts, typically. The 3/4 ton guys can weigh in on the timbren/airbag discussion. You didn't mention what hitch you're pulling with. Maybe we can be of more help if you tell us.

[DAVID A NEWBERRY]

Sorry. I have the reese 16k slider 5th wheel hitch installed.

[WeBeFulltime]

I agree that you may not have enough pin weight. I also think it could be the Reese hitch and the fact that you are quite possibly overweight for your 3/4 Ton truck. Tembrens or air bags DO NOT increase your carrying capacity they just help to level/improve your ride. I added Air Lift air bags with in-cab controls simply to improve the ride on my F-350 and they are great for that.

[WaltBennett]

First check to see you're towing fairly level as was previously said. Second, it sounds like you've too little pin weight. If your fresh water tank was full (it's in the rear) and you had next to nothing in the basement or up front, that could be the reason. If your hitch is new, it shouldn't have any wear issues as ours does, but it only clanks every now and then when changing going forwards and back, and doesn't 'chuck'. Your pin box isn't that old to have any wear issues. The rubber bumpers in ours came loose last year from deterioration, and I haven't gotten around to taking the whole thing apart to replace them, but this one is six years old.

As to air bags - our F350 came with them, but I've never had to put more than 20 psi in to help the ride. It could be that the Timbrens are overkill and making your suspension too stiff.

[bncinwv]

The other thing to check is the placement of the hitch in the truck bed. Our Reese on our Chevy is slightly ahead of the rear axle. Exact measurements and specs should be available on-line. Just a thought.
Bingo

[bethandkevin]

quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

The other thing to check is the placement of the hitch in the truck bed. Our Reese on our Chevy is slightly ahead of the rear axle. Exact measurements and specs should be available on-line. Just a thought.
Bingo

I tend to agree with Bingo here. I would check the hitch installation to make sure it is correct placement wise and height wise as others have pointed to. As for pin weight, our 2013 is at 2920# on the pin when I am full of fresh water-I always tow with fresh full unless returning home. We have no chucking issues unless towing on rough or poorly repaired expressways. Then I think it is just the rhythm of the repairs and the distance apart that causes it. My truck does not have anything for suspension assist. I have the Reese 16K as well, but mine is a fixed mount.

[pkbridges77]

Have you gone to the scales yet for actual weight? That might eliminate at least part of the guessing game.

[CORattler]

Chucking for me was a king pin movement when stopping/starting (fore/aft). I had Firestone airbags and tried different pressure settings. I had a Pullrite Superglide and all adjustments were correct.
The problem went away once I installed the B&W Companion hitch with the puck system and I've not had the problem since

[DAVID A NEWBERRY]

What is your opinion on installing a air ride pin box? Do you think ot might help the chucking? The camper is level with the truck. The tires are at max 80psi. When we drive down the road there isnt a lot of up and down movement of the truck but the rear of the trailer seems to bounce.

[jlb27537]

David, first weigh your rig. Truck first and second hooked up. Determine what your actual weights are.

Next loose the Timbrens. They provide way too stiff ride for the truck. If you need either Timbrens or air bags, you do not have enough truck.

Next determine the actual weight of the trailer. The Mor/Ryde pin box has a rubber spring that has a number on the side of it. They (Mor/Ryde) usually install a spring that is too stiff. Mine had a "5" in it and I exchanged it for a "4".

You probably have a group of conditions:
A overloaded truck with a rear suspension that is too stiff with Timbrens.
A rubber spring that is too stiff for the trailer weight.
Not enough pin weight.
A hitch too far rearward making the front axle light.

With the correct truck, hitch location and correct rubber pin block it will pull like it is not even there.

A air pin will NOT correct chucking.

Jim

[GA Mountaineer]

quote:Originally posted by DAVID A NEWBERRY

The camper is level with the truck. The tires are at max 80psi. When we drive down the road there isnt a lot of up and down movement of the truck but the rear of the trailer seems to bounce.

Cheap "ST" tires. Get some good "G" rated tires, Goodyear G614 or the Sailun S637. The stiff sidewalls of the heavy duty tires don't flex as much and the trailer bounce is reduced. Do not lower the air pressure in the ST tires, they will fail.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by jlb27537

...You probably have a group of conditions:
A overloaded truck...Not enough pin weight.


Jim

There's the problem, stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[jlb27537]

quote:Originally posted by TLightning

There's the problem, stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Tom, I think you nailed it.

Now David, go weigh the truck/trailer, get us the weights and a picture of the truck/trailer hooked up. Also, look real good at the slider hitch. When in the forward locked position is it rock solid?

Block trailer wheels, have someone look at hitch while you gently pull forward and backward, looking for movement of the hitch. You will see some on the mor/ride pin box, which you should have. The hitch must be rock solid in the truck.

My thought again is a combination of things. Too stiff of rear suspension and not enough weight on front axle of truck, and possible movement of hitch, Ie: not locking into a 100% solid position.

Good Luck. Get it weighed, and get back to us.

Jim