Excessive fifth wheel side to side sway.

[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!

[TennTom]

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.

[MARK A]

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

[BiggarView]

Are you towing with SRW or DRW truck?

[rohrmann]

What tires are you running and what pressure in the tires?

[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

[Mr Pachu]

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

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.

[BiggarView]

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.

[speedster100]

You need to upgrade to G rated tires..... Can't believe they still put E rated tires on Montana's....

[Overlord]

Check your leaf spring hangers, shackles & bolts, and rubber shear blocks in the equalizers.

[psomers]

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.

[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?

[darrylwt]

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!

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.

[jeffba]

Have you weighed your rig to ensure your truck tires can handle the weight?

[PSFORD99]

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

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.

[Mr Pachu]

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?

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.

[vipermanden]

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.

[Willrobe]

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.

[Sandra_David]

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

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.

[StageCoachDriver]

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.