Chucking and hitch position

[Montie]

Alright, I’ve got a 2023 Chevy 3500 SRW crew cab standard bed (6.5 ft). B&W 25k Companion non sliding mounted to oem fifth wheel prep (pucks). New Montana is much heavier than my last fifth wheel. The truck definitely knows this trailer is there. I wouldn’t say its excessively chucking but it is chucking. The hitch has 2 mounting positions for the arms that hold the hitch, a rearward mount that puts the trailer king pit about an inch or inch and a half behind the trucks axle or it could be directly over the axle. My question is how much of an impact will that have on towing comfort? I needed the hitch more rearward for my last trailer but I might be able to reposition for the new one. I’ve only towed this trailer like 4 times. The last time was the first time it was actually loaded for camping. I just put airbags on the truck to level it out. And haven’t yet towed to see how much this will help. I suspect it will help. I was surprised how much the truck squatted even with my last trailer so I always planned on airbags. I know the trucks numbers and it is plenty capable of towing this trailer safely and with out exceeding the specs

 

[jsb5717]

If the weight numbers work out so that you are towing within the limits of the truck then you might just need some air bags to smooth out the ride. My last TV was a SRW short box and air bags helped a lot. With an onboard compressor it's easy to to make adjustments on the fly until the ride feels good for the road you're on.

 

[twindman]

There are two related types of 'bouncing'. Chucking which is a forward/backward movement, and bucking which is up and down. I had some chucking and got a morryde pin box which has some 'bumpers' on the box and a bar they slide on. This description may not be very accurate tho!

The new pinbox helped some - maybe 50%.

 

[Scubado]

Gmc 3500

If you have the clearance, you probably want the hitch over the rear axle. But the only way to confirm this is to weigh the truck axles. You want some of the trailer weight to be on the front axle. You do not want the trailer weight to be to far back that you are taking weight off the front axle.
I just picked up my 2025 GMC 3500HD SRW Crew Cab Diesel LONG Box. I also have the B&W 25K Fixed 5th wheel. With having the long box I have mine set to get more weight forward. I haven't hooked the trailer up yet but the first thing I plan on doing after it has been summer-ized is to take it to the scale and take all sorts of weight readings to confirm what I think it should be.
One thing that I added was Timbren SES suspension enhancement system.
I've had both Timbrens on trucks and air bags. (Not at the same time) Both have their places.
I forgot to say that I put a Gen Y King Pin box on this winter. I have not tried it yet with my setup but with the torsion flex it should make things smoother.
https://timbren.com/
https://genyhitch.com/fifth-wheel-towing/

 

[Monte421]

I have a air ride pin box, no chucking with that. Curious if the genY box would be better.

 

[Montie]

If you have the clearance, you probably want the hitch over the rear axle. But the only way to confirm this is to weigh the truck axles. You want some of the trailer weight to be on the front axle. You do not want the trailer weight to be to far back that you are taking weight off the front axle.
I just picked up my 2025 GMC 3500HD SRW Crew Cab Diesel LONG Box. I also have the B&W 25K Fixed 5th wheel. With having the long box I have mine set to get more weight forward. I haven't hooked the trailer up yet but the first thing I plan on doing after it has been summer-ized is to take it to the scale and take all sorts of weight readings to confirm what I think it should be.
One thing that I added was Timbren SES suspension enhancement system.
I've had both Timbrens on trucks and air bags. (Not at the same time) Both have their places.
I forgot to say that I put a Gen Y King Pin box on this winter. I have not tried it yet with my setup but with the torsion flex it should make things smoother.
https://timbren.com/
https://genyhitch.com/fifth-wheel-towing/

Yes I’m definitely going to reposition the hitch and check the truck/trailer clearance. I’m sure your GMC will tow well having a longer wheel base. I originally wanted an Extended cab long bed. But when I got the chance to order my truck dealerships were still having ordering restrictions. So I ended up with the short bed crew cab. Probably for the best as the long bed would not have fit in my driveway. I also plan to get to a scale as soon as possible.

 

[Scubado]

I don't know if the Gen Y pin box would be any better or not for the ride. What I liked about the Gen Y is no airbags to adjust pressure in and no airbags to replace if they leak. Basically, maintenance free. Just need to inspect. The Gen Y has a lifetime warranty available on the torsion flex if it would ever fail. I haven't pulled the trailer with it yet, but I have friend that has it and absolutely loves it.

 

[Scubado]

Yes I’m definitely going to reposition the hitch and check the truck/trailer clearance. I’m sure your GMC will tow well having a longer wheel base. I originally wanted an Extended cab long bed. But when I got the chance to order my truck dealerships were still having ordering restrictions. So I ended up with the short bed crew cab. Probably for the best as the long bed would not have fit in my driveway. I also plan to get to a scale as soon as possible.

I ordered mine back in September 2024 and it just came in February 2025. Long wait but I didn't need it before April 2025, so I figured that if I'm going to spend this much money, I'm going to order it the way I want it. GM still has restrictions on the orders. I ordered it with "Upfitter Switches" and it did not come in with them. That will end up being a dealer installed option.

 

[Todd & Mary]

Camping world installed the B&W Companion hitch to the most rear position, It didn't ride well so I moved it to the forward position and it improved the ride. I also have airbags on the F350 dually truck.

 

[wavewackers]

Camping world installed the B&W Companion hitch to the most rear position, It didn't ride well so I moved it to the forward position and it improved the ride. I also have airbags on the F350 dually truck.

Did you have any issues with RV to Truck clearance when you did this? I'm thinking on trying it.

 

[Todd & Mary]

No, make sure you use the same elevation holes and ensure the rig is level front to back and you will be fine.
Just move the sides forward, I think it is only like 3" forward and there may be an intermediate set of holes available as well. Good Luck it made our ride vastly more comfortable.

 

[DutchmenSport]

I have a totally different hitch, and it's positioned directly over the rear axles. I also have a dually, so no issues at all.

But, one thing that is a bit of an inconvenience is the distance between the tail gate and the cargo doors on the front of the camper. I wish there was a bit more distance between the two because I cannot open either of those 2 doors quite enough to gain access without unhitching first.

It's just a thought, something to consider, and maybe something you didn't think about if moving the hitch forward a few inches.

 

[wavewackers]

No, make sure you use the same elevation holes and ensure the rig is level front to back and you will be fine.
Just move the sides forward, I think it is only like 3" forward and there may be an intermediate set of holes available as well. Good Luck it made our ride vastly more comfortable.

Do have a long box truck?

 

[wavewackers]

I have a totally different hitch, and it's positioned directly over the rear axles. I also have a dually, so no issues at all.

But, one thing that is a bit of an inconvenience is the distance between the tail gate and the cargo doors on the front of the camper. I wish there was a bit more distance between the two because I cannot open either of those 2 doors quite enough to gain access without unhitching first.

It's just a thought, something to consider, and maybe something you didn't think about if moving the hitch forward a few inches.

Do you have a long box truck?

 

[ferdinand233]

I have a totally different hitch, and it's positioned directly over the rear axles. I also have a dually, so no issues at all.

But, one thing that is a bit of an inconvenience is the distance between the tail gate and the cargo doors on the front of the camper. I wish there was a bit more distance between the two because I cannot open either of those 2 doors quite enough to gain access without unhitching first.

It's just a thought, something to consider, and maybe something you didn't think about if moving the hitch forward a few inches.

Another thing worth considering is your turning radius, moving the hitch forward even slightly might help smooth out those tight turns, especially in campgrounds or when backing into weird angles

 

[DutchmenSport]

Do have a long box truck?

Yes ... long bed, crew cab, dually. The inter bed length is 8 feet 1 inch. Fits a sheet of plywood flat on the floor with no issues at all between the wheel wells.