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Rough 5th wheel Towing

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  • Rough 5th wheel Towing

    Hi. We just purchased a used 2018 GD Solitude 5th wheel in Jan 2020 and had a Curt 20,000 lb rated hitch installed. On our first long trip we hit a dip and the truck and RV bounced up and down at slightly separate intervals (called porpoising?) and the RV pulled back against the truck strongly (Chucking?). Did I get terms correct?
    How can stop or lessen this very unpleasant feeling?
    Thanks a bunch for your input!

  • #2
    Originally posted by JLAIRD8888@GMAIL.COM View Post
    How can stop or lessen this very unpleasant feeling?
    Hello and welcome to the forum!

    To reduce the up and down and fore and aft motions you're referring to, you need either a pinbox or hitch that absorbs these motions. There are a couple manufacturers that make air bag hitches. There are also a few manufacturers that make hitches with airbags, shocks, rubber bushings and other devices to absorb motion.

    I have a Hensley Trailersaver BD3-F hitch that has airbags. Our new Solitude has the MORryde pinbox with a rubber bushing that slides forward and backward to reduce chucking. These two in combination significantly reduce the "unpleasant feeling" you are concerned about. Any hitch that has a solid/fixed connection to the pinbox will result in a rougher ride. Physics...
    Last edited by bertschb; 04-17-2020, 12:21 PM.
    Brian & Kellie
    2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
    2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch

    Previous setups:
    2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
    2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch

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    • #3
      I would sell the Curt and install a Goosebox pin box if you have a gooseneck ball too. A B&W Companion hitch and Morryde pin box is a good combo too. I have a Goosebox on our Momentum. We don't have any chucking.
      2018 F450 Lariat Ultimate 4x4, magnetic grey
      2019 Momentum 381M w/Reese Goosebox 2.0, no FBP :(

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      • #4
        Another consideration is the Anderson Ultimate Hitch, this is what I use and am very pleased with it....
        Keith and Diane
        2014 Reflection 337 RLS
        2017 Ram 3500 SRW Cummins Mega Cab

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        • #5
          Other than changing hitches as mentioned there is not much you can fix. First are you using a lube plate? Check with Curt on their recommendations. Second is your rig level with you truck when towing? Nose high or low can increase the forces. I have a Reese Titan R20 that has isolation bushings and very tight tolerances. No chucking, bouncing, rattling, porpoising, etc. Lastly how are the shocks on your tow vehicle. Proper shocks can make a huge difference. Also if you are close to your towing GVWR or max axle rating and have a lot of suspension travel, air bags could help. Your truck should be fairly level (no big squat nose high) when hooked up.

          Hope this helps
          2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by JLAIRD8888@GMAIL.COM View Post
            Hi. We just purchased a used 2018 GD Solitude 5th wheel in Jan 2020 and had a Curt 20,000 lb rated hitch installed. On our first long trip we hit a dip and the truck and RV bounced up and down at slightly separate intervals (called porpoising?) and the RV pulled back against the truck strongly (Chucking?). Did I get terms correct?
            How can stop or lessen this very unpleasant feeling?
            Thanks a bunch for your input!
            Some other hitch may indeed help with this condition. I think we all would agree that there are certain road conditions that will have this affect on any of those hitches. We have been towing our first fifth wheel for 2 years I have experienced this a few times but have had many more miles of smooth riding.

            Brian
            Brian & Michelle
            2018 Reflection 29RS
            2022 Chevy 3500HD

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            • #7
              I don't have any of the fancy airbag stuff. Straight connections. I have experienced the bounce you have described. We experienced bad chucking on I-10 in Louisiana. We shook a chandelier loose in Colorado. We bounced the Xbox off the shelf in Maine. We bent a spindle in Oklahoma. There are some really bad roads in the USA. But most of the time it is smooth driving.

              I just slow down a little to get rid of the bouncing and chucking.

              2017 Momentum 376, 2019 Ford F450
              2022 Triumph Scrambler Motorcycle
              E-bikes, Hobi Pedal Kayaks
              Kota the dog and KC the Kitty Cat

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