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Old 11-21-2018, 12:27 PM   #1
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Fifth wheel sway problems

I have a 2019 Shasta Pheonix 370fe. I tow it with a 2017 ram 2500 stock short bed with a Reece 25K Q. The receiver is bolted on the lowest hole (after our fittest trip) . We encountered sway at 65. Anyone have similar problems.
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Old 11-21-2018, 12:52 PM   #2
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The only thing I can think of is that you don't have enough pin weight...

Or your 5'ver is too big and heavy for your truck.

After looking it up online...I believe it is probably too big and heavy for your truck.

Here are the specs I found for your 5'ver...

2019 Shasta Phoenix 370FE

Year 2019
Brand Shasta
Type Fifth Wheel
UVW 11,869 lbs
Dry Hitch 2,324 lbs
CCC 2,631 lbs
GVWR 14,500 lbs
Length (ft,in) 41' 9"
Width (ft,in) 8'
Height (ft,in) 12' 9"
Fresh Tank 48 gal
Gray Tank 90 gal
Black Tank 45 gal
Sleeps 6
Slides 5
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Old 11-21-2018, 01:06 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by JohnD10 View Post
The only thing I can think of is that you don't have enough pin weight...

Or your 5'ver is too big and heavy for your truck.

After looking it up online...I believe it is probably too big and heavy for your truck.

Here are the specs I found for your 5'ver...

2019 Shasta Phoenix 370FE

Year 2019
Brand Shasta
Type Fifth Wheel
UVW 11,869 lbs
Dry Hitch 2,324 lbs
CCC 2,631 lbs
GVWR 14,500 lbs
Length (ft,in) 41' 9"
Width (ft,in) 8'
Height (ft,in) 12' 9"
Fresh Tank 48 gal
Gray Tank 90 gal
Black Tank 45 gal
Sleeps 6
Slides 5

Agreed. This definitely looks like a camper where a 3500 is needed.
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Old 11-21-2018, 01:53 PM   #4
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Old 11-21-2018, 02:01 PM   #5
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My experience with any sway in a fiver is usually due to too much weight in the rear (not enough pin weight) and/or being out of level more than a few inches.

Tires and inflation could be part of the problem, but weight loads seem more prevalent.

As far as the weight police piling on, your truck is definitely near the limits with this trailer. But that being said, I've seen lots of folks towing the same or more with a 3/4 ton and no sway.

Our fiver is right at 12k loaded and the only time I get any sway is when the 50 gallon fresh tank is full and we have a gusty crosswind. Some idiot engineer thought it was a good idea to put it in the very back of the fiver
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Old 11-21-2018, 02:03 PM   #6
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Re-balance your fiver.

Upgrade or modify your truck.

Or, drive at 60!


Geoff
.
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Old 11-21-2018, 02:03 PM   #7
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As far as the weight police piling on, your truck is definitely near the limits with this trailer.
You're funny...
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Old 11-21-2018, 02:07 PM   #8
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I try
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Old 11-21-2018, 03:06 PM   #9
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This caught my eye because I've been looking at Ram 2500's the past couple weeks. I'm sure there are HD versions with bigger numbers, but most of the 2018's on the lot near me w/ the 6.4L list GVW at 9000, GCVW at 18,300, max trailer weight at 11,200, max tongue at 1120, and max 5er at 11,020.
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Old 11-21-2018, 04:58 PM   #10
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Problem fixed. I'm almost 4000 under tow weight, the problem was 2 things. Receiver was set to high and the pin box to low. I lowered the receiver to lowest bolt hole and raised the pin box one hole. I have enough clearance for the pinch point (6 1/2 inches). I made the adjustments today and took it for ride....0 problems. No sway. After doing some research on other forms, I found that the Ram 2500 and 3500 stock height is really high and causes problems with fifth wheels. The stock height for the bed rail at the receiver is 59 and 1/2 in unloaded.
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Old 11-21-2018, 05:49 PM   #11
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Fantastic! Congrats on the easy fix.
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Old 11-21-2018, 06:00 PM   #12
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Glad you got it working to your satisfaction.

You mentioned in your original post that you had lowered the hitch after your first trip and then mention that again as part of what corrected the sway.

Had you not driven the rig after lowering the hitch?
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Old 11-21-2018, 06:23 PM   #13
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I'm almost 4000 under tow weight...
What does that mean...

And how did you figure that number?
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Old 11-21-2018, 07:17 PM   #14
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Sounds like he's looking at the towing capacity instead of payload capacity.
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Old 11-21-2018, 08:05 PM   #15
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Sounds like he's looking at the towing capacity instead of payload capacity.
Yup!

He is overweight for that truck...

I should add that before anyone jumps on me for towing a 5'ver with a short box 2500HD (3/4 ton truck)...

My 5'ver weighs in at roughly 9500 pounds loaded and is 33-feet long...well within the tow rating of my truck!
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Old 11-22-2018, 06:46 AM   #16
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Yup!

He is overweight for that truck...

I should add that before anyone jumps on me for towing a 5'ver with a short box 2500HD (3/4 ton truck)...

My 5'ver weighs in at roughly 9500 pounds loaded and is 33-feet long...well within the tow rating of my truck!


Your 5er would be too much for my 3/4 ton diesel. My payload capacity is 2400lbs and I regularly travel with 4 full size adults
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Old 11-22-2018, 11:02 AM   #17
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Your 5er would be too much for my 3/4 ton diesel. My payload capacity is 2400lbs and I regularly travel with 4 full size adults
And therein lies one of the disadvantages of a diesel. My fifth wheel is similar to John's. The payload on my F-250 SD 6.2L gas gives me plenty.

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Old 11-22-2018, 11:31 AM   #18
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OP's problem was resolved by adjusting king pin box and hitch heights. Had nothing to do with weight capacities or the ridiculous manufacturer's CC suggestion. Weight police should start another thread
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Old 11-22-2018, 12:14 PM   #19
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OP's problem was resolved by adjusting king pin box and hitch heights. Had nothing to do with weight capacities or the ridiculous manufacturer's CC suggestion. Weight police should start another thread


Amazing even on thanksgiving you’re reply has to try and provoke someone. Once again the last line is not needed. Back on post 5 you suggested that the OP was close to his weight limit. Are you now the weight police that you mention here in this reply?
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Old 11-22-2018, 12:36 PM   #20
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Amazing even on thanksgiving you’re reply has to try and provoke someone. Once again the last line is not needed. Back on post 5 you suggested that the OP was close to his weight limit. Are you now the weight police that you mention here in this reply?
Happy Thanksgiving to you also Saus! Always enjoyable!!!
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