5th wheel trailer sway..I'm perplexed

[kamper00]

From the last 2 posts, does seem certain trailers work better with certain tow vehicles than others...so many variables....also wondering if the shorter wheelbase with the short bed and super cab could be a play with this particular camper. It's a long shot but thinking on the line of harmonics. There was a highway in MA, 495 that the way the pavement was, or more in particular the expansion joints, depending on your truck trailer combo it would cause a synchronous bounce that was so annoying, so in the same theory, this new 5er that is just 2' longer is not matched with the truck....just a thought.

[Dlockwood26]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I have the same 5th wheel you traded. (well, the Flagstaff model)
Mine tows straight as an arrow. No sway.

I didn't have much sway but lots of bounce. Didn't trade because of trailering. Our camping style seemed to be changing also. More full hookups less boondocking. The overall improved trailering was just a bonus.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by kamper00

From the last 2 posts, does seem certain trailers work better with certain tow vehicles than others...so many variables....also wondering if the shorter wheelbase with the short bed and super cab could be a play with this particular camper. It's a long shot but thinking on the line of harmonics. There was a highway in MA, 495 that the way the pavement was, or more in particular the expansion joints, depending on your truck trailer combo it would cause a synchronous bounce that was so annoying, so in the same theory, this new 5er that is just 2' longer is not matched with the truck....just a thought.

I think things happen no matter the combo.
I've have/had many 5th wheels and we have a stretch of road where the expansion joints have played havoc with all of them. I've thought about an air ride pin box or hitch but my BIL's does the same and he has the air ride pin.

With that said... there is no doubt, longer wheelbases typically do better.

[Dlockwood26]

Originally Posted by kamper00

From the last 2 posts, does seem certain trailers work better with certain tow vehicles than others...so many variables....also wondering if the shorter wheelbase with the short bed and super cab could be a play with this particular camper. It's a long shot but thinking on the line of harmonics. There was a highway in MA, 495 that the way the pavement was, or more in particular the expansion joints, depending on your truck trailer combo it would cause a synchronous bounce that was so annoying, so in the same theory, this new 5er that is just 2' longer is not matched with the truck....just a thought.

I think you are onto something here. Good Luck!

[brian372lok]

So kamper00 went up a tire size. I have some tale wag on my 372LOK. So i am thinking about changing my Westlake E rated for 75mph tires. I was thinking a G rated Sailun tire which seems to have good reviews. Does anyone think this tire be better for the tail wag being a stiffer side wall. Do i have to tow at 110psi, or maybe 90 or 100? Will the stiffer tire be tough on my trailer? What about going with the 235/85/r16 which is .9 inch taller but raise the trailer .45" in my circumstance cant hurt with a taller truck in the 17 f350 srw i tow with.

Thoughts?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

I know TT towing wants 10-15% on the ball.
What is the desired range for 5er pin weight?

15-25% of total camper weight on the pin is the number that is most often used for 5th wheels.

Too light (less than 15%) will cause sway and steering issues.
Too heavy (above 25%) will cause instability in panic stops.

Too light can also cause front wheel "hunting" where you need to keep your hands on the wheel constantly making corrections. Excessive front wheel tire wear is usually a sign of low pin weight. I change my front tires twice as often as rears and my pin ratio is 16.5%.

[brian372lok]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

15-25% of total camper weight on the pin is the number that is most often used for 5th wheels.

Too light (less than 15%) will cause sway and steering issues.
Too heavy (above 25%) will cause instability in panic stops.

Too light can also cause front wheel "hunting" where you need to keep your hands on the wheel constantly making corrections. Excessive front wheel tire wear is usually a sign of low pin weight. I change my front tires twice as often as rears and my pin ratio is 16.5%.

I am almost exactly at 20%. I towed with a little water but i didnt get the slight wind that makes the issues. No wind it tows like a dream. Just unsure about the tires in general although the Westlake seem to have better reviews than Castle Rocks. Thought is a stiffer tire might stop the wag? Thoughts?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by brian372lok

I am almost exactly at 20%. I towed with a little water but i didnt get the slight wind that makes the issues. No wind it tows like a dream. Just unsure about the tires in general although the Westlake seem to have better reviews than Castle Rocks. Thought is a stiffer tire might stop the wag? Thoughts?

Are your truck tires "P" tires?

[herbike]

Originally Posted by Iggy

I would also have them check the axle alignment and suspension.
Seems something is out of alignment.

I would agree with Iggy. There's not much else that will effect a fifth wheel that way.
Especially with the problems we had with the bad axles on our bumper pull, they use the same axles under all trailers, just rated for the load.
Never had any problems with a properly aligned fifth wheel or gooseneck.

[brian372lok]

Truck and trailer both have E tires. Considering a G on the trailer.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by brian372lok

Truck and trailer both have E tires. Considering a G on the trailer.

I just realized you had a 250. They come with LT tires so the "P" series tires they put on 150s would not be a factor.

[kamper00]

Just wanted to provide an update...
The new tires on the camper is a big improvement for stability of the camper, but it still pushes the truck around a bit. Had some gusty winds on my way home today, it did not sway the camper, but I could defiantly feel the truck wanting to move. The only way I can describe the feeling is if anyone remembers driving those antique cars at an amusement park, well envision driving one with the kind of steering it has with tires that were low on air...I am being extreme on my description but that's the sensation at times.
Came home tonight and got 3 of the 4 Bilstein shocks installed, hopefully get it all done tomorrow night. Hoping it will improve the handling.

Stay tuned...

[brian372lok]

Kamper00...Glad to hear the tires helped. I am still up in air if i should replace them before my 1200 miles trip to Florida. I have e tires and would go to a g rated. Does it seem to ride stiffer? Shocks are not in the plan.

[kamper00]

the new tires are stiffer, just from the way it tracks. Also even just walking around in the camper it seems less squishy as compared to the original tires

[Comanchecreek]

If it still sways after all you have done then you might want to consider springs on the trailer with a heavier spring rate than what you have. Springs are cheaper than what you might think, but fairly labor intensive to put on. Sacrifice would be to overall ride especially on concrete highways with expansion joints.

[kamper00]

I have torsion axles on the camper...

[kamper00]

I just wanted to add, when driving yesterday with gusty winds, the trailer stayed true and straight, it was the truck that felt the winds. It felt like the camper as transferring the movement to the truck without moving itself. My gut says the truck tires are adding some issues here even though my last trailer was fine. They are Bridgestone Duelers load range E revo..might be some tread squirm as they have less than 4000 miles on them

[kamper00]

Doing some homework into the tires on my truck, they are Bridgestone Duelers Revo2's. IN talking to a tech at tirerack, He would recommend the Michelin LTX defenders as the Bridgestone tires I have now are a on and off road tread and can result in some "mushsy" experience when towing. I hate to replace tires that only have 4000 miles but safetly is #1, I know the truck towed fine with the old camper, but it just might be enough to throw the balance of things off???

thoughts on this angle?

[NMWildcat]

I know lots of folks that pull with all terrain tires. Can't believe it would make a major difference. But, like everyone on the forum, I'm no expert.

[goduc]

BS on Tirerack. They just want to sell you some newer tires. I'm running BFG KO2's and have zero sway issues with my 5th wheel.