Rough Riding 5th Wheel

[Worthmo]

My original Post: https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...de-217626.html

It's been a long time since I posted about my rough riding camper. I gave up on my camper and just accepted the rough ride. Now I'm dealing with all the issue from 8k miles of rough rides. Yes I keep track of all our trips and mileage.

There is a crack in the fiberglass where the camper goes over the bed of the truck.
Replaced a bent axle
The wallpaper has ripped by the counter top because it's pulling away from the wall.
The stain on the cabinetry by the stove has been sanded away.
Wallpaper is wrinkled around every window, door, and corner of the camper.
Ladder in the bunkhouse came loose and scratched the cabinet.
I've added extra latches to drawers and still can't keep them closed and the list goes on.
The welds to the axle mount are horrible and Forest river should be embarrassed

I've showed these issues to RV repair places and they informed I should contact forest river. Forest river asked for pictures and said well first of all your 1 year warranty is over, and you used the andersen ultimate and we consider that an attachment so even if you had a warranty it is voided. They also said I overloaded my camper. I stopped by the scales and found I was using 60% of my cargo weight. I swapped my andersen out for a B&W companion but it didn't help.

I reached back out to my dealer for advice and he did mention that Forest river is moving away from torsion and to slippers springs. Lets face it, they are doing that to save money or because they know the torsion axles are a problem. I'm stuck with this self destructing product and my conscience won't let me sell it to someone without disclosing all of this information, so I'm looking into moving off torsion axles.

I feel my options are to go down the route of swapping axles, or basically trade to a dealer on a new camper and lose a bunch of money just to get out from it. Only the dealer that I purchased from said he would take it on trade but I'll never own another Forest River. If anybody has advice before a drop a bunch of cash and cross my fingers if fixes the issue please let me know. My previous post proves I've been complaining about these issues since the day we bought the camper brand new and I wasn't crazy about the rough ride because it's self destructing after 8k miles.

One other thing to mention. When I went to the scales I split my camper axles on the scale. The axles are 5,000 lb. Torsion axles do not share the weight and the back axle is taking most of the weight. Back of the camper is weighted with bunkhouse bedding and dishes. All the heavier items are in the front of the camper. I've heard if torsion axles are maxed out then they lose all functionality that makes the smooth.

Front Axle 3,800
Back Axle 4,960

[corn18]

Shocks made a HUGE difference on my 5er. Huge. Easy to install and not a wallet buster.

[Worthmo]

Thanks for suggestion. If I swap to spring axles I'll probably ad shocks. I'm just unsure of shocks on torsion axles.

[wlfclf2000]

Air bag suspension is an option, do an internet search, cheaper than a new trailer. If your rear axil is carrying more weight than the front, it means the front of the trailer is high. Is there any way to adjust the height of the hitch?
There are some centers that specialize in doing airbag suspension installs (with shocks). Why the RV manufacturers have not added shocks to their products is just simply disregard for customers, imagine a car or truck without shocks. My R-pod has coil springs with shocks (called Beastmode) which is the only reason it survived San Antonio highways during my recent visit. I think finding a good airbag suspension will fix most of your issues and return your joy of rving.

[Chuck_S]

I found tire pressure to be a factor in how the trailer rides. Consult the tire pressure guide -- the one for the tires, not the max or listed on the trailer tire pressure placard -- and determine what pressure you need to support 2500 pounds per tire (5000 pounds per axle).

Example: New tires were hammering my trailer to the point cabinets were popping open! I dropped tire pressure from 60psi (max side wall pressure) to 50psi which is still more pressure than needed to support the axle weights. Early season pressure is usually a bit below 50 with no consequences.

-- Chuck

[acadianbob]

Is your trailer towing tongue up and tail down? That will add weight to the rear torsion axle.

[Worthmo]

The camper tows fairly level. It is slightly higher in the front but not by much (Picture Attached). I have about 5-6 inches of bed clearance so I can't go any lower. I like everyone's ideas of shocks, but that's not really an option on torsion axles which is why I think springs axles may be the way to go.

[D W]

Slipper springs got to be better than torsion axles. The torsion axles I've seen on RV's are Mickey Mouse.

[mmartin_tdc]

When I purchased my 2013 Crusader three years ago, there was rubbing of the tires on the under floor board surface. I knew I needed to address the clearance issue so opted for slipper springs and shocks. Did the install myself and gained about 3/4" clearance on heavier rated suspension and it all rides WAY smoother down the wonderful highways we have in the US.
I had springs on my Northwoods trailer before this one and found that they are worth the investment based on the much smoother ride for the goods in the trailer.

[wlfclf2000]

This is an interesting option, watch the video at the bottom of the page.

https://timbren.com/products/14000-l...ound-axle-seat

[Worthmo]

Originally Posted by wlfclf2000

This is an interesting option, watch the video at the bottom of the page.

https://timbren.com/products/14000-l...ound-axle-seat

Those looking interesting but are not an option for torsion axles.

[Medic455]

That’s too bad man. I have a ‘23 529bh and it rides like a dream with the torsion axles, and I’m pulling with F150 and air bags. I have no ideas where to even suggest where to look.

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by Medic455

That’s too bad man. I have a ‘23 529bh and it rides like a dream with the torsion axles, and I’m pulling with F150 and air bags. I have no ideas where to even suggest where to look.

I know the roads are rough. But considering the roads and the conditions I'd be looking at my right foot. If it is rough.....slow down! From what is described, the speed was too fast for the road conditions.

Bob

[Medic455]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

I know the roads are rough. But considering the roads and the conditions I'd be looking at my right foot. If it is rough.....slow down! From what is described, the speed was too fast for the road conditions.

Bob

Yeah roads down this way can be rough. I feel bad for the OP that doesn’t sound normal. I haven’t had any issues with mine in a year.

[wlfclf2000]

Originally Posted by Worthmo

Those looking interesting but are not an option for torsion axles.

If you convert to slipper springs you will need to purchase axles. This is just an improvement over the slipper spring design.
This company also has an axle-less design
https://timbren.com/en-ca/products/asr7ks01-axle-less

[Worthmo]

Originally Posted by Medic455

That’s too bad man. I have a ‘23 529bh and it rides like a dream with the torsion axles, and I’m pulling with F150 and air bags. I have no ideas where to even suggest where to look.

Do you know your axle weight rating and the weight of your camper?

[wlfclf2000]

Originally Posted by Worthmo

My original Post: https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...de-217626.html

One other thing to mention. When I went to the scales I split my camper axles on the scale. The axles are 5,000 lb. Torsion axles do not share the weight, and the back axle is taking most of the weight. Back of the camper is weighted with bunkhouse bedding and dishes. All the heavier items are in the front of the camper. I've heard if torsion axles are maxed out then they lose all functionality that makes the smooth.

Front Axle 3,800
Back Axle 4,960

I think this is key. Your axle is maxed out and riding like no spring at all. You have an option to upgrade to 7000 lb axles. From everything I read the torsion axles should ride better than spring axles. In the past I had a 5th wheel with spring axles and I use to joke about how my eggs were already scrambled when I cracked them open.
I hope you get this worked out. Here is a link that may help:
https://thetrailerpartsoutlet.com/pr...All%20Products
Good luck.

[Medic455]

I do. I have a little over 2000 payload and 1500 pin weight. Camper is around 11k max weight which I am way under. I have the max tow pkg

[Aussieguy]

damage in photos may NOT be due to suspension

top photo crack in corner BUT shows some scrape marks on hatch/door?

bottom one shows a non structural weld to blank off the hollow tube
poor welding but adequate to do it's job

other pics more than likely bad install/design for that item

never seen wrinkles like that cause by shaking... expansion/contraction more likely the cause

[Chuck_S]

This has been going on for four (4) years so I expect most solutions have been explored. Seems to me after at least skimming this and the original thread that the axles should be replaced and aligned by a trailer shop, not an RV store. Some hot shot truck trailers use this type axles so a better combination should be available.

Tire over-pressure is still nagging me. I noted (this morning) that was the first concern in the earlier thread but didn't notice the tire size and pressure here. "Next size up" tires run at a lower pressure will still handle the loads and modern radial ply ST tires don't get the heat build up of the earlier bias ply tires.

Best of luck.