How to Correct Fifth Wheel Fishtailing on Lifted Trailer
Question:
My name is Jim, i have a 2004 39-foot Sandpiper fifth wheel, i have had the trailer since it was new and never had a issue towing, its been through two tow vehicles a ford f250 and a Chevy Duramax. i just purchased a 2015 dodge Mega Cab and am having fits with the trailer its fishtailing anything over 50 mph. the new truck sits quite a bit higher stock than the other trucks so the first time i towed it it was all over the road. the trailer was nose up so i flipped the axles and adjusted the pin, the trailer sits dead level now and it still is doing the same thing , Im at a loss for the next step. Also when i bought the truck it has the four point bed mount for a trailer hitch i purchased adaptor for my hitch it is a manual slider the same one i have always used, i thought i may have had a blown rear shock so i bought new bilsteins on the rear. Thanks
asked by: Jim K
Helpful Expert Reply:
Tall/lifted trucks are not ideal for towing since they can lead to an out-of-level (nose high) condition on the trailer, which in turn can lead to issues with sway. Even though you have taken steps to get the trailer level again (the axle over-under kit, which gets you a few inches of additional height, and the pin box adjustment) you then still have a related problem: a higher center of gravity for the entire towing system, truck and trailer.
The higher the trailer's center of gravity the more side to side sway you will have, since the top of the trailer is now further from the road surface. There is no bolt-on item you can add to fix this issue but you can address it to some degree by careful trailer loading. Rear-end trailer sway often indicates too little tongue weight (TW) at the nose of the trailer.
I suggest loading the trailer with more weight up front. You can do this in increments until you find the point where your trailer sway is minimized.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch for Ram Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 25,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- OEM - Ram
- 6500 lbs Vertical Load
- 25000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 17 - 19 Inch Tall
- B and W
more information >
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on Fifth Wheel Hitch
Jim T.
5/11/2020
I have a Jayco eagle Premier 375BHFS, pulling it with 2017 Dodge ram 2500 4x4 diesel, with companion B&W hitch, the rv has a morryde pin box, the back end is all over the place, ANY IDEAS? new tires on both, im about 2 inches from the bump stops on the truck.