How To Reduce Bounce and Jarring When Towing with a Curt 20k Slider

Question:

My truck is a ford f250 crew cab with a curt 20k slider mounted in it I have my trailer set up with 9 inches between the bed rail and the nose of camper pulls great but road shock and bridges are tearing up the rear of my new cedar creek which one would best for my 6 1/2 foot bed . I cant lower my hitch in my truck anymore either so I need which ever one I buy to be same height. should it be the 158778 trail air or the one from reese Thanks

asked by: Greg B

Expert Reply:

If your fifth wheel is not being pulled as level as you can get it a lot of bouncing can ensue; it may also be a problem with the trailer's suspension. On a trailer, there may be a lot of suspension components that can cause problems so you will need to thoroughly check to see if any part of your suspension is worn or otherwise needs replacing.

Finally, upgrading your pin box is likely to make a big difference in your ride. There are pin boxes made to specifically absorb shock and reduce the amount of bouncing you are experiencing. They are direct replacements so you would need to know the manufacturer and model number of your current king pin. For example, the Trailair # LC158778 was designed to replace Lippert 1621 long-jaw 5th-wheel pin box.

Standard pin boxes without any type of shock absorption transfer road shock to your trailer, resulting in potential damage to the trailer and an overall bumpy ride. But the Trailair air ride pin box absorbs shock and cushions your ride as you pull your fifth-wheel trailer. When you encounter uneven terrain on your trip or hit a pothole on the highway, the Trailair pin box compresses vertically, similar to how a pair of scissor blades closes in on each other. This compression transfers the road shock and vibrations to the internal air bag, saving your fifth-wheel hitch, trailer, or tow vehicle frame from enduring a rocky ride.

expert reply by: Timothy G