Help With Pin Weight and Sway Issue on 2020 Rockwood 2781WS

Question:

I have a 2020 Rockwood 2781WS that recently has taken to behaving rather squirrely on the highway. My concern is the pin weight. Empty the trailer is supposed to weigh 8472 lbs with 1280 lbs pin weight or 15. With the rear fresh water tank full this trailer weighs 9600 lbs with a pin weight of 1120 lbs or 11.7. Is this a concern or a possible cause for the squirrely behaviour on the highway? The rear water tank is 60 gallons so almost 500 lbs of weight. Im thinking I need to travel with the rear water tank empty, I have two 25 gallon portable tanks that I can put in the FWD passthrough. Ive already removed the rear access refrigerator dont use it and the rear bumper mounted shelf which was probably 60 pounds. Given all this it seems to me that this trailer has dangerously low pin weight as delivered from the factory. Ive also discovered that the trailer has probably the wrong wedge for the Turning Point pin box and the Reese 16K 5th wheel hitch. Jameson C. recommended I use the SW003 and I need to order one to replace the universal one I have now, item# 201100. Appreciate any thoughts or advice.

asked by: Taj B

Expert Reply:

You are adding a significant amount of weight at the rear of the trailer, so if you can fill up closer to your camp site, it might be optimal. The other thing is just reconfiguring how you load the trailer that would put more weight at the front and help give you a bit more pin weight. Repositioning the propane tanks to the front should help a bit, as well.

I did check out the Lippert Turning point manual, which outlines the correct wedges that are recommended for different hitches and if you've got a Reese 16k hitch it looks like the correct wedge for that hitch and the Turning Point is the Sidewinder Wedge Kit for Pro Series 15K, 16K & 20K (2009 and newer) # 30850 and not the # SW03; this could be contributing to the issue, but it's still more likely that the pin weight is the issue. If you've got a Reese Select series hitch, then the # SWW-03 would be the correct wedge.

The one thing you may want to look into is a suspension enhancement; if you can tell me what the capacity on your axles is and the length of the springs, I might be able to help find something that will help fight some of the sway you're experiencing.

expert reply by: Erik B