How to Correct Surging or Bucking When Towing 5th Wheel Trailer Using Gooseneck Adapter

Question:

Im new to the Camper towing community but have pulled other trailers all my life. Ive recently purchased a 2002 Keystone Montana which came with a Gooseneck adapter already installed. Im towing with a 2006 F350 dually. The problem Im having is surging or bucking when crossing bridges or uneven pavement on the highway. What are some of the causes of this and how can I correct them. Im not sure of the age or quality of the tires on the fw so Im thinking about starting with a new set. Besides this improving the safety factor, would this be a logical place to start to eliminate the problem Im experiencing? Thanks for any assistance you can give.

asked by: Marty H

Helpful Expert Reply:

Any type of adapter will introduce some degree of additional motion, noise and/or vibration in a towing system. The Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter # CAB-C5G that you referenced and the offset version # CAB-C5GX1216 are no exceptions, and although these do include polyurethane cushions that act as shock absorbers, they will not deliver the same performance as a system without adapters. There is no quick-fix to the ride quality issues you're experiencing, but we can offer you a long-term solution.

Unless there is clear deterioration/damage to your tires they would not be the first place to look.

The linked article covers the various types of adapters and solutions for towing one type of trailer with another type of hitch. This will be a good starting point for you to consider your options.

The best option for both ride quality and safety considerations is to replace the 5th wheel's pin box with a Goose Box Air-Ride Coupler - IF one of the available units will fit in place of your existing pin box. The link provided will show you both units we offer; each is a direct bolt-on replacement for several OEM pin boxes from Lippert and Fabex.

You can find your pin box number on its safety/warning sticker and compare that to the compatible pin boxes for each of the two Reese Goose Box units to see if either will work for you.

expert reply by: Adam R