Why Is 5th Wheel Trailer Clunking When Starting/Stopping with B&W Companion and MORryde Pin Box

Updated 10/01/2024 | Published 11/02/2019

Question:

Hitch Compatability I have a BW 3700 installed on a Chev 2019 3500, dually. My 5th wheel has a Morryde PN RP072-1621HD. First used yesterday. I get a clunk on pull-away from stops and on braking. No other issues. I use a lube plate. Is this clunk action acceptable? r/

asked by: Steve W

Expert Reply:

The B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # BWRVK3700 is perfectly compatible with cushioned pin boxes like your MORryde RP072-1621HD, so the clunking you're experiencing isn't related to the two components being incompatible. With that being said, the Companion 5th Wheel Hitches feature one of the nicest jaw designed on the market, so this clunking during starts and stops isn't exactly normal, either.

One thing I might check first is that the brakes are engaging properly on the trailer. It's very possible that the clunking is due to the brakes being ineffective so your Silverado is having to stop both itself and the trailer, causing it to really buck forward when stopping.

Also make sure that the trailer is at a proper height for the Companion hitch so that the king pin is fully enclosed in the jaws. If it's just a bit too high the jaws might not be able to fully engage with the pin, resulting in more play/movement than normal during travel. You may want to play around with the height settings on the hitch if you think this might be the issue.

If this doesn't resolve the issue please let me know and I will be happy to look into this further.

expert reply by: Chris R

Nick N.

6/9/2024

I was just researching this because I'm having the same problem. I've used these hitches for years but I always have the older style I am on my fourth replacement head in about a year and a half because they get loose sloppy and start clunking. I think the quality of the material may have gone down I wish I still had my older one but I'm going to contact e trailer Monday morning and see what we can do about this because the one in my truck isn't even 4 months old and it is clunking and banging so bad on the start and stop and it started doing this about a week after installation

Doug L.

10/1/2024

Mine is doing the same thing. It appears the head is moving ever so slight on the long bolt long that the head pivots on. Is there a fix for this? Shims or something?