How to Reduce Eliminate Fifth Wheel Trailer Chucking

Updated 06/23/2020 | Published 09/28/2015

Question:

We have a 1999 F250 super V 10 with king pin pulling an 2005 Chapperal 28, 33. I added a air bag system previously when we had a cab over. Now that we have the fifth we are having terrible bucking I need a kindly belt. even though Ive taken all the air out of the airlift system. Am I too heavy in front/back. .? What do you sell to fix it?

asked by: Steve

Expert Reply:

What you're referring to is called chucking, the unwanted fore and aft movement of the trailer. If the fifth wheel hitch you're using has a slide bar jaw or a two piece jaw that's worn and has lots of play in it, it would cause the chucking you're experiencing. Even though the king pin might be held by the hitch jaws so it's in no danger of popping out. If the jaws allow any play at all the king pin's rattling around in the hitch jaws will be transferred to the vehicle, which isn't very pleasant.

An air ride pin box can help diminish the chucking, but making sure you're using a quality hitch with a good jaw to king pin fit is the place to start. The Pro Series fifth wheel hitch uses a dual jaw that ensures a good king pin fit. It's available as a stationary hitch with a 20K capacity as part # RP30928. For a short bed truck, you'll need a sliding hitch, which is also available in a 20K model as part # C16536.

Air ride pin boxes like the # 5AB-E510-710 are pin box specific. To choose the correct model, you'll need to know the manufacturer and model number of your pin box. This information should be printed on a sticker located on the pin box. This pin box would fit a Fabex 500, 503, 765 and 770, a Lippert 1716 or an RBW 7028.

expert reply by: Mike L

John D.

6/20/2020

I have a 2000 F250 crew cab short bed 7.3 diesel with B&W gooseneck hitch I use to tow my horse trailer. Just bought 29 ft Coachman 5th wheel. So I put on a Convert-a-Ball C5GX adapter. Experiencing serious chucking. Why and what can I do about it? Would shocks on the trailer help as there are none?

Chris R.

6/23/2020

Some chucking honestly isn't too abnormal with a 5th wheel hitch adapter, even one like the Convert-A-Ball # CAB-C5GX1216 that features an internal cushion to reduce this as much as possible. It's just not as stable a connection as a standard 5th wheel that's mounted in the bed. You could potentially add a shock setup like the Lippert # LC281255 to smooth out the ride but it likely won't eliminate the issue. Another option would be to actually remove the pin box adapter and use the B&W Companion Sliding Hitch # BWRVK3400, which will attach to your existing B&W gooseneck ball hole.