How to Reduce Chucking and Jarring When Stopping with a 5th Wheel Trailer

Updated 04/30/2018 | Published 04/27/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6643)

$155.79

Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes

(218)

$8.08

Question:

We purchased the C16541 Curt A20 5th Wheel Hitch on 5/22/17. We recently purchased a new Jayco 375bh North Point with a Morryde King Pin. When we stop and accelerate, there is a lot of clunking noise. Can you explain why this is happening?

asked by: Lisa

Expert Reply:

I spoke to my contact at Curt about the problem you are having with your Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # C16541. They informed that in most cases when you are feeling the trailer jerking back and forth when you make a stop, it has to do with a disconnect between the brakes on the trailer and brakes on the tow vehicle.

The best way to combat this issue would be to use a proportional brake controller like the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller part # 90195 if you are using a timed delay brake controller. On the proportional brake controller you will then want to adjust the boost setting to a 2 or 3 level. The boost setting will allow for more aggressive braking on the trailer which will in turn lead the tow vehicles braking.

Please keep in mind that if you have manual adjust brakes you will need to make sure they are properly adjusted using a brake spoon like part # W80630 prior to increasing the boost settings on the brake controller.

expert reply by: Conner L