Troubleshooting Chucking with Rota Flex Pin Box and Fifth Wheel Gooseneck Adapter

Updated 07/10/2018 | Published 07/09/2018

Question:

I just purchased a 2019 Solitude 310GK fifth wheel trailer and a 2018 Ford F350 Diesel SRW. The Solitude has a Rota-Flex kingpin box? The RV dealer installed a PullRite Super Lite Hitch with a king pin to hitch ball adapter. This is my first 5th wheel as I have been towing 35 ft travel trailers for several years. In a nutshell, the towing experience with the 5th wheel is not what I expected. I have bucking/chucking even on relatively smooth roads. Do you have any recommendations that would smooth out this ride? Thank you for your assistance!

asked by: Michael J

Expert Reply:

Chucking and bucking is not typically the fault of the pin box and is more commonly associated with the fifth wheel hitch or adapter used. We have spoken with Lippert before about the Rota Flex pin box and hitch adapters and they do not recommend the use of these two together. This is due to the forward and rearward movement in this pin box.

You should go to a standard fifth wheel hitch and you'll have a much safer and smoother ride quality. What length of bed and gooseneck hitch do you have installed in your 2018 Ford F-350 currently? With that info I can see what would be best all-around solution.

expert reply by: Jameson C