Recommended Solution to Help With Chucking While Towing 5th Wheel That Already Has FlexAir Pin Box

Published 11/18/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(465)

$1033.24

Firestone Air Command Heavy Duty Air Compressor - Analog - Dual Path

(359)

$784.38

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle

(3012)

$494.74

Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(465)

$965.97

Question:

I have a B&W 2500 companion Hitch. The flex air made a big difference starting and stopping. My issue is when the road is rough. With the reg lippert pinbox it was like the seat was ripped out from under you but was over quick. Now when you hit a similar bump it more like a water bed feeling but takes a little longer to settle out. I am trying to Smith the ride as much as possible. Please let me know your thoughts

asked by: Derrick C

Expert Reply:

First off, thank you for being a repeat etrailer.com customer! We definitely appreciate you coming back to us. With that said, I may have a solution for you, but air bags are not the answer for this since it's not your vehicle's suspension system that is causing this. Chucking and jarring while towing a 5th wheel trailer (or any trailer for that matter) is unavoidable because the trailer itself is not one piece with your vehicle. When your truck starts to move forward from a stop your trailer is still sitting static and so there will be a slight jolt; the same thing happens when you slow down. Since the front end of your trailer is connected to your truck, when your truck starts to slow down your trailer is still moving forward so it will give you a slight push at first.

Going with the Lippert Flex Air pin box is a great upgrade, but if you're still using a 5th wheel hitch that has a dual jaw as opposed to a single jaw that provides 360 degrees of kingpin contact, that's likely the biggest cause of what you're dealing with. For this reason, I recommend upgrading your hitch to something with a single piece jaw that will completely envelop the kingpin and provide greater security, while cutting down on the chucking you're experiencing.

If you've got a 2018 Sierra 3500 with an 8 foot bed and the OEM prep package, the Reese # RP30890 would be a great choice that comes with the single piece jaw that will help fight some of the chucking with it's 360 degree jaw to kingpin contact. If you've got above bed rails and an 8ft bed, the Reese # RP30928 would be the correct part number.

You've taken a great step in curbing some of the chucking by adding a premium pin box upgrade, so upgrading the hitch would be the next logical step to cut down even more.

expert reply by: Erik B

Derrick

11/18/2020

Erik B.

11/18/2020

Thank you for the additional information. From what you're telling me here, it does sound like there is something going on that a suspension enhancement would likely help with. I recommend using the Firestone Ride Rite # F2613 airbags, which are a double convoluted air bag system that will provided added support that will help limit some of the effects that you're experiencing. The only downside would be that it's unlikely that your current compressor system is compatible with a wireless remote, but if you can let me know what brand and model it is I'm happy to see if there is something that would work. If there isn't a remote that would work, you can add a secondary small compressor that would mount on the frame of the truck like the Firestone Air Command II - Analog Gauge w/ Heavy Duty Compressor - Dual Function - 150 psi # F2219. This compressor has a remote control that will allow you to adjust the air pressure from the cab of your truck and provide you with the convenience that you're looking for. I've linked a short video on these that I recommend having a look at.