Troubleshooting Noises When Stopping and Starting While Towing 5th Wheel Trailer

Published 08/26/2021

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch w/ Custom Installation Kit - 30,000 lbs

(4716)

$599.00

B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(5322)

$1599.00

Curt Flex Air 5th Wheel Pin Box - Lippert 1621 - 21,000 lbs

(197)

$1787.85

Question:

I have the bandw companion hitch adapter that s into this under bed gooseneck hitch. When towing my fifth wheel there is a popping sound that seems to be coming from under bed. Is it possible that the truck accessory place doesn’t have all the bolts torqued to specification or is it a sound common with starting and stopping with a superduty with an aluminum bed? I have tried adjusting breaks and righted every bolt including draw down bolt to specs on the companion hitch. Planning to check all the bolts under the bed soon. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced the loud popping with this equipment when weight is transferred back and forth.

asked by: Matt S

Expert Reply:

I suppose anything is possible on a new install, but it's more likely that you're just experiencing some common noises that occur when towing a 5th wheel- called "chucking".

Sometimes when towing a 5th wheel there's a little bit of play between the kingpin of the trailer and the jaws of the hitch; the B&W Companion # BWRVK3400-5W usually does a really nice job of limiting the play because of the thicker jaws fitting the kingpin better than some other hitches but it's normal and tough to completely eliminate. Since you're noticing this mostly when stopping and starting, this is the most likely cause of the noise.

It's never a bad idea to go back and check to make sure it's not the mounting brackets that are loose, but I do think this is mostly down to normal 5th wheel chucking. If you check all of the bolts and brackets and find that everything has been tightened properly, and the noise persists, the most common fix would be to switch from your standard pin box to a cushioned pin box like the Trailair Flex Air 5th Wheel Pin Box - Lippert 1621 - 21,000 lbs # LC369535. You'll need to confirm which pin box number is currently used on your trailer so you can find the appropriate replacement; typically which pin box model you have can be found on the spec sticker on the pin box.

expert reply by: Erik B