What Shock Kit do I Need for My 2025 Heartland Eddy Bauer 3101RL to Help with the Chucking?

Question

Question:

I’m having a chucking issue with my 2025 Heartland Eddy Bauer 3101RL. I’ve been reading that adding a shock system to the rv will help with it. What do you recommend for shocks?

asked by: Thomas B

0

Expert Reply:

Hello Thomas,

Sorry to hear you are experiencing the chucking, never a good feeling while towing.

Adding shocks to your 2025 Heartland Eddy Bauer 3101RL is definitely a great suspension upgrade and can absolutely help with some of the chucking you’re experiencing. Shocks help control the up and down movement of the axles, which keeps that motion from transferring up through the frame and into the truck as that push and pull feeling.

I do not have a database that shows exactly what components were installed on each trailer, but from what I’m seeing most of the 3101RL models are running tandem 7K axles. You will want to confirm that by checking the axle tag directly so we know for sure what you have.

If you do have 5,200 lb to 7,000 lb tandem axles, the Roadmaster Comfort Ride Shock Absorbers for Tandem Axle Trailers - 5,200-lb to 7,000-lb Axle # RM-2460 would be the kit you need. This kit includes the mounting brackets and shocks and is a really solid option for improving ride quality.

Another thing to check is your loaded pin weight. On a 5th wheel you want to be in that 20 to 25 percent range of your total trailer weight. If the weight is too light on the pin or you have too much weight sitting behind the axles, it can definitely increase chucking.

What kind of equalizers do you currently have on there? I feel congrats is still in order on the 2025 Heartland!! What was your adventure in it is so far? Where did you go, what did you see?

expert reply by: Kate F

0

Roadmaster Shock Kit Installed
(click to enlarge)

Thomas B.

3/2/2026

Looks like I’ll need a mathematician to figure out the load pin weight. Last years camping season we travels upstate NY a lot to state parks. The furthest being Wellesley Island. Once our youngest graduates from Penn State we are taking a road trip from Pennsylvania to Montana. With a ton of stops to check out this great country of ours.

Kate F.

3/2/2026

@ThomasB Thomas, no mathematician required, I promise. It’s actually a lot simpler than it sounds once you see it on paper, and can be done at a CAT Scale. All you’re doing is weighing the truck with the trailer hooked up, then weighing the truck by itself. Subtract the truck-only weight from the truck-with-trailer weight and that gives you your pin weight. From there, take that pin weight and divide it by your total loaded trailer weight, then move the decimal two spots to the right. That’s your percentage. On a 5th wheel you’re aiming for that 20 to 25 percent range. And Wellesley Island, that’s not the first time I’ve heard that one mentioned. It looks like an absolutely fantastic place. Definitely one I need to add to my own list to check out someday. That Montana trip sounds like it’s going to be an incredible adventure too, and after youngest graduates from Penn State, definitely a reason to celebrate as well =) If you ever run into any issues while you are on your road to adventure, please know we have real people ready to take your call, and we have overnight shipping available on most item. - Safe Travels

Ed.d

3/4/2026

@ThomasB Have Grand design 270BN 2024 that had a lot of chucking also, added the shock kit last year great improvement. The chucking is still there but far less noticeable, ride in truck is so much better. Wanted to change out pin box but not available for this model.

Kate F.

3/4/2026

@Edd Thanks for the response Ed, glad to hear it helped a little =)

Scott

3/3/2026

I think shocks may help but would not be the solution. I would look first at pin weight hitch type and if trailer is level. So more pin weight and I think gooseneck or Anderson are less prone to chucking

Kate F.

3/3/2026

@Scott Great point Scott. Yes, your pin weight should be 20-25% of your overall weight, that means the weight is distributed properly throughout your 5th wheel. You can figure this out at your local CAT scale: 1. Weigh truck + 5th wheel together at the CAT scale: steer axle on pad 1, drive axle on pad 2, trailer axles on pad 3. Save the ticket. 2. Drop the trailer in the lot (leave it loaded the same). 3. Weigh the truck only on the CAT scale: steer axle on pad 1, drive axle on pad 2. Save the ticket. 4. Calculate pin weight: (steer + drive with trailer) minus (steer + drive truck only) = pin weight. If it is not, you might need to shift some things around. The shocks are still a great upgrade to any 5th wheel, the more suspension help the better =)

Jeff B.

3/3/2026

I had chucking with my old hitch. Finally changed it out with a B & W Companion slider. It stopped the chucking. Now about the shocks. I pull my 30’ 5th wheel with a 2022 Ram 2500 diesel. When I pulled it with my older hitch I experienced my truck go into limp mode especially when going across bridges on the interstate highways. It only happened if the was a larger dip at the beginning or the end of the bridge. It was very annoying. I decided to change hitches. This helped me a lot. Even after changing hitches I still noticed the RV bucking causing me to go into limp mode. I researched shocks on the internet and saw etrailer videos about hothe shocks help with the bouncing. I bought a set for my tandems and installed them. Took a little time but well worth it. The 5th wheels bucking is much calmer and the bouncing is to a minimum. I would recommend these for a smoother ride.

Kate F.

3/3/2026

@JeffB Glad you made the switch to B&W, Jeff. They’re definitely one of my favorite manufacturers! Their products are top-notch and proudly made right here in the USA. You’d think it couldn’t get any better than that, but it does. Their customer service is outstanding. In fact, we don’t even sell replacement parts for their hitches because B&W prefers to take care of their customers directly. And not to mention they do a lot for their community as well. Thanks for the response =)

Jon H.

3/3/2026

I was having a hucking issue with GD Reflection 159 170BN. I have a Ram 2500 Hemi and use an Anderson hitch. The 170BN has a very low pin weight. I added the shock system and it has helped tremendously. I had to put about 1500 miles on the new system to maximize the benefit. Did this last summer and headed out west. Noticed big difference on way back from trip and really see the difference during our first trip this spring.

Kate F.

3/3/2026

@JonH Thanks for the response Jon, sounds like the shocks may have put some color back into those knuckles =)

Larry

3/3/2026

Put shock kit on 2022 Reflection 337RLS and it took the rebound out of suspension. Installed kit myself was not a bad install if you have drill and tools

Kate F.

3/4/2026

@Larry Thanks for the response Larry!

Tim S.

3/3/2026

I did three things to help with the ride and reduce chucking on my Montana High Country 5th wheel. Make sure you are properly loaded with balanced weight distribution. I then spent a couple of afternoons installing a Roadmaster comfort ride shock system (made a big difference in chucking and jostling items inside during travel), then I installed a Goosebox hitch. The airbag sister on the Goosebox also made a big difference. I don’t really have much chucking trouble now.

Kate F.

3/4/2026

@TimS Glad to hear you got things dialed in just right Tim! Thanks for pointing out the weight distribution, people do not realize how important this is.

Charles G.

3/6/2026

Hi Thomas, I put one of these tandem axle shock systems on my KZ321RKT. I was having a lot of issues with broken dishes and even broken shelve mounts in the refrigerator with the rear kitchen. I figured the lack of shocks and anything to control the suspension rebound was part of the problem. After the install and my first trip I found no such issues. I will note that I first installed rear airbags on the truck to keep the nose of the trailer from dipping as much over rough roads and potholes (also causing a pitch-up moment in the rear of the trailer). This helped but it wasn’t until I put the shocks on that my issues were solved. Good luck with your search for a smooth ride. V/r, Charles

Kate F.

3/6/2026

@CharlesG Thanks for the response Charles, I am happy to hear that the shocks resulting in you not having to buy new dishes all the time =)

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What Shock Kit do I Need for My 2025 Heartland Eddy Bauer 3101RL to Help with the Chucking?

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