Fifth wheel sway

[Retiredtotravel]

317RLOK. Anyone have solutions to the movement of the coach after it’s set up? I installed JTStrongman stabilizers front and back. I’ve looked into the 2 inch hitch receiver mounted stabilizer for the rear or adding rear mounted scissor jacks to the receiver brace (did that on my old travel trailer).

Should I use more or less blocks when leveling? Does that make any difference? Does anything really make any difference? I know a camper is going to sway when people walk around inside….. just trying to reduce that sway.

[CAG]

I think the more blocks you add the more chance for movement you get but there is really no stopping all of it. Xchocks between the wheels if you have dual axles. Otherwise I think you have done about all that can be done.



I did find that by resetting everything after a couple of days it would help. Everything settles and takes it out of plumb.

[Topperace]

we have a 43' Fver and only way I could get rid of the "bounce" was to put more blocks under the back levelers to reduce the amount the legs have to extend or travel...put the tripod under the pin box, X-chocks for the wheels, and two
small jacks under the rear bumper/hitch block...most of the movement has been eliminated doing this...at least for ours.

[ARoamer]

With 2 previous 5th wheels, mechanical jacks and scissor jacks in rear there was always movement, just someone turning over in bed could be felt. I just lived with it.
FWIW, our new Pinnacle with 6 hydraulic levelers is extremely steady!
Hydraulic level kits are available but probably not worth the expense of $4295 and then having to install it! Same manufacturer of Jayco OEM levelers-
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/6-Poi...-p/8678ups.htm

[RedHorse1]

Our 5th is 39’, between the LG, X-chocks and rear stabs we are pretty stable. If someone goes to the head during the night and is heavy footed I’ll wake up, a minute later I’m asleep again. A little movement doesn’t bother me.

[robkelly]

We used x-chocks for the first time this year and they made a big difference

[jetlag]

Originally Posted by ARoamer

With 2 previous 5th wheels, mechanical jacks and scissor jacks in rear there was always movement, just someone turning over in bed could be felt. I just lived with it.
FWIW, our new Pinnacle with 6 hydraulic levelers is extremely steady!
Hydraulic level kits are available but probably not worth the expense of $4295 and then having to install it! Same manufacturer of Jayco OEM levelers-
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/6-Poi...-p/8678ups.htm

X2

[16WhiteColly]

Was a little alarmed when I read the title “Fifth Wheel Sway”, really caught my attention until I read some and found out it was about movement while camping and not sway. I had never heard of Sway in a fifth wheel on the highway.

[White Ox]

I'm kind of in the same boat - JT strong-arms, front landing gear, rear stabilizers, and x-chocks. I still feel it every time one of my kids rolls over in a rear bunk.

My next step is a free one - I've got some of the old school aluminum based threaded stabilizer jacks - so I'm going to take a pair of those and some blocking on our next trip to see if putting them just forward of the front axle can solidify things to my liking. If it does, then I'll put in a pair of scissor stabilizers in the same area as the long term solution. If it doesn't work, I'm out nothing but the effort.

[Cincinnati Kid]

At first glance I saw "5th Wheel Sway", and expected a post about the latest dance craze sweeping campgrounds across America.

[Scottenj]

The Rock Stabilizers eliminate side to side movement but they don’t help with front to back. Maybe combining them with x-chocks would be a complete solution.

Even by themselves they are a big improvement.

[jaydreamin]

A tripod stabilizer under the front pin is a must have for us. Has really helped and makes the camper feel rock solid.

[RipinSC]

X2 on the rock stabilizer on the back of my FW. Eliminates 90% of the movement. I also have JT strong arm on the front. Very little movement.

[RipinSC]

Originally Posted by Retiredtotravel

317RLOK. Anyone have solutions to the movement of the coach after it’s set up? I installed JTStrongman stabilizers front and back. I’ve looked into the 2 inch hitch receiver mounted stabilizer for the rear or adding rear mounted scissor jacks to the receiver brace (did that on my old travel trailer).

Should I use more or less blocks when leveling? Does that make any difference? Does anything really make any difference? I know a camper is going to sway when people walk around inside….. just trying to reduce that sway.

The key to JT strong arm stabilizers working best is after you tighten the tee handle, bump your front landing gear switch up for a second or two. This eliminates all play in the bars and locks everything in place.

[Jim Smyth]

Originally Posted by 16WhiteColly

Was a little alarmed when I read the title “Fifth Wheel Sway”, really caught my attention until I read some and found out it was about movement while camping and not sway. I had never heard of Sway in a fifth wheel on the highway.

I am here to tell you it is possible because it happened to me more than once. I bought a new 2017 F150 twin turbo because people said it could tow a 5th wheel. Once I was home in the new truck I found out how much it couldnt tow!



So we looked for the smallest lightest 5th wheel pin weight we could find. Bought a 28' Rockwood. Our first trip out was from Central FL to the panhandle. Pretty uneventful on the way up but a few times I could feel some sway which felt weird and was unexpected. On the way home in the right lane doing 65 in a 70 we were passed by a Prevost doing about 80. (Thank God the roads were dry!)



The bow wave was so violent I thought I had snapped a rear axle on the 5th wheel as it started the tailing wagging the dog scenario. Pulled over and checked it out fully expecting to see some large parts hanging from the frame but nothing.



Now mind you I have ALOT of towing experience (drove Semi's for a while) and also flew as a Commercial Pilot for a US major airline. Big heavy large vehicles dont bother me in the least.



I feel the reason for that particular setup instability was the tow vehicle was not heavy enough to be able to control the 5th wheel. I very soon afterwards traded the F150 in with 6000 miles and got a F350 Diesel. Traded the Rockwood in a for 32' Jayco. Been smooth sailing ever since.

[citgodan]

Originally Posted by 16WhiteColly

Was a little alarmed when I read the title “Fifth Wheel Sway”, really caught my attention until I read some and found out it was about movement while camping and not sway. I had never heard of Sway in a fifth wheel on the highway.

X2 that is why I looked in here as well.

[StaMic006]

From my experience the shorter the stroke on the leveling legs the more stable it is. I use pressure treated 8x8 blocks under all 6 feet of my 43' Northpoint. I just picked up a set of JT Strong Arms since I had them on my last rig and they worked so well.