New to 5th wheels

kestertr · 02-11-2023, 11:19 AM

I got myself a used 2012 Jayco Eagle Super lite 30.5 and I'm towing it with my 2001 GMC 2500HD SLE, with a andersen hitch and I have just under a 11K tow capacity on my truck. I know the 5th wheel is a few thousand under my weight limit dry, but I am still having a little sway while I am towing it on the highway.

Do any of you have any suggestion for me?

**norty1** · 02-11-2023, 12:03 PM

First thing I would do is verify all tire pressures are set correctly on the truck and 5'er. I use the recommended pressure on the truck door sticker and on the rv. Checked when tires are cold at ambient temp.

Jagiven · 02-11-2023, 01:06 PM

Tire pressure is critical. Run the trailer at max pressure listed on the tires. How old are the trailer tires? Recommend running over a CAT scale, with and without the 5ver, to determine your pin weight. It should be 20-25% of the 5vers weight.

At dorm TV tire pressure, look up the recommended pressures based on your actual scaled weight

kestertr · 02-11-2023, 02:10 PM

The tire on the trailer are new

**norty1** · 02-11-2023, 04:12 PM

Still the first thing to check. Depending on who installed the tires and if they knew what pressure to put in them.

Checking tire pressures will be a regular chore when camping and traveling on the road.

Jerry713 · 02-11-2023, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestertr

The tire on the trailer are new

Welcome!

Tires can lose 8 lbs of air pressure in colder weather pretty easily. If they were only aired up even just a few lbs shy of max when they were new and it was warmer when they were installed you could be looking at being at least 10 lbs low maybe more.

**JFlightRisk** · 02-11-2023, 05:32 PM

Welcome to the Forum from Western New York State!

Perhaps it might me loaded a little heavier in the rear, and needs some weight shifted to in front of the axles.

Big1 · 02-11-2023, 05:35 PM

Welcome to the forum.

ARoamer · 02-11-2023, 05:37 PM

Be sure your truck has the properly rated and properly inflated tires installed.

kestertr · 02-11-2023, 05:39 PM

Do air bags help at all?

Tusche · 02-11-2023, 10:35 PM

Yes air bags help. Im towing 2021 Eagle 321with 2021 GMC 2500HD. Close to my max hitch wt sags trk about 1.5 in. Air bags at low pressure levels trk, 10-15 psi improves ride and handling. When roads got real rough on trip to AK I increased to 30 psi to keep bottoming out on frost heaves and deep pot holes.

Go-red-car · 02-13-2023, 04:04 PM

I have a very similar trailer (30.5 RLS) and I towed last year with a 2007 Chev 2500 Duramax. I would echo what others have said regarding tires. I have 10-ply tires on the trailer and have them at 70PSI (not quite the max of 80). I have had no issues with sway, and even in high winds it has been rock solid.

How level is the truck and trailer? I have a 3" leveling lift and it is almost perfect.

TWP723 · 02-13-2023, 04:15 PM

Yes, airbags help a lot. Although airbags don't increase towing capacities, they do wonders keeping the rig under control and towing evenly. I run about 20-25lbs. in the rear bags and about 15-20lbs. in the front bags. No onboard compressor. I fill them before I roll out with my ViAir compressor. They keep your headlamps aimed as well.

kestertr · 02-13-2023, 06:08 PM

I just ordered a set of air lift 5000 for my truck and I will keep and small portable compressor with me in my truck for them to air them up. My back of the truck drops about a inch or two with the trailer on and it is the 30.5 RLS trailer I'm towing.

RedHorse1 · 02-15-2023, 09:28 PM

I’d suggest a visit to the CAT Scale to get your actual weights. There’s a sticky explaining how to interpret the results. The CAT Scale is your friend.

paulrlf · 02-18-2023, 12:59 PM

You also might want to install an onboard compressor, so you can adjust for different conditions. See my post on how I installed mine.

lsugarbaker · 02-18-2023, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestertr

I got myself a used 2012 Jayco Eagle Super lite 30.5 and I'm towing it with my 2001 GMC 2500HD SLE, with a andersen hitch and I have just under a 11K tow capacity on my truck. I know the 5th wheel is a few thousand under my weight limit dry, but I am still having a little sway while I am towing it on the highway.

Do any of you have any suggestion for me?

Generally, sway is not a problem with fifth wheels. I would check the hitch weight. If it is too light (weight is shifted to the back) that could be a problem. The other thing is the pivot point. The hitch pin should be directly over the rear axle of the tow vehicle. If it is a couple of inches back, that should not be a problem but if it is several inches back, that could be the cause of your sway.

Skyline · 02-18-2023, 02:28 PM

My 2019 F350 and 2018 Eagle HT (9000#) ride very solid, no sway at all. Air bags are great and will definitely be an upgrade. I’ve always found that more weight over traction wheels helps. An alignment and thorough inspection of both vehicles suspension components might find something that needs attention.

kestertr · 02-18-2023, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulrlf

You also might want to install an onboard compressor, so you can adjust for different conditions. See my post on how I installed mine.

That will be down the road, I have a Ryobi 150psi battery powered one I keep with my 5th wheel for now.

skypilot7103 · 02-19-2023, 03:27 PM

You’ll really like the airlift 5000 have them on a 2021 2500hd with a 31.5 Superlite fifth wheel really notice the difference levels truck out great.

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