Smoothing fifth wheel towing

[RickandBecky]

Originally Posted by Shokyle1

I would recommend sumo springs. Installed them on the rear of my f250. Noticeable reduction in chucking over bumps and bridges. Low cost and quick install.

I put SumoSprings on my F250 also, pulling an Eagle HT 30.5. They reduced the squat on my truck to about 1.5”. I’m considering putting these on our fifth wheel also. My understanding (from a camping forum I’m on) is that SumoSprings on a mid to heavy fifth wheel work wonders for that suspension. Still doing some research, but leaning that way right now

[Jeffur]

Get a Hensley Hitch, problem solved.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by bstannard

I agree that the Trailer Saver/Morryde combo looks ideal but I only have a goose ball and the TS requires either rails or the puck system. What experience has anyone had with the Lippert Flex Air pin box.
Thanks
Bill

What do you not have your 321rsts still, so are you going to trade up? Let me know if I'm being noisy, lol.

[RickandBecky]

Originally Posted by Jeffur

Get a Hensley Hitch, problem solved.

For a fifth wheel? Didn’t know there was a Hensley Hitch for a fifth wheel.

[eharris205]

In addition to the Hensley Trailer Saver hitch I would suggest looking into the MorRyde Independent Suspension. Makes a world of difference in overall ride quality.

[bstannard]

Originally Posted by Big1

What do you not have your 321rsts still, so are you going to trade up? Let me know if I'm being noisy, lol.

Big 1,
321 has LCI shock kit, CRE3000 suspension linkage, wet pins. All I know to do to trailer other than independent suspension. We do have a 36SSWS on order that we won’t see until spring. Planning on selling the Eagle on our own as it’s perfect (I’m retired, anal, and always wanting to stay busy), and worth more than dealer is offering. Hope that answers your question (no, you’re not being too nosey).
Bill

[Dave A]

I added air bags to the truck and really like them. However, some of those bridge transitions are horrible! Sometimes I will look in the mirrors to make sure there are still axels under the trailer. The abuse our equipment takes is amazing.

[mikensue]

We have the 321 , pulling with a 350 SRW 8 ft box crew cab. I use the Andersen Ultimate and installed an air Lift 5000 kit. No more heavy bouncing coming off a bad bridge deck.

[eharris205]

That is why I have always upgraded the suspension on my current and previous 5th wheels. Prior to having the MorRyde IS installed I could see the trailer bounce hard 5,6,sometimes 7 times going onto and coming off those bridge decks. Now my trailer bounces only a couples times and the bounce is far less pronounced.

[Bookemdanno]

I added the Sumosprings to my 5th wheels leaf suspension. It made the biggest difference in ride from anything that I've ever done...just my experience, yours may differ.
https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=...ing_Suspension

[Nature Ist]

Originally Posted by RickandBecky

I put SumoSprings on my F250 also, pulling an Eagle HT 30.5. They reduced the squat on my truck to about 1.5”. I’m considering putting these on our fifth wheel also. My understanding (from a camping forum I’m on) is that SumoSprings on a mid to heavy fifth wheel work wonders for that suspension. Still doing some research, but leaning that way right now

I just saw your post about the SumoSprings on your HT I also have a 2020 HT 30.5 CKTS. (with the 16" wheel upgrade) I installed the Sumos mostly to deal with the load imbalance on the kitchen slide side and the resulting compression of the springs on that side. I can say the Sumos made a huge improvement!
I'm not sure if you ever saw or were part of the discussions on this particular model and the issues with so much more weight on one side. I was able to put an additional spring plate on mine to get the Sumos to do the job and get it balanced.

[RickandBecky]

Great to know. I knew the kitchen slide (with a double fridge, oven, stovetop, pantry) had to be the heaviest on the rig. One question I’ve had is why did they use the Schwentec (sp) slide system on this heavy slide? That doesn’t make sense to me. We’ve already had a minor slide issue (motors out of sync) which caused the slide to hang up when it’s brought in. Got that ironed out. We have the 16” upgraded wheels/tires too, as you do. So, did you put the SumoSprings on all four wheels, I’m assuming? Thanks for the info!

[RickandBecky]

I’ve actually never noticed our fifth wheel leaning one way or the other. I have done CAT scales several times, but only to get pin weights and overall truck and trailer weights. I’ve not done driver’s side vs. passenger side yet, but probably should next time we’re out. Thanks again—Rick

[Nature Ist]

Originally Posted by RickandBecky

I’ve actually never noticed our fifth wheel leaning one way or the other. I have done CAT scales several times, but only to get pin weights and overall truck and trailer weights. I’ve not done driver’s side vs. passenger side yet, but probably should next time we’re out. Thanks again—Rick

You might not want to know, LOL! The good news is that those axles are rated far enough over the GVW that you are not overloading that side unless you really pack it full. My concern was more about preventing tire rub and broken springs later on. I sent you a PM with some more details and links to a few threads that cover much of this issue.

[Nature Ist]

Originally Posted by RickandBecky

Great to know. I knew the kitchen slide (with a double fridge, oven, stovetop, pantry) had to be the heaviest on the rig. One question I’ve had is why did they use the Schwentec (sp) slide system on this heavy slide? That doesn’t make sense to me. We’ve already had a minor slide issue (motors out of sync) which caused the slide to hang up when it’s brought in. Got that ironed out. We have the 16” upgraded wheels/tires too, as you do. So, did you put the SumoSprings on all four wheels, I’m assuming? Thanks for the info!

Not to mention the water heater, batteries and propane are also on that same side, and there's also the BR slide to add into the mix!
I understand the use of the Schwintek, though I would prefer the old through frame myself if it were feasible. The kitchen slide has several rollers under the floor that support most of the weight. In theory, the Schwintek shouldn't be carrying much weight, it's just a mover, not a lifter. My only concern is with the bedroom slide, which is much shorter and lighter, but has no rollers under the floor of the slide - so the Schwintek is carrying that weight.
You mentioned your slide getting out of Synch...I assume you know the rule of holding the switch for at least a few seconds after the slide has fully extended or retracted so the controller keeps the motors in synch. That is one of the primary reasons they get out of synch. Yes, I did put 4 of the Sumos (one over each axle, both sides) I went into detail on that in a PM I sent you.

[RickandBecky]

Originally Posted by Nature Ist

You might not want to know, LOL! The good news is that those axles are rated far enough over the GVW that you are not overloading that side unless you really pack it full. My concern was more about preventing tire rub and broken springs later on. I sent you a PM with some more details and links to a few threads that cover much of this issue.

Got all the info that you sent, and have read through it. I haven’t checked to see which holes the springs on our fifth wheel are in, but I’ll know for sure in the morning! Thanks for all the great info—appreciate it!

[Joan617]

When we were in Bushnell, FL at the Escapees' Park, we did the "SmartWeigh", where they weigh each axle, left and right. Our driver's side (kitchen) was 1100 lbs heavier.
Angus

[RickandBecky]

Originally Posted by Joan617

When we were in Bushnell, FL at the Escapees' Park, we did the "SmartWeigh", where they weigh each axle, left and right. Our driver's side (kitchen) was 1100 lbs heavier.
Angus

Wow, that’s a lot of difference! I’m going to see if our local CAT scale can weigh each side separately. Just never thought to check, but will. Thanks!

[Joan617]

Originally Posted by RickandBecky

Wow, that’s a lot of difference! I’m going to see if our local CAT scale can weigh each side separately. Just never thought to check, but will. Thanks!

There are also SmartWeigh locations at Livingston, TX and Congress, AZ, if that fits with your travel plans. It is $55 and requires an appointment, but you get a detailed analysis and a lot of one-on-one time with the "WeighMaster".

Angus

[RickandBecky]

Thanks! We’re not too far from Livingston, and in fact, planning a camping trip there in the near future. Will check it out then.