I just recently went to a RV show here and ended up buying a newer 5th wheel. (It's a 1992 Coachmen Presteige 29.6' with one living room slide.) When I started to hook up, the truck rails were too close to the 5er, sooo, the RV dealer guys raised my hitch in the truck two holes. Now when I'm pulling, I feel like the truck is top-heavy! It seems like it rocks a lot more than before. This feeling is like you don't have complete control of the truck. I'm wondering if I drop the hitch back down and do the adjustments on the 5er's pin, would that cure what I'm experiencing?<br><br>Your thoughts would be appreciated.<br>Grampaw

 

That might work, I'm not sure. The main thing is to have the trailer as level (front to back) as possible with 5 - 6 inches clearance between the bed rails of the truck and the bottom of the 5er platform. A friend of mine did not have the 4-way pivot type hitch in his truck, and he got the kind of ride you describe, so when I got my 5er I made sure the dealer put a full pivoting hitch in. What kind of hitch do you have, longitudinal pitch only, or full 4-way pitch?

 

I'd be concerned if you don't feel like you're in complete control of the truck. If you just bought the trailer, what do you mean it rocks more than it did before?

How close were the rails, before and after? Do you know the pin weight of the trailer?

You could always drop it one or two holes and take it for a spin.

 

[quote author=GrandpasRam link=board=11;threadid=14418;start=0#135421 date=1052241481]<br>That might work, I'm not sure. The main thing is to have the trailer as level (front to back) as possible with 5 - 6 inches clearance between the bed rails of the truck and the bottom of the 5er platform. A friend of mine did not have the 4-way pivot type hitch in his truck, and he got the kind of ride you describe, so when I got my 5er I made sure the dealer put a full pivoting hitch in. What kind of hitch do you have, longitudinal pitch only, or full 4-way pitch?<br>[/quote]<br>I've got the full 4-way.

 

[quote author=bulabula link=board=11;threadid=14418;start=0#135422 date=1052241512]<br>I'd be concerned if you don't feel like you're in complete control of the truck. If you just bought the trailer, what do you mean it rocks more than it did before?<br><br>How close were the rails, before and after? Do you know the pin weight of the trailer?<br><br>You could always drop it one or two holes and take it for a spin.<br>[/quote]<br><br>Bulabula,<br>Sorry I didn't make it clear. When I said it rocks more than before, I meant that it rocks more with this trailer than it did with the other 5er. No I don't know the pin weight right now cause I'm at work, I can get all that when I get home tonight. I'm probably gonna end up doing just that! Drop a notch, take a spin. Drop a notch, take a spin, gain a notch, take a spin.!!!!!!!!!<br><br>Thanks<br>Grampaw

 

Is this a bigger or smaller 5er than you had before? Are you a dually or single-rear-wheel? If not a dually, and the new trailer is heavier, you may be at or above your rear axle weight rating and that could require some other things like air bag suspension, etc. It would be advisable to check your hitch weight at a scale to know for sure what load you are placing on the rear axle.

 

It's smaller in length, but taller (with the stand-up bedroom). I was just thinking that maybe by raising the truck hitch, it affected the center of gravity???????? I really have no idea.
I'm a single axel, not a duelly.

Thanks for your answers
Grampaw

 

Raising the height of the hitch will increase the center of gravity but not near as much as adding 2 feet to the top of your new vs old trailer. Double pivot hitches (4 way) isolate the sway from the truck and can give false security as the driver may not realize the amount of lean in the trailer. Like it was quoted before get the trailer &quot;level&quot; first then assess the clearance over the p/u box (DP-4 way hitches need more) then adjust hitch in the truck or on the trailer will make no difference either one works. The taller trailer will catch more crosswind and have a higher center of gravity which will depend also on weight added at what level above the ground in the trailer. Most Rv's are not as top heavy as they seem but the wind will move any larger/taller object easier with more surface area to push against. 80% of the trailer weight excepting the structure will be below 6 feet off the ground ie; fluid tanks,appliances,food etc. A level trailer benefits from all the springs supplying equal pressure to help stabilize the load (wind pressure, cornering) as well as a single pivot 5th wheel which supports some of the side pressure. Double pivots produce less stress on the couplers and frames of both units but offer no side/lean support in a crosswind or cornering. The width of the fifth wheel (single pivot) also has an effect on this (most RV's are 12&quot; wide) and the only way to compensate for all this is acknowledge it and drive accordingly. A level tow vehicle will transmit less sway/lean to the driver than one which is to low on the back as the driver will try to compensate for the front end stability with oversteer. It should be noted the lower the hitch in the truck the least amount of sway transmitted, however the longer the trailer tongue less control from the truck is obtained for trailer lean. Hope this does not confuse you more but a well setup combination pulls easier and more predictably. PK

 

Very well put PK. I think you and I have said these similar things on other threads, so wasn't going into as much detail, but have have stated the various considerations and effects here very nicely. Thanks.

 

I would go with keeping the hitch plate as low in the truck as possible and extending the pin box of the trailer instead. Makes for a more stabile setup by lowering the center of gravity of the truck itself. You should not feel unconfortable towing a fiver. If you do, there is something wrong. FWIW

Casey

 

Casey your right one should not be uncomfortable when operating any equipment, if you are this means something is wrong. Unfortunately the problem sometimes cannot be solved by changing and correcting equipment, it could be individuals with no experience and to proud to learn from others while endangering others. I believe in graduated liscences including RV operators, salesmen selling RV's presenting misleading information should also be responsable for their actions as well as the establishment they work for. The DTR and TDR forums have both supplied info that if used properly could reduce the amount of insecurity and incident. When I was learning to drive truck it was suggested to follow an experienced driver that was noted for good driving habits and attitude (mentor). I will tell you that the older and more professional drivers always offered me more usefull info for bettering myself than all the &quot;unsung heroes&quot; that looked cool. When buying equipment (RV's etc) dont let a salesman intimidate you, research first and if it doesn't sound right look some more and verify with numbers not impulse. DTR meets and the like will offer abounds of info in these areas. Rent a unit first go for a week long test drive, costly but not near as much as something you can't handle. PK

 

Absolutely right, PK. Another good source for first timers are the RV shows where all the vendors show off their latest models. Most of the people going to these shows are on their 3rd or later rig, and are more than willing to share their experience with others who strike up a conversation and admit lack of experience. That part of the equation is the easy part to get - information; whereas the other half of the equation is experience, and there is only one way to get that, unfortunately. Even at this, there are usually people in any community that would be glad to give a bit of instruction on the feel of this kind of driving, and the AAA or some RV association can probably point someone to an organization that provides just such instruction. I would like to see more state certification requirements on this, with some uniformity to it, but every state seems to have their own requirements (or lack thereof). The one quality needed more than anything else is some common sense, and Grampaw showed it here by asking questions with serious intent to learn. Keep up the great posts, guys, it is what makes our website so special. ;D