No, it's not a dance.

I have a 5th wheel RV that I got new last year that was delivered with a gooseneck. I have no experience with a real 5th wheel hitch. Problem I have is a lot of front to back bounce while traveling down the road. If I were to get the 5th Wheel Companion, would that eliminate most, if not all of the bounce?

 

I doubt that switching to a 5th wheel will solve your problems,you don't say how much pin weight you have but I suspect that your springs and shocks can't keep up with the load,that is what is causing the bounce.Adding helper springs, (that the 2500 does not have compared to the 3500), will help. Timbrens or Air bags are also an option. The bounce is not being caused by the type of hitch.

 

Sherman, I guess I should have said a "push/pull" effect, not bounce. I don't know what I was thinking saying bounce - wrong word choice. It's a front to back tug then push, nearly constantly. The tongue weight is about 1800 lbs., which I weighed. I have calculated right at the 2300 or so truck payload, with the RV/truck loaded. It is one of the smallest RV 5th wheel's available from Sportsman, with a 10,000 Gross weight rating.

Do you think this is still my problem?

 

Any posibility that the gooseneck may be undersized and is flexing? Take a close look at it for signs of flaking paint at the stress points.

 

If it makes you feel any better, I felt some of that while pulling a 32' goose with 2 off-road rigs on it.. Not an uncomfortable amount at all, but I did feel a little of it.. a slight "rubber band" effect.

Part of it no doubt is the engine/trans mounts soaking up things..

 

I am guessing that is what it is...the Rubber Band effect like Eskimo stated.
It can be caused by frame flex of the RV, improper weight distribution, different tire pressures, hitch position in the bed, if the 5th wheel is sitting level.
If the 5th wheel is raised at the front it can give a push pull hop and once it gets going, if the road has some smooth bumps in it...it can get pretty bad.
I would check all this first before trying a different hitch.

Scotty

 

Heed what Mexstan said. If you do a search, you will read several cases of the 5vr pinbox frame cracking under the stress of a Gooseneck adapter.

 

Also, I got that 'tugging' effect with a trailer with torsion axles under it.
Long story short, after I put regular equalized spring axles under it, the trailer tows smooth as glass.

 

I have the same thing while pulling a GN at 12k, mostly the relief between the ball and it's receiver. A little movement feels like alot. With a 10k trailer the hitch is not over loaded. I believe that hitch is rated for a 30k trailer w/ 7500lbs pin weight.

 

If the trailer bounces and yanks alot

the axles are probably too far off center, or the tires are too many plies. I have pulled empty cattle trailers that have axles really far back and they ride horrendously. when the ten ply tires warm up or they are loaded they ride much better. I would be willing to bet either of those can be your problem. Your tires are too stiff, or the axles are too far back on the trailer, which can also cause too much weight on the tounge, an improperly balanced trailer does not tow well..

Tx

 

The rule of thumb is the hitch is suppose to be 3 inches to the rear of being dead center over the rear end. Inspect yours to see how far off center you are. Also, the hitch must be tied to the truck frame in at least 4 places on each side of the hitch. Are you pulling with a semi type 2 inch pin or are you using a 2 5/16 ball? You may have a two inch ball and the weight is keeping it from coming loose but will have a lot of slop on the hitch. Another check is to weigh the trailer and the truck seperate then weigh the truck & trailer without the trailer axles on the scales. Rule of thumb is 10% of the trailer weight be on the hitch. Last but not least, contact anyone else that has the same brand and model trailer to see if they are having the same problem. Hope some of this helps you.

 

is it three inches in front of the axle or behind it....just made a hitch for mine and i thought in front of the axle would be better?

 

Hmmmmm....I would say 3-4" ahead of the axle centerline. That is how B&W does it.
Added...you beat me Smokeman! I believe it is better...puts some weight on the front axle.

 

thats what i thought too....help squat the whole truck to add stability..instead of lifting the front tires up? but hey i am just a texas red neck maybe i am about to do some "learnin" here, if i am wrong...(hope the new rhino liner can cover that hole i just drilled in the bed!)

 

I have to pull an old 28' EBY aluminum stock trailer sometimes that has the surging effect you are describing. I think it has torsion axles; but I pull so many that I am not sure.

No other trailer does this behind my truck, just the EBY.

When it sets up a pattern of surging, it will do it for several miles.

Very worry-some.