Fifthwheel towing

[Rtomlin]

I have a 2019 Ram 2500hd limited. Purchased it to tow fifthwheel camper the problem is when towing the truck rocks from side to side as if it will turn over. Had camper checked out no problem found. They recommended new shocks and a heavier sway bar. Anyone else having this problem.

 

[RV_Goose]

Never had that issue with my 2013 RAM 2500 pulling a 12k 5th wheel. What hitch are you using? Is the camper new? I have read about some 5th wheel pin mount welds breaking.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Pin weight?

Hitch and Pinbox type (turning point or sidewinder?)

I think the inboard coil springs cause issues for some setups.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I have a 2019 Ram 2500hd limited. Purchased it to tow fifthwheel camper the problem is when towing the truck rocks from side to side as if it will turn over. Had camper checked out no problem found. They recommended new shocks and a heavier sway bar. Anyone else having this problem.

Never had an issue with my 19 tradesman it tows smooth as silk

 

[Rtomlin]

Using a blue ok 20k hitch. I pulled the same camper with a 2019 ram 1500 limited with no problems just under powered. The camper is 12k pounds with 2200 pound tongue weight. The trailer shop said the 2500 hd sway bar and shocks were to week. To replace these with heavy-duty is $1600. It's like the load stability is working against itself. It doesn't sway or buck just rocks back and forth drastically.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Using a blue ok 20k hitch. I pulled the same camper with a 2019 ram 1500 limited with no problems just under powered. The camper is 12k pounds with 2200 pound tongue weight. The trailer shop said the 2500 hd sway bar and shocks were to week. To replace these with heavy-duty is $1600. It's like the load stability is working against itself. It doesn't sway or buck just rocks back and forth drastically.

They are full of it.... have you tried adjusting the hitch any? Do you have the air ride?

 

[Rtomlin]

I do gave air ride. I have tried it both in normal high and alternate trailer hight. I am going to try a different hitch and see how it does. The blue ok has shocks built-in the tubes that may cause a counter action.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I do gave air ride. I have tried it both in normal high and alternate trailer hight. I am going to try a different hitch and see how it does. The blue ok has shocks built-in the tubes that may cause a counter action.

That could be it, i run an air ride hitch but even my static hitch rides pretty good

 

[Brutal_HO]

Opposing shocks/cushions can be an issue.

The Q-Series Curt hitches and Rota-Flex pinboxes are said to be incompatible but that was more a front-back issue. Yet the Mor-ride (sliding cushion) seems to work well with the Q-series hitches.

Also, what tires/pressure are you running? They can contribute to setting up an oscillation that the suspension and a cushioned hitch can make worse.

 

[Rtomlin]

Tire pressure in truck is 75lbs and camper is 80lbs. My king pin box is just a standard box no cushions or flex the welds are like new. Had this camper delivered to me with a Ram 2500hd, long wheel base and he said it pulled perfect. his truck was a 2018 no air ride. my new Ram seems to have a lot of rock when you stand beside it and push on the cab. dealer says everything is fine. the shocks seem weak they have 16k miles on them.

 

[kobra]

Tire pressure in truck is 75lbs and camper is 80lbs. My king pin box is just a standard box no cushions or flex the welds are like new. Had this camper delivered to me with a Ram 2500hd, long wheel base and he said it pulled perfect. his truck was a 2018 no air ride. my new Ram seems to have a lot of rock when you stand beside it and push on the cab. dealer says everything is fine. the shocks seem weak they have 16k miles on them.

I think it sounds like you do have an issue with the truck.
My prior rig was a 2016 2500 with air suspension and a 12k 5th wheel. I used a different hitch but the setup was very solid.
The only issues I ever had with sway on that rig was on secondary highways that were paved but rutted up; we get a lot of those in our area due to a lot of farm and oil field trucks. The ruts would move the RV and truck in different directions at times, and once it started to sway it would move the truck a lot. But it was solid everywhere else including when passing semis going the other way on 2 lanes, etc.
I would air the rear tires up to 80psi when towing just to make sure. But also see if there is a good suspension shop or another dealer to check the suspension. The fact you can rock the truck by pushing on the cab is concerning. Of course there will be some movement but this is an HD truck here, it should feel solid.

hth
B

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Tire pressure in truck is 75lbs and camper is 80lbs. My king pin box is just a standard box no cushions or flex the welds are like new. Had this camper delivered to me with a Ram 2500hd, long wheel base and he said it pulled perfect. his truck was a 2018 no air ride. my new Ram seems to have a lot of rock when you stand beside it and push on the cab. dealer says everything is fine. the shocks seem weak they have 16k miles on them.

Shocks are only to absorb shock not support the vehicle even if your shocks are shot you would only having a bouncing up and down not side to side how is the trailer setup on the truck if the trailer is up to high at the front it can cause the feeling you are describing you want the trailer to be as close to level as you can get it.... so hitch and pin box adjustment may be required

 

[Ostracize]

This might be part of the problem.

Obviously not a fifth wheel but this type of load imbalance sway can still happen.

 

[kobra]

This might be part of the problem.

Obviously not a fifth wheel but this type of load imbalance sway can still happen.

It's possible, but with most 5th wheels that is not the issue, and in fact more often there is too much weight on the hitch. The overhang on the front of a 5th wheel adds significant weight to the tow vehicle, and on most models the majority of the storage is ahead of the axles.
But, just in case this is an exception, the OP could go to a CAT scale and check the weights on each of the axles.

I'm still concerned that the truck seems to move a lot when pushing on the cab; that just doesn't seem right to me.

B

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

It's possible, but with most 5th wheels that is not the issue, and in fact more often there is too much weight on the hitch. The overhang on the front of a 5th wheel adds significant weight to the tow vehicle, and on most models the majority of the storage is ahead of the axles.
But, just in case this is an exception, the OP could go to a CAT scale and check the weights on each of the axles.

I'm still concerned that the truck seems to move a lot when pushing on the cab; that just doesn't seem right to me.

B

Thats normal to be able to rock a truck pushing on the cab.... the reason 5thwheel and goosenecks have more pin weight is mainly due to the fact the axles are closer to 70/30 vs a bumper pull where the axles are 60/40

 

[GBB]

May try a Hellwig Bigwig sway bar..they are around $400~$500 if memory serves me.

 

[RamCares]

I have a 2019 Ram 2500hd limited. Purchased it to tow fifthwheel camper the problem is when towing the truck rocks from side to side as if it will turn over. Had camper checked out no problem found. They recommended new shocks and a heavier sway bar. Anyone else having this problem.

Hi @Rtomlin. We certainly understand how this would be a concern while towing your fifth wheel. If at any point you decide to address this with your Ram dealer, our team is just a private message away and more than willing to escalate a case on your behalf to a specialist for further support through that process.

Kathryn
Ram Cares

 

[NDanecker]

Using a blue ok 20k hitch. I pulled the same camper with a 2019 ram 1500 limited with no problems just under powered. The camper is 12k pounds with 2200 pound tongue weight. The trailer shop said the 2500 hd sway bar and shocks were to week. To replace these with heavy-duty is $1600. It's like the load stability is working against itself. It doesn't sway or buck just rocks back and forth drastically.

Dead giveaway. This thread makes no sense.

 

[Justice12t]

I have a 2019 Ram 2500hd limited. Purchased it to tow fifthwheel camper the problem is when towing the truck rocks from side to side as if it will turn over. Had camper checked out no problem found. They recommended new shocks and a heavier sway bar. Anyone else having this problem.

My uncle had this same issue with a Ram 2500. He actually ended up changing his truck tires and said that completely resolved the issue. I'm not sure what he took off but they weren't the factory tires. Hope maybe this helps a little.

 

[JimmyfromSF]

I have a 2019 Ram 2500hd limited. Purchased it to tow fifthwheel camper the problem is when towing the truck rocks from side to side as if it will turn over. Had camper checked out no problem found. They recommended new shocks and a heavier sway bar. Anyone else having this problem.

RTomlin, I just bought a 2019 Ram 2500 Limited with the air level suspension. I tow my 14k 5th wheel with it. It sways so much it is scary. Never had this issue with the 2004 Ford F250 I used before buying my Ram. Did you find a solution to your problem? I would sure like to hear your feedback. Thanks