New 5th wheel sway

[kamper00]

Maxxis8008's are made in Thailand (or at least the ones I have)

[Barlow46]

Extended pin box on new trailer? Doesn’t necessarily change pin weight but does move trailer axle further from truck axle. Think tail wagging dog concept. You definitely need more pin weight in my opinion.

[glennwest]

Actually a straight down pinbox will increase pin weight.

[kamper00]

Extended pin on new and old 5er.

[ALLOY]

Originally Posted by kamper00

I tried using the ratio calculator but with a fifth wheel it didn't seem to apply and even if I did enter in what I had couldn't figure out the ratio.

I had from between the axle to the pin is 201" from between axle to rear of camper is 128 length of camper is 330...from the basic math I get a 63/37 ratio but not sure what that means.....

I'd look into the ratio.

Can't remember a 5th (or any trailer) that has more behind the axles than in front.

Wind will have more of an affect at the back than the front.

[kamper00]

Originally Posted by ALLOY

I'd look into the ratio.

Can't remember a 5th (or any trailer) that has more behind the axles than in front.

Wind will have more of an affect at the back than the front.

The ratio here is 63/37 63% of the length of the trailer is from axle to pin...

[mobilemike]

Originally Posted by kamper00

The ratio here is 63/37 63% of the length of the trailer is from axle to pin...

Did you ever check to see if the axles were square to the pin?

[ALLOY]

Originally Posted by kamper00

The ratio here is 63/37 63% of the length of the trailer is from axle to pin...

Yes sorry, that was my bad.

[kamper00]

Originally Posted by mobilemike

There are instructions for how to measure axle alignment on the 5er. That would be one of the things I would do right away.

I have been looking at axle alignment and am quite perplexed. Taking a straight edge across the right side (passenger side) the tires are straight. The straight edge touches both tires equally front and back. But on the left side (drivers side) the rear wheel back has a gap of about .25" and the front tire back has about .12" but when I measure from the back it is more or less equal and as far as I can tell the backing plate to backing plate is ok too. I tried swapping rear tires from left to right and vise versa on the back, no change.
These are Dexter torsion axles. How can it be straight on on one side and off on the other?? There is no adjustment, they are bolted on.

(And yes, the straight edge is straight LOL )

And if this is a real issue, can this be causing the camper not to tow happily? Still looking at pin weight.

[mobilemike]

Originally Posted by kamper00

I have been looking at axle alignment and am quite perplexed. Taking a straight edge across the right side (passenger side) the tires are straight. The straight edge touches both tires equally front and back. But on the left side (drivers side) the rear wheel back has a gap of about .25" and the front tire back has about .12" but when I measure from the back it is more or less equal and as far as I can tell the backing plate to backing plate is ok too. I tried swapping rear tires from left to right and vise versa on the back, no change.
These are Dexter torsion axles. How can it be straight on on one side and off on the other?? There is no adjustment, they are bolted on.

(And yes, the straight edge is straight LOL )

And if this is a real issue, can this be causing the camper not to tow happily? Still looking at pin weight.

The thing you need to check is the alignment of the axle to the PIN.

You will drop a plumb bob from the center of the pin and mark it on the floor. Then you want to measure from the front of the first spring hanger on the right side of the trailer to the point. Then measure the other side from the same point to the spot on the floor. Those two distances need to be the same. If one axle is off it will pull the trailer off to the side that is farther back from the pin.

[kamper00]

Originally Posted by mobilemike

The thing you need to check is the alignment of the axle to the PIN.

You will drop a plumb bob from the center of the pin and mark it on the floor. Then you want to measure from the front of the first spring hanger on the right side of the trailer to the point. Then measure the other side from the same point to the spot on the floor. Those two distances need to be the same. If one axle is off it will pull the trailer off to the side that is farther back from the pin.

...no springs..Torsion axle....How do I do the measurement with this type of axle?

[IC2]

What suspension is on the 5er - 5200 or 6000 pound. Or even less! Ours new had 5200 suspension and weighed in at just 12,000 pounds with only about 10 gallons of on board water but our minimal normal travel things. Figuring 1800-2200 pounds of pin weight, those springs and outer bearings were barely adequate. To say that it wiggled and wallowed, especially on bridge approaches and departures, is an understatement. I upgraded the springs along with wet bolts to 6K, added disc brakes with lower unsprung weight and installed the 6K bearings plus a 1" spacer to raise it a bit. No more wallow and wiggle. It does have a tendency to push a little if you are on a downhill curve but the stock Ford rear sway bar is pretty small diameter and is on the 'list' for a change to a big Helwig.

Others have given you good points to consider too.

Good luck

[Barlow46]

Originally Posted by kamper00

I have been looking at axle alignment and am quite perplexed. Taking a straight edge across the right side (passenger side) the tires are straight. The straight edge touches both tires equally front and back. But on the left side (drivers side) the rear wheel back has a gap of about .25" and the front tire back has about .12" but when I measure from the back it is more or less equal and as far as I can tell the backing plate to backing plate is ok too. I tried swapping rear tires from left to right and vise versa on the back, no change.
These are Dexter torsion axles. How can it be straight on on one side and off on the other?? There is no adjustment, they are bolted on.

(And yes, the straight edge is straight LOL )

And if this is a real issue, can this be causing the camper not to tow happily? Still looking at pin weight.

If you backed your trailer into you driveway, make sure you “unload” the stress on the axles and tires from the turn. Pull forward to straighten up and then back to parking position. If by chance you didn’t do this, it could affect your straight edge measurements.

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by Barlow46

If you backed your trailer into you driveway, make sure you “unload” the stress on the axles and tires from the turn. Pull forward to straighten up and then back to parking position. If by chance you didn’t do this, it could affect your straight edge measurements.

Not sure that could happen with torsion axles. If they did flex like that then that would bend them.