5th wheel RV Bounces Using a Curt Q20 in a 2012 Ram 3500 and Trailair Rota-Flex 5th Wheel Pin Box

Question:

Whats the best way to reduce bouncing 5th wheels? Air bags, stableloads, air shocks on the truck, flex air pin box or something else on the 5th wheel 38+ feet Redwood RV, ~ 16500 pounds, ~3000 pound pin weight. Is there a better approach, bouncing occurs whether I load the nose heavy or light. What is the recommended sequence of things to do to improve the bounce? I already have the SuperSprings Stops mounted to the overload springs to help with sag and excessive bounce. Seems the suspension travel is between the lower and upper springs, at rest, on my 2012 Ram 3500 DRW. I think the overloads get engaged violently, transferring all that force to the hitch, pin box, nose. curt q20 and rotoflex. chucking is pretty welll controlled....its the bouncing and sudden upward impacts from potholes that needs improv Opinions are welcome. Thanks

asked by: Rodney

Expert Reply:

The Trailair Rota-Flex 5th Wheel Pin Box, such as the # LC328329 and # LC328330 are not compatible with the Curt Q20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, # C16130. Lippert has in the notes for their product "The Trailair Rota-Flex is not compatible with Curt E-Series or Q-Series 5th wheel hitches".

I cannot say for positive that this conflict is 100 percent of your issue but it is a good starting point. If you want to consider changing the 5th wheel hitch, I suggest the B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - 18,000 lbs, # BWRVK3255 it is a great option and installs with ISR above bed rails. B&W hitches have outstanding quality, are made here in the USA with lifetime warranties, which are usually no questions asked. Their 3/4" thick dual jaws provide 360-degree jaw-to-king-pin contact and fully articulating head eases hookup and helps to limit chucking.

expert reply by: Michael R