chugging motion seems to be worse with new 5th airborne coup

Discuss with others about towing. What is the best tow vehicle, hitches, brake controllers, etc, keeping in mind that everybody has his/her favorite.

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stufisher
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Location: Tennessee Kingston Springs
Cardinal Owners: 2008 33tbhle cardinal 5th wheel,tow vehicle 2007 classic 2500hd 4x4 crewcab duramax
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chugging motion seems to be worse with new 5th airborne coup

Post by stufisher »

I have a o7 classic duramax crewcab 4x4 2500hd with air bags. pulling a cardinal 2008 33tbh le. i replaced the original lippert pin box with a 21,00 lb. 5th airborne premium air ride coupler. I am having trouble finding the sweet spot of air pressures. The chugging seems to be worse than the old pin box. i have tried between 60 and 70 pounds in truck air bags and 40 to 70 in pin box bag. Its almost like they are fighting against each other. I haven't tried adjusting the pin box bag from front to back.
Thanks for any insight
2008 cardinal 5th wheel model 33tbhle towing with a 2007 classic 2500hd 4x4 crewcab duramax.
Stuart and Candy Fisher
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dfredendall
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Re: chugging motion seems to be worse with new 5th airborne

Post by dfredendall »

Stuart, I have a 5th Airborne kingpin and like it very much. I fill the air bag to the "fill line" on the side of the pin box. That is where it performs best. I do not know how much air pressure that amounts to. 70-80 lbs may be about right. Is your truck and trailer level when connected? An out of level trailer will cause the trailer's center of gravity to be off, and make the trailer ride poorly. I would also check and be sure ALL bolts and connections your entire hitch set up are tight, so no excess movement is occurring. As far as truck air bags go, it seems to me they are too stiff at the pressure your list. I had a 3/4 ton truck before my F-350, and ran the bags at 25 lbs. All was good for me there. The key is to get the rig level.
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rplato
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Re: chugging motion seems to be worse with new 5th airborne

Post by rplato »

On my old trailer, I was runnung air bags on a 3/4 ton truck and had some problem with chucking. I added a 5th Airborne, and it improved, but still there. When I traded trucks it improved dramatically. So, if Dana's suggestions don't work, they might actually be fighting each other. Guess you could have too much of a good thing.
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stufisher
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Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:37 pm
Location: Tennessee Kingston Springs
Cardinal Owners: 2008 33tbhle cardinal 5th wheel,tow vehicle 2007 classic 2500hd 4x4 crewcab duramax
Location: Tennessee Kingston Springs

Re: chugging motion seems to be worse with new 5th airborne

Post by stufisher »

Thanks for the advice. With the pounds I put in the truck air bags its brings the truck up level from the slight squat it has from camper sitting on it. With the adjustments of the hitch pin on camper and adjustments of hitch in truck the rig does sit level.I think I have been going way past that mark or line on the side of camper hitch though. I will have to check that out.
Thanks again
2008 cardinal 5th wheel model 33tbhle towing with a 2007 classic 2500hd 4x4 crewcab duramax.
Stuart and Candy Fisher
watkinsk
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Re: chugging motion seems to be worse with new 5th airborne

Post by watkinsk »

Stuart, on my 2004 1/2 Dodge 3500 I had Firestone RideRite airbags installed and ran the pressure at 25 lbs when towing and 15 lbs when not towing. I think you are on to the problem with your rear end so stiff the 5th Airborne is being countermanded.
BTW, I am installing the Firestone RideRites this winter on my 2012 Ford (the OEM springs are starting to show some very minor sag)
r/ Keith & Sher
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dfredendall
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Re: chugging motion seems to be worse with new 5th airborne

Post by dfredendall »

FYI with air bags you need minimal air in the bags even when not towing. At least 5 lbs needed to keep bag from chaffing.
Dana & Cindy Fredendall
Highland, California
2018 3350RLX- Luxury Edition
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7 Diesel
There are great experiences and new friends everywhere we go!
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