316s cougar

[Bob575]

Twice on my trip south my 2023 316rls cougar fifth wheel rear fishtailed. I never had this problem with any trailer I have had. This fifth wheel has the Reese sidewinder pin box. Don’t know if this was the cause. Has anybody had this problem

[sourdough]

What are you towing it with?

[Bob575]

Originally Posted by sourdough

What are you towing it with?

2018 Silverado 3500 which is plenty of truck

[sourdough]

Should be for the 316rls but wasn't stated in the initial post.

What were the circumstances? I've had all kinds of trailers "fish tail" for various reasons....but there was a reason. I can't figure the hitch doing it unless it is faulty in some way.

[Bob575]

We have a toy tote that we carry our atv on that is welded to the trailer frame rails. It has its own two wheel axle and is hinged to move up and down. I have been using this unit on my last fifth wheel with no problem. It was a bigger Montana fifth wheel. One thing I did fine was my truck rear air bags were inflated higher that normal for what I use. Don’t know if that would change the center of gravity on the trailer

[JRTJH]

I believe the "toy tote" that you mentioned has swivel wheels ???

If so, I followed a fifth wheel with a similar carry system behind it last time we came back from North Carolina. BOTH of the swivel wheels on his tote were bouncing, swiveling and tracking in any direction except "following the trailer and truck. I suspected that he had some issues with the bearings in the wheel swivel mechanism, but couldn't be sure as he never stopped and we finally turned off on another interstate after a couple hundred miles of following his rig.

You might have a "dual issue" in that you said your air bags were inflated more than usual, which would lift the front of your fifth wheel, causing increased pressure on those swivel wheels on the tote.

It could be that there's an issue with the swivel bearings and a situation where you "increased the load on the tote" over its design limit by raising the trailer nose with over-inflated air bags ?????

I'd look at the rig when parked and level and see if the nose remains high causing more weight to be shifted to the tote wheels by lowering the rear of your trailer .... And, I'd do a good inspection on the swivel wheel mechanism to be sure it's working properly.

That may not be your issue, but is some place to start.

[Bob575]

Thank you for your help and I will check out the bearings that make sense

[Stircrazy]

you most likely have reduced the hitch pin weight too much. This will cause fishtailing in a heartbeat if it is severe enough.

[flybouy]

I agree with John's theory. Sounds like a Wal-Mart grocery cart hitched to the back I would also check all tire pressures and check the trailer tires for any signs of belt shifting.