bad bounce while towing

rusty01 · August 2, 2012

I have been noticing a bad bounce when going over bumps when towing the TT. I had new shocks installed on the rear but that did nothing to remedy the issue. I did not replace the front shocks yet. Could those be the culprit? It almost feels like the camper is "pushing" down and forward while going over bumps. Truck and camper are in my sig. Any other info to help rememdy this would be helpful! Thanks!

00Silverado4x4 · August 2, 2012

Definitely get your front shocks done so you can hopefully discount that possible problem. Double check your trailer brakes to ensure they are both working the are providing enough stopping power. Also make sure you have the trailer loaded so that you have approx. 10-15% weight on the tongue. This will help prevent sway and provides better control of the trailer while driving. Lastly take a look at your equilizer bars, making sure you are putting too much/little weight distribution between your truck and trailer. If this all sounds like Greek take your truck/trailer combo, while loaded as you would be going camping, to a camper/travel trailer dealer and have them go over your rig to double check all settings and adjustments.

8.1HD/ALLISON · August 2, 2012

+1 above. Especially on the tongue weight. That looks like a good sized camper for a half ton truck.

nht mike · August 2, 2012

Sounds like you may not have heavy enough hitch bars. Weigh the tongue then make sure your bars are rated heigher than that. With the correct bars and hitch setting, the steer axle should have 5 to 10% of the tongue weight on it.

Mike

Blue2500CC · August 3, 2012

Did you try changing your speed while you were feeling the truck/trailer "bounce"? While it sounds like you may need higher rated bars, it is possible you were feeling "porpoising" due to road conditions.

As for how much weight to transfer to the trucks front axle, some now say to only transfer enough so the the front tow vehicle (tv) wheels weigh the same unhooked (no trailer at all) and hooked up, bars latched ready to go.

BUT... others, like Mike, like to transfer a little more weight to the front than when unhooked.

Which way is correct is the million $ question!

When I set up my 2k Chevy ECSB 4x4 I transfered almost enough weight to the front so there was almost equal drop front & rear. This was before I learned about actually weighing the truck/trailer combo at the CAT scales. I set up my new truck by transfering enough weight so the front axle weighs almost the same as unhooked. I am still trying to fine tune it though!

Good luck!!!! & keep us posted!!!

Chris

brainpause · August 3, 2012

Did you try changing your speed while you were feeling the truck/trailer "bounce"? While it sounds like you may need higher rated bars, it is possible you were feeling "porpoising" due to road conditions.

As for how much weight to transfer to the trucks front axle, some now say to only transfer enough so the the front tow vehicle (tv) wheels weigh the same unhooked (no trailer at all) and hooked up, bars latched ready to go.

BUT... others, like Mike, like to transfer a little more weight to the front than when unhooked.

Which way is correct is the million $ question!

When I set up my 2k Chevy ECSB 4x4 I transfered almost enough weight to the front so there was almost equal drop front & rear. This was before I learned about actually weighing the truck/trailer combo at the CAT scales. I set up my new truck by transfering enough weight so the front axle weighs almost the same as unhooked. I am still trying to fine tune it though!

Good luck!!!! & keep us posted!!!

Chris

Well said, as other input.

Porpoising was my first thought, especially if you were experiencing this on a concrete highway. Seems that many times the sections of concrete match the resonant frequency of the combo. If you are going just the right speed, it will jar your liver. In those cases, there is often nothing wrong with the setup; you'll just need to vary your speed.

I tinkered with my setup so much that I tired of it. I even went to both extremes. Once I even had so much weight shifted forward, off the rear tires, that a simple, slow launch resulted in spinning tires on dry pavement!

Ultimately, IIRC, I got just a little more weight on steer axle than empty. Works well. I've got my Cat Scale sheet scanned. I'll try to post it tomorrow.

Z45 · August 3, 2012

Your rear springs are not up to the job, too much weight. And like was said, you are pushing the limits of a 1500 with that size trailer IMO.

rusty01 · August 3, 2012

OK, I understand that the trailer is almost too much for my 1500, I get that. I knew that before I bought the trailer. I did install some Monroe Sensatrac coil overs in the rear. Didn't seem to help any. I did try and vary my speed but didn't seem to help. I wonder if maybe I do have too much WD to the front. I guess I will have to mess around with bar placement and see what happens. I am getting new shocks installed on the front, Monroe Reflex monos. I do hope it's just due to bad front shocks but the way it acts I am guessing that will not totally fix it. Might help a little though guess I'll find out.

Knowklew · August 3, 2012

Get a bigger truck

rusty01 · August 3, 2012

Get a bigger truck

You gonna buy it for me?? Duh, of course that would be the best option but since I am a poor Michigan worker, I gotta use my ol rusty pickup! lol

Knowklew · August 3, 2012

...

00Silverado4x4 · August 3, 2012

Just to back up a bit, what are your official weights on this trailer? Take it to a certified weight scale and get your true empty (dry) weight, tongue weight and rear axle(s) weight. Then do the same for loaded. Then with loaded with the truck (also loaded). I am a curious type person and would like to see what your actual numbers on this truck/trailer combo. Yeah you "might" be overloading but then again maybe not, after all trailer size isn't the real issue as trailer weight is what is going to be the problem here.

pwall · August 3, 2012

Looking at a website for the trailer, it's listed at 6890lbs dry, so the GVWR is most likely close to 9000lbs.

What I see on the website is that they're listing the hitch weight at 3010lbs, that can't be right. I would suggest to get the trailer weighed, and have the tongue weight weighed as well. Then you'll be able to make a more of an informed decision on what might need to be done to your tow vehicle to support it.

What is the exact model you have ?

rusty01 · August 3, 2012

Yellow sticker on door of trailer list 6298# dry. Listed dry weight online lists base weight of 5590# and hitch weight of 740#. GVWR on trailer is 7600#. I do not have a convient way to weigh the trailer as there are no cat scales close to me. Just going off what is listed on the trailer itself and my onwers manual of my truck. I do know we pack rather light with just minimal things needed for camping.