Suspension fixes

tawoo · 10-12-2014, 05:18 AM

This is a take off of the thread "Towing a 33 Foot Trailer vs 33 FT Fifth Wheel".
It got me wondering what options I can have to help eliminate the "bounce" I get pulling my TT with my 1/2 ton Silverado?
I already have an equalizer hitch, love the camper and power is not a problem but after a few miles down the road I feel like I'm back in my NAVY days on the carrier in the sea of Japan. That was no fun either..

robkelly · 10-12-2014, 05:49 AM

I installed Roadmaster Active Suspension and it made a world of difference. It improved the unloaded driving characteristics of the truck too. There are other options such as shocks, Timbrens, etc., but I think the Roadmaster is your best option.

Ustabslim · 10-12-2014, 06:34 AM

If your bouncing up and down I would recommend changing ball height or torsion bars position or both. Something is not right. Tonge weight is not correct or height or combination of both. I would start with shortening chain by one link..take a short drive and see what that does.

Seann45 · 10-12-2014, 06:52 AM

I have to agree with TX. Take it in to a good RV shop and have them trouble shoot your setup. Since you have posted no info on your setup my only other thought is how old is the truck and more importantly the shocks..

tawoo · 10-12-2014, 07:45 AM

Thank you for your replies. My truck is only four months old. The setup is a Reese equalizer hitch installed by the Jayco dealer. Not to say it could not be the problem or the "bounce" I feel is simply normal. Another issue could be the roads we pull the camper on. Most are back country and not freeway.
Still, if there is something I could do to help I'm willing to add it to the truck. I'm interested in the Roadmaster Active Suspension robkelly mentioned.

Ustabslim · 10-12-2014, 07:52 AM

Bounce is not normal. I would guess you need to drop a link on the chain. These are easy to set up. Sometimes the person at the dlr has no clue. I would do it for you if your close.

tawoo · 10-12-2014, 08:08 AM

Texashighsheriff what do you mean "drop a link". Make it looser or tighter? Right now when I lift my bars it takes all my strength to do it and that's with the trailer and ball high up to take tension off. Then after lowering it looks like the trailer is in line with my truck. I use a steel pipe for leverage.

Ustabslim · 10-12-2014, 08:50 AM

Droppin a link will make it tighter. Your ball may be to high or low causing you to need to much tension to level. I would start by raising your ball one notch and leave the chain as is and start from there. This is after you mentioned how much torsion you already have.
I have never had bounce unless not adjusted correctly.
What is the height of your ball when unloaded.

tawoo · 10-12-2014, 09:05 AM

I'm not sure my camper is set up at the site and I am not there. I'll check.
I understand what your saying but I always thought the bottom line is when everything is in place and set up correctly the TT should be level and in line with the tow vehicle which mine is.
That is really interesting is you feel no bounce. This is not the first camper that I have felt it on and thought was normal and a reason people go to a 5th wheel.
If I drop a link and make it tighter I don't think I could attach it. Unless I used a 20ft bar for leverage. It's that hard to do.

Rustic Eagle · 10-12-2014, 09:24 AM

Take you TV/TT combination under "loaded" conditions to a CAT scale and weight it. This is the only way to confirm all your weights (tongue weight, TT weight, etc.) and to insure that your WDH is adjusted correctly...., plus the CAT data will confirm that the WDH is properly rated for your loaded tongue weight.

Since your RV dealer installed your WDH and assuming they did it correctly, it was then adjusted under "unloaded" conditions, you are towing under "loaded" conditions...., the WDH needs to be re-adjusted.

CAT scale how-to: http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3871

Bob

tawoo · 10-12-2014, 09:43 AM

You may have hit the nail on the head. Yes, it was adjusted unloaded by the dealer. However, when we go camping we fill the back of the truck with all our gear plus a ton of firewood. New York State frowns on taking anything from the wilderness area we camp at.
So, my camper with all the extras could be what's causing the bounce.

Ustabslim · 10-12-2014, 10:29 AM

The more you tell is the more I see. Your prolly overloaded. Need a 3/4 ton.

tawoo · 10-12-2014, 12:17 PM

....or even a one ton. Plus don't forget the wine... oh, the wine...
Seriously, when we go we go for two weeks even a month at a time and need all the supplies to last us for that period. Yes, I'm loaded to the hilt with bikes, kayaks, food, firewood, beer and wine. Hey, you have to be prepared ya know.

Ustabslim · 10-12-2014, 01:43 PM

Im one who doesn't think you can get to much tow vehicle.

Camper_bob · 10-12-2014, 05:30 PM

You should have enough truck for a 26 BH. Double check your hitch is set up correctly using a scale and the hitch instructions under loaded conditions. If that's all right, the Roadmaster Active Suspension is awesome, you will really like it, it takes the bounce from rough roads out very well.

tawoo · 10-13-2014, 06:04 PM

I'm going to get the Roadmaster Active Suspension it sounds like a worthwhile investment.

wwsmith111 · 10-13-2014, 06:27 PM

X2 on the Roadmaster suspension. It made a huge difference! My rig tows very stable after installing it.

Camper_bob · 10-14-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tawoo

I'm going to get the Roadmaster Active Suspension it sounds like a worthwhile investment.

Just remember it won't increase your published payload capacity, it will just allow your truck to better handle a full load.

I was re-reading some of the posts on here and saw mention of filling the bed of the truck with lots of stuff including a full load of fire wood. If you're over, you're over, RAS won't increase your payload. Their old documentation allegedly used to say it "increases payload" but I think they had to remove that language for legal reasons...

clubhouse · 10-14-2014, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tawoo

I'm going to get the Roadmaster Active Suspension it sounds like a worthwhile investment.

Worthwhile investment or not -- IMO you shouldn't spend any money till you get actual loaded and ready to camp weights at a CAT scale.

EDIT -- I looked up the specs on the 2014 267BHS I believe you mentioned in another thread that you have. Based on a published dry TW or 630 lbs, by the time you add batteries, gear in the TT and load the truck the way you describe I imagine the bounce you are experiencing is coming from TV being overloaded. Still I think the smart money is getting real weights, then depending in the results make a plan. That could be as simple as loading differently or less, or could be much more expensive like suspension modifications you are asking about all they way to determining you TV is up to the task you are asking of it.

We load heavy like you describe, in a past combination I was towing a 26BH with a '04 Silverado 5.3L 3:73 4x4. I was at best at the limit, typically over, and just not real pleased. At the same time I had a Tahoe too, same engine/transmission/axle ration and it was significantly worse than the truck.

Good luck sorting this out.

Plowtoy · 10-14-2014, 01:36 PM

May be a dumb question, but what kind of Silverado are you driving? Im not sure if they even make these anymore, but a regular cab short box, will tow WAY differant than a crew cab long box... Just a thought. I know with the short wheel base of my Tahoe, and the size of our camper, I get a fair amount of bounce from the camper. I cant believe that any kind of change in my hitch set up would completely remove that since I have such a short wheel base.

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