Eagle HT 24.6 bounces like a ball

[MtnGoat]

I open this thread for everyone's thoughts and experiences. Maybe help others with similar issues.

Our trip to Redding from Modesto on I-5 was a disaster in ride quality. Our traveling Pals were shocked to watch our trailer get air when we first hit the causeway just north of SAC airport. Had to slow to 40mph as to not totally destroy the rig. That section of road is a rolling oscillation nightmare. Our south bound run on I-5 was not much better.

From our caravan Pals, the videos of our rig was simply and uncontrollably BOUNCING. Even when the road is smooth, theres a slight front to rear rocking oscillation. Trailer info: New Goodyears at 80psi. Fresh water storage is minimal. The gray and black tanks are empty.

Our Truck info: 2015 Silverado Z71 4x 2500HD. The rear axle was dropped (short shackles) 2 inches to level with the pinbox. Added AirLift airbags. Anybody want to try airbags? For sale. Make me an offer. Used once.

The public scale was busy, so truck or trailer "only" weights aren't available at this time. Loaded axle weights are Front Truck 4760. Rear Truck 5060. Trailer Front 3580. Trailer Rear 3860. Yes I know I have to have the pin weight.

To start my plan, those bags are coming out! (Yes I read the experiences of others here and was warned!) I also feel the truck is due a new set of shocks. This set has 53K of towing mileage. Are Bilstein series 5100 shocks what you would buy?

[ARoamer]

FWIW, I'd start with the new shocks. The Bilsteins seem to be popular. I had air bags on an older truck and didn't notice much bounce, but I had terrible chucking, air bags inflated or deflated. A Mor Ryde pinbox pretty much cured that issue.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ml#post1076715

[Randyman69357]

Are you sure you need 80psi? Seems awful high for your trailer. I went to Goodyears website for their weight and psi recommendation, and on my fiver I run 75psi and I would think I’m heavier than you are by far. Check that out and see if you can lower your pressures some to improve ride quality.

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by Randyman69357

Are you sure you need 80psi? Seems awful high for your trailer. ...

I agree with this.

To the OP, did you have 75PSI in the bags in your first pic? It looks like your not even quite level, possibly lower.

We had a Montana 3741FK that we pulled with our 2002 Chevy 2500HD, WITH bags, and at about 40PSI or so, we were level. That unit had a pin weight of 2850 pounds. We actually pulled it home WITHOUT airbags, and it was fine, but we were really close to the bump stops, and hitting them on bumps and potholes.

I couldn't find the published pin weight on an HT 24.6, but even a 27RL is only 1610. We were almost twice that, and needed half as much air. So, 80PSI seems really really high for your unit.

I can't believe that you would even need airbags or ANY assistance device to pull that unit with your truck. I don't know what the payload is on that truck, but I would think that 1700 is no where's close to maxing it out. It could actually be possible that you had TOO much air in there, and that was causing more bounce.

As for the comment about shocks, I would start there. If you still have the original GM shocks, they are not all that great. The Bilstiens are popular, and a decent shock. I would also try new shocks, and lower pressure BEFORE I ditched the air ride.

Good luck with your issues, and I hope that you get them resolved...

[MtnGoat]

Thanks for your input. The trailer tires are at 80psi. I tried 70 without success. The airbags are worthless at 15psi or 50. Anything over 30 raised the truck rear loosing the rig level. Most of the run they were just deflated to 5psi.



Pin weight calculator https://www.fifthwheelmagazine.com/new-tow-calc.aspx
Pin weight https://www.etrailer.com/question-276236.html


I gotta get back to the scales. . .

[Randyman69357]

My friend has a 2015 Eagle 27.5 HT and he has the Goodyear endurance tires and they show Max. Cold inflation at 65psi. I’m thinking yours could run around 50-55. After you weigh it by itself then you’ll know better what Goodyear recommends for weight

[Cincinnati Kid]

I've had very good luck with airbags on the truck. About 50 pounds takes away 90% of problems. Before airbags, there would be some really hectic bouncing at times. After airbags, tricky bridge transition will get us every now and then, but mostly smooth sailing.

It does raise the front of the trailer a little, but the point is to take the sag out of the truck springs, and supplement them.
The problem with nose-high trailers is that the trucks rails are ridiculously high. So my trailer rides high, but it rides smooth. Jayco says the newer 5th wheels are higher.
I'm curious about problems reported on the forum with airbags. I searched and can't find any. They do the job for us.

[eow]

I suspect your pin weight Is to low. Fill your freshwater tank to 1/3 full and fill your air bags to 15 psi for your ride quality to improve.

Observation, with the equalizer on your trailer axles and if close to level, the trailer’s front and rear loading should be equal.

[Bigdog]

What type of hitch do you have and is it adjustable?

Look for the thread “Nose High and Bouncy”. I’ve got a B&W and was able to lower the hitch 1 inch and move it forward 2 inches.

Those minor adjustments made all the difference in the world.

[MtnGoat]

Truck and trailer are level.





The Reese basket/box and blankets and two folding chairs, total 100lbs



Pin center is on axle centerline.

[cadman_ks]

I'm a SuperGlide fanboy, as we used one with no issues. But when we got our 2020 Chevy HD, we no longer needed it.

One bad thing about the PullRite SuperGlide is that there always feels like there's a lot of chucking in those, and then with the MorRyde pin box, I wonder if you don't have a weird combination going on there that is causing some of your issues?

What is the distance between the top of you bed and bottom of the overhang? That looks close too...

[MtnGoat]

Originally Posted by cadman_ks

... and then with the MorRyde pin box, I wonder if you don't have a weird combination going on there that is causing some of your issues? What is the distance between the top of you bed and bottom of the overhang? That looks close too...

I'll keep that hitch combination in mind. The bed gap is 4-5". I figured if I kept the rig level, the rest would fall into place. Ha!

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by MtnGoat

I'll keep that hitch combination in mind. The bed gap is 4-5". I figured if I kept the rig level, the rest would fall into place. Ha!

4 is on the shirt side. We have like 5.5 on our Pinnacle, and it is still close at times.

I hope that you get it all sorted out...

[Jose2]

I went through this a few years back. I lowered the rear of my Chevy 2500 crew cab short bed truck thinking it was the right thing to do and had the same issue you are having. Our rig a 2017 291RSTS 34' Jayco Eagle 5th wheel would rock nose to tail at every dip and bridge crossing. I put the truck rear back to original, added air bags to 40 psi, carry 1/3 tank water and perfect. I had a Curt slider hitch but found it not needed. I went to a fixed Curt with the articulating head. I can make the sharp turns and have more bed space. It has been a learning experience. I found on ours the Jayco MoRryde hitch sets the rigs nose far enough back It clears fine in our short bed truck.

[goducks]

I'm thinking this might be a solution. Saw two guys at our last CG trip that had these. They looked like they were traveling together since both trucks were optioned very similar. Both were hauling triple axle TH's.
https://genyhitch.com/product/execut...-torsion-flex/

[Jagiven]

Now that I have seen your latest set of pictures, I suspect you need more pin weight and that rear box is reducing your pin weight more than you may suspect.

Bite the bullet and hit the scales and take a full set of measurements, before investing in any upgrades or making any other changes.

[citgodan]

Originally Posted by Randyman69357

My friend has a 2015 Eagle 27.5 HT and he has the Goodyear endurance tires and they show Max. Cold inflation at 65psi. I’m thinking yours could run around 50-55. After you weigh it by itself then you’ll know better what Goodyear recommends for weight

That will all depend on the tire size. My trailer has 16" tires and the Endurance calls for 80 PSI.

The 2015 I would bet was 15".

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by citgodan

That will all depend on the tire size. My trailer has 16" tires and the Endurance calls for 80 PSI.

The 2015 I would bet was 15".

I had 15” Endurance tires on my 2017 HT and it was 80psi on the sticker same at the 16”.

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

...

Bite the bullet and hit the scales and take a full set of measurements, before investing in any upgrades or making any other changes.

This is a solid idea. Then you have a better idea of what you're dealing with...

[Happy wife / happy life]

Have you tried removing the box on the rear bumper? That may or may not cure the problem , but removing it won’t cost you anything. Hitting the scales is a very good idea.