Trailer bounce

[jamaddox]

I have noticed sometimes when I hit a bump the trailer comes up a little like it is going to come off the ball. Is that normal or what can I do to fix it? In addition to this I notified a have a little sway on the bumps. The last time I had it in for service the tech adjusted the bars on my equalizer because my new F250 did not need as much pressure as my old F150 did. Would that be a consideration? Finally I also was using the jackets which cut down on the noise but I will probably not use them again because of the small amount of sway I picked up.

Any suggestions?

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

Sounds like you may not have enough tung weight. Is the trailer pitched up, meaning your hitch is too high?

When I went from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 I needed to run the ball height down to the bottom hole because my 3/4 sat higher. I also needed to lessen the bar tension as you did. One... to help it squat a little better and two... they just seemed tighter than they needed to be. Lowering the ball like I did caused more tension on the bars, so needed to lower on that end too.

[jamaddox]

It is level when it sits. I adjusted the hitch myself after we bought the truck (it’s been about two years). I had to flip the WDH and then put it in the bottom hole and then had them check it. I also later bought a bigger shank for the WDH and I think they set it up identical

I will have to weigh the tongue but my pass through is full so I can’t put more weight there. The only difference is that when I take it in for service there are no clothes in the front bedroom

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

You have almost the exact floor plan as ours. Honestly haven’t towed ours much since we got the 3/4 ton, but did quite a few trips with the 1/2 ton. I never experienced a feeling the hitch was being forced up other than some porpoising on bridges. When the big rigs pass me on the highway I feel it trying to pull the trailer over a bit, but much better when towing with a 3/4 ton.

I guess I’m not really sure why you have the feeling the tung is getting un-weighted. With this layout I try to have as little weight in the back of the trailer as possible.

[jamaddox]

Actually the porpoising is what I am referring to. It just seems wrong and Moreno than usual. But maybe it was just the road. The state has managed to screw up that section of I65N

[Riverman]

What's the exact tongue weight?
How much air are in the tires?
How much water do you carry in the rear tank?

[jamaddox]

Originally Posted by Riverman

What's the exact tongue weight?
How much air are in the tires?
How much water do you carry in the rear tank?

Don’t know the tongue weight but it would have varied because the trailer was only going for service and was not loaded out.

Tires varied but max psi was 60 on one. I was over I know.

I don’t carry water in my tanks.

[Rustic Eagle]

jamaddox,

I would recommend taking your TV/TT combination to a CAT scale for a weigh-in under loaded conditions (full fuel, passengers, cargo, etc.). The CAT results will confirm all your weights, loaded tongue weight, proper weight distribution, and also confirm that your WDH adjustment is dialed-in.

The CAT results will insure that during less than ideal TV/TT towing conditions (pot holes, wind, sudden maneuvers, etc.) that your TV and TT handling characteristics are optimized.

CAT Scale how-to: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...v-tt-3871.html

Bob

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

Porpoising is quite normal with a tow behind. Lots of folks talk about miracle hitches, but in a tow behind configuration it is going to happen to varying degrees no matter what. Basically you are hinged in the middle and when you go over curved bumps it is going to have this behavior. You can crank on the weight distribution bars, but you will end up with a very harsh ride. Anyone who has driven through Shiprock on the way to Durango Co. knows what I’m talking about.

[mikegray]

Maybe wrong size hitch ball???? I had that happen to me the first time out.
Mike

[RogerR]

My Andersen Hitch info sheet states that the urethane pucks reduce or eliminate bounce. Since I got it 3 years ago I have never had a bounce situation.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by RogerR

My Andersen Hitch info sheet states that the urethane pucks reduce or eliminate bounce. Since I got it 3 years ago I have never had a bounce situation.

Agreed. The Anderson does an excellent job of eliminating bounce. I haven't experienced it since I've started using this hitch either.

[jamaddox]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

Agreed. The Anderson does an excellent job of eliminating bounce. I haven't experienced it since I've started using this hitch either.

I will probably get an Anderson later. My hitch was already 500 + 150 to change out the bar when my hitch size changed so I can’t justify an Anderson yet

[venoran]

A set of Bilstein 5100 rear shocks helped quiet down rear end bounce in my F150. I would get quite a bit of porpoising over some bad road and expansion joints, and my wife didn't like it.

Replaced my stock shocks and now my wife approves of the better ride over rough roads. Not totally gone, but much better.

[jamaddox]

Originally Posted by venoran

A set of Bilstein 5100 rear shocks helped quiet down rear end bounce in my F150. I would get quite a bit of porpoising over some bad road and expansion joints, and my wife didn't like it.



Replaced my stock shocks and now my wife approves of the better ride over rough roads. Not totally gone, but much better.

My new F250 has the Rancho shocks. Not sure if those are supposed to have the ability to be dialed in or not. The rancho shocks are supposed to be expensive so not sure I won’t to upgrade now but I will keep that in mind when time for replacement

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by jamaddox

My new F250 has the Rancho shocks. Not sure if those are supposed to have the ability to be dialed in or not. The rancho shocks are supposed to be expensive so not sure I won’t to upgrade now but I will keep that in mind when time for replacement

John, we have the same truck. Apparently the stock Rancho shocks are junk but Rancho does make good shocks. I'm going to replace my stock shocks with the Rancho 5000x shocks. Great reviews and performance and not too pricey. Part #'s are RS55042 and RS 55047A.

RS5000™X Shock Absorbers - Rancho® Performance Suspension & Shocks

[87Yugo]

Originally Posted by Riverman

What's the exact tongue weight?
How much air are in the tires?
How much water do you carry in the rear tank?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Dgxe584Ss

[Riverman]

There you go...

[87Yugo]

Originally Posted by jamaddox

My new F250 has the Rancho shocks. Not sure if those are supposed to have the ability to be dialed in or not. The rancho shocks are supposed to be expensive so not sure I won’t to upgrade now but I will keep that in mind when time for replacement

My truck came with stock Ranchos and they were junk. They could not keep up with the rebound. My wife was complaining more than me, fiqures lol. so i replaced with Bilstien 5100, problem solved and it rides alot better.

[jamaddox]

Originally Posted by Riverman

There you go...

Thanks. I was mainly asking about if my bounce was due to the face that my sway bars were readjusted by the dealer or maybe there was something else going on. The only sway I had was a little micro sway that may not have been alleviated by the jackets on my equalizer bars. My previous trips for over the past 5 years have not included those and my trailer and truck have been rock solid. I did notice that I seemed to have more bounce than usual and was wondering if I needed to readjust the bars, if it was just made more present by the bad road I was on, or the fact I had three less people in my truck.