Rough ride while towing. Long

[sangell]

Rough ride while towing.

I got my 03 3500 DRW 6spd about three weeks ago. Other than the little (3000 lbs) trailer I tow for work it has not towed any thing. Yesterday (Sat) I towed my car hauler, a little info on the trailer, bumper pull, 20' long, steel beck, 10,400GVW, a slipper spring set up, 7. 50x 16 bias load E trailer tires aired to 65psi with a 75psi max, brakes on both axles, empty weight about 2500lbs. This trailer is made by PJ and is sold as a equipment trailer. I drove about 100 miles empty and the ride was worse than it was with the same trailer behind the 02 2500 6spd I traded in. I just figured it was due to no weight on the trailer. Well when we got the Ford loaded and headed home the ride was worse than empty. The ride was very jerky, The tile of the 55 Ford says the curb weight is 3500lbs so I am guessing the truck is closer to 4000lbs. My normal load on this trailer is about 7500lbs which I have not towed yet with this truck. When I got home I removed the fourth and sixth springs from the top down, in the trailer spring packs. I was informed by the dealer that they were 6000lbs per axle springs, true or not I don't know. I then loaded up a Jeep that weights about 4000lbs or so and went for a drive. It was better but I am still looking to do more since most of the hauls with this trailer are long.



Any Ideas?



I was thinking about a set of Bilstiens for the truck.

Thank you for your help.



Scott

 

[Ray Torresdal]

rough ride

Trade the bumper hitch for a gooseneck??? Once you tow a gooseneck, or 5th wheel, you will never be content pulling a bumper hitch trailer!



ray

 

[HBarlow]

You might want to try an equalizing hitch with spring bars if you pull that trailer a lot as you said. The bars are probably not needed with your 3500 for weight control but they seem to cushion the shock transmitted from the trailer when the trailer wheels strike bumps or rough surfaces.



When I pull my 8500-9000# Avion using a weight equalizing hitch set up, it is smooth and comfortable. When I pull my flat bed utility trailer rated at 7000# GVWR and weighing about 2200# around empty or lightly loaded, without spring bars, it transmits a lot of shock back to the truck.



I suspect the suspension is more sophisticated and better matched to the load on my Avion than on the utility trailer but the suspensions are similar in design. The primary difference is spring bars on the TT and no bars on the flat bed.



Harvey

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I would have to agree with HBarlow, Last summer I made four trips with a 20+ foot equipment trailer (owner said it weighs 3000 pound empty) each about 425 miles, two of the trips were with an empty trailer. When I started out I didn't bother with the torsion bars because I didn't think I needed them, the trailer was empty, but it bucked like mad. It was kind of surprising because I had towed my 26ft camper without the torsion bars and it was smooth. So I put the torsion bars on and it made a world of difference.

 

[Matt42]

Originally posted by HBarlow

You might want to try an equalizing hitch with spring bars if you pull that trailer a lot as you said. The bars are probably not needed with your 3500 for weight control but they seem to cushion the shock transmitted from the trailer when the trailer wheels strike bumps or rough surfaces.



Harvey

This is also my experience. Also, an unloaded utility trailer with heavy suspension, as you describe, will "dance" more than a loaded one. It's the same reason that a 200 ton Cat ore hauler rides like a Cadillac when full, but is a backbreaker empty.

 

[sangell]

Thank you to all that replied. I just got done installing the WD set up and will tow with it this weekend.



Again, Thank you all



Scott

 

[BWilson]

I have two more ideas for you that might help. The biggest help I've found towing bumber pulls is a cushioned hitch. I bought the kind that has the spring rubber all around where the pin goes through to hold it into the receiver. It doesn't cost much and installation is as simple as changing the ball. It works great!!! I've had for about two years now and can't say enough good things about it. The other option would be some velvet ride shackles. They take a lot bouce out of the rear end.



Hope this helps.