Trailer bouncing Truck

[Mpoland]

Folks,

I run into a "bucking" problem when going down a concrete Highway. The ridges in the road sets up a resonant bucking between the trailer and the truck. I pull a Prowler 31G LS, using a Reese Dual Cam hitch.



To my understanding, there seems to be three ways to address this problem.

1. ) New and improved shocks on the truck, i. e. Bilstein #1907,

2. ) Shocks on the Trailer, or

3. ) Air ride type of hitch.



Does anyone have experience with this problem? Any suggestion as to which would be the most effective?



Thanks for any help.

 

[roadranger]

I had this same problem pulling an 8000 lb utility trailer. This was accidentally cured with the installation of Rancho 9000 shocks for a slide in camper. Now there is no more bucking towing the trailer with or without the camper on the truck.

 

[Lurch]

Shifting the wieght around on the trailer often helps this too. However this isn't allways an option. No hard and fast rules, just have to experiment.



Lurch

 

['956Wheel]

I find "heavy on the tongue" works wonders. I have a utility trailer and you can load it accordingly. The TT is a buger cause the tanks are towards the rear, we wait till the last possibility to fill the fresh tank, doesn't have to be great water as we use bottled for coffee and such.



Mike

 

[Mpoland]

Roadranger,

It's good news that you fixed the problem by changing out your shocks. I know nothig about shocks, but I've heard the Rancho name mentioned before.



As far as loading the trailer, I believe that I pay close attention as to how my trailer is loaded. I only carry enough water to flush the Head on the road. Although I do have a loaded bike rack on the tail end.



Thanks for the information... .



Just a thought; I question the value of shocks on the trailer... . otherwise, it would be a better selling point for the manufactures. The frame and axle is set up for shocks, without coming with the shocks. A another point is that putting shocks on the trailer is the cheapest fix... . about $120. 00



With my history, however the cheapest way is never quite enough!

 

[time1]

I had a similar problem pulling a small 5th wheel this last summer. Happened on and off all the way across Nebraska and Iowa on Interstate 80. Depended on the road surface. When I got home I took off the rear Rancho 9000 shocks and found that the adjustment feature on one of the shocks was non existant. In effect I had one shock on the "5" setting and the other one "0" setting. Replaced the shocks and all is OK again.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

weight

Better shocks will greatly help. It seems there is a certain weight point that will cause the truck to bounce on the overloads, if you have them. At that point, adding a more weight will help.