Truck Hopping??

[barkerdl]

Found the first thing not to like about my 03! At 65-70 MPH on the local freeway the truck hops up and down enough to splash coffee out of a covered mug. Anybody else have this problem? Solutions?? Just does this on a certain part of the freeway - not anywhere else on my commute.



Dennis

 

[Trizae]

air the tires down from the 80psi it recommend on the door to about 55 or 60

 

[JohnCooper]

Yes, I solved the problem with the coffee. First I put napkins around the bottom of the cup holder. Then when the bouncing gets bad, I pick up the cup and try to hold it steady

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Speed up or slow down. There is a section of freeway near here where my truck gets to bouncing if I'm in a 5 mph window - faster or slower and it smooths right out. I bet it's a concrete freeway isn't it?

 

[sag2]

If you are not running loaded you can set the fronts at 50 PSI and the rear at 40 PSI. Just be sure and air them up if you add any significant weight. I keep 3 50# bags of water softener salt all the way back. It makes a world of difference. Actually rides better than my two 02 1500's. There are certain stretches of concrete that really can set it off. 10 years ago, you would have said, "what the H&*^, it's a truck! Guess expectations have changed, good thing I haven't!

 

[Moterhead]

Originally posted by sag2

If you are not running loaded you can set the fronts at 50 PSI and the rear at 40 PSI. Just be sure and air them up if you add any significant weight. I keep 3 50# bags of water softener salt all the way back. It makes a world of difference. Actually rides better than my two 02 1500's. There are certain stretches of concrete that really can set it off. 10 years ago, you would have said, "what the H&*^, it's a truck! Guess expectations have changed, good thing I haven't!

You might think about using sand rather than ws salt. If a bag of salt happens to split, you'll have that highly corrosive stuff all over your bed, tailgate bottom, etc.

 

[barkerdl]

Hopalong Ramity

The tire pressure may be a partial cause - I'm running 60 front and 70 rear because I tow a fifth-wheel. Will try lowering the pressure. PITA to change pressures for towing vs. not towing.



Solved the coffee problem - inhaled the coffee - HOT! - use ice cubes next time.



Speed is definitely a factor, unfortunately the traffic is running about 65-75 bumper to bumper and I don't like to go much faster or slower than the flow - all alternate routes triple the commute time. Some lanes are better than others.



Yes, definitely a concrete highway.



A bit of weight in the bed may change the harmonic motion just enough to stop the problem. Will experiment - can use some lead shot I've been storing in the garage.



I could give up and drive my car - NOT! Ooops - wife made me leave the truck home today so she could drive it. Then had to call me on the cell phone from a store parking lot to ask how to start it. For all you blondes - shift lever on automatic must be in PARK to start. Nooo, reverse is not close enough! Lucky it did not roll away and squash a bug.



If I come up with a good solution I will post, in the meantime just grinning and hopping - with coffee in hand, not in cup holder.



Dennis

 

[JRMora]

There is one 2 mile stretch of highway in town that I must drive everyday that makes my truck buck like a prize bronco. 60-65 down the highway and I look like Lee Marvin in "Cat Ballou"!. 67 and it's smooth as silk.



Another example of perfect harmonics in action!