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Post by danrhodes on Nov 21, 2016 19:18:27 GMT -8
So, we took the trailer out for a test drive today and it was pretty bouncy. There wasn't any sway, but a lot of bouncing and hitch banging. The last thing I towed was a 16 foot boat with a 2 ton grand wagoneer, so I'm not sure what to expect in a small truck with a plastic bed and post-recall leaf springs.
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Post by vikx on Nov 21, 2016 23:48:47 GMT -8
Check the tire pressure; might be too high on the trailer. 35 should be fine, maybe 30 ...
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Nov 22, 2016 6:09:15 GMT -8
Also, check the balance of the "load" in the trailer. Towing a light trailer empty can cause a lot of "noise" in the ride. Try putting a few coolers full of beverages inside ahead of the axle and compare.
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Post by danrhodes on Nov 22, 2016 6:11:21 GMT -8
Check the tire pressure; might be too high on the trailer. 35 should be fine, maybe 30 ... Hmmn...they are rated to 50 and Costco put in 45. I was under the impression you wanted them high to minimize sway?
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Post by danrhodes on Nov 22, 2016 6:13:08 GMT -8
Also, check the balance of the "load" in the trailer. Towing a light trailer empty can cause a lot of "noise" in the ride. Try putting a few coolers full of beverages inside ahead of the axle and compare. Probably should have done that, but the tongue is pretty heavy. Was worried about it getting away on my sloped driveway or I would have tried the deadlift scale estimator
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Nov 22, 2016 6:24:08 GMT -8
Maybe your trailer "carport" is acting like a wing... try detaching it before leaving home.
Sorry, I just couldn't help it after seeing the picture.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Nov 22, 2016 6:25:57 GMT -8
My experience only... The 16SC weighs about 2400 empty, and I try to keep tires around 38. I do not experience a lot of bounce empty, because the trailer is heavier. Loaded up, I prefer about 45 PSI, but still notice a smoother ride. I used to pull a pup trailer behind a dump truck. The pup weighed about 5 tons empty, and even that was still bouncy compared to when it was loaded. 45 PSI in yours seems very reasonable to handle a laden weight, but might pound on you a bit when empty.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Nov 22, 2016 6:36:07 GMT -8
Somebody older and wiser once told me that the family (in old times) might ride in the back so the springs are oversized to handle the extra weight. I wonder if that's really true?
I think once you load the camper with gear, cooler, food, etc it may smooth out.
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bullseye17
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Post by bullseye17 on Nov 25, 2016 7:23:33 GMT -8
Be careful in lowering tire pressure on Trailer tires. The load rating is directly tied to the tire pressure. You must have the max pressure in the tire to achieve the load rating on the tire. For example, my tires require 65 psi in order to be able to handle 1660 lbs each (my trailer is probably close to 3,000lbs loaded, so it's very important that tire pressure is correct.
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hairba11
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Post by hairba11 on Nov 30, 2016 19:47:43 GMT -8
I suffered a bouncy jerky trailer tow once. Guy said it was 1-7/8, but the trailer was really 2". Didn't come off the 1-7/8 ball, but felt weird. Another rough tow with 2" coupler on a 2" ball was caused by the ball's nut coming loose on the drawbar. Didn't notice it till I took the hitch out of the receiver and heard a rattle. Another time was using someone else's hitch and I felt popping. His ball and the tongue were really rusty. I wire brushed both and put some grease on and it pulled nice.
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Post by danrhodes on Nov 30, 2016 20:06:11 GMT -8
I suffered a bouncy jerky trailer tow once. Guy said it was 1-7/8, but the trailer was really 2". Didn't come off the 1-7/8 ball, but felt weird. Another rough tow with 2" coupler on a 2" ball was caused by the ball's nut coming loose on the drawbar. Didn't notice it till I took the hitch out of the receiver and heard a rattle. Another time was using someone else's hitch and I felt popping. His ball and the tongue were really rusty. I wire brushed both and put some grease on and it pulled nice. How did you determine the ball size was wrong? Mine came with a 1-7/8" ball for a tiny receiver, but it hadn't been towed in years so it could have been the wrong one
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Nov 30, 2016 21:52:45 GMT -8
I found that adding a cooler to the front of mine helped with the bounce.
I also originally towed mine home with a 7/8" ball, even had it swapped out because the seller told me that was what it took. Got home and read on it it that it took a 2"!
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hairba11
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Post by hairba11 on Dec 1, 2016 3:50:25 GMT -8
It's usually stamped on the tongue if it's not full of paint or ground off or covered by something.
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Dad Rambles
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Post by Dad Rambles on Dec 1, 2016 4:44:22 GMT -8
I had a real issue in my other trailer when I first started towing it. The receiver would bang around on even the smallest bumps in the road. I added a bit of weight to the front of the trailer. I loaded chairs, charcoal, spare tire, and any of the heavy stuff I could find in the front of the trailer. This made a HUGE difference. Now it pulls like a dream and I hardly ever hear the hitch/receiver clatter.
Might also check the tightness of the ball. Not sure if there is adjustment (with it being an older trailer), but I tighten mine to just where it has no play in it. Still loose and moveable, but no chatter. That seems to work well for me.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Dec 1, 2016 8:48:23 GMT -8
So, we took the trailer out for a test drive today and it was pretty bouncy. There wasn't any sway, but a lot of bouncing and hitch banging. The last thing I towed was a 16 foot boat with a 2 ton grand wagoneer, so I'm not sure what to expect in a small truck with a plastic bed and post-recall leaf springs. I think your trailer is unbalanced with too much weight in the rear. That's my educated guess based on what you are reporting. It also looks like your truck bed is empty… meaning nice and light. You have to consider the balance of the entire unit of tow vehicle and trailer. You're really driving a 3 axle vehicle. So, as many point out here, the connection point is indeed important. That's why weight distributors are very valuable; they make the two vehicles into a more integrated unit, which help with a lot of towing problems… But I would start with where your weight and balance is and it would be worth it to go back to the basics on this and reevaluate the whole equation. Check out the "towing" section of this forum; there are a couple of good threads I participated in where you might be able to solve your problem, which would be worth it, 'cuz when you get your rig out on the highway under varied conditions, it'll only get worse not better. I take towing seriously… there are undeniable laws of physics at work that need to be respected. Good news is that you can make all work right. Here's the towing section url: vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/board/49/towing-tow-vehiclesThere's some good advice in there. Stay clear of the opinions and anecdotal stuff… in towing, it's the facts that count.
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