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steilkurve · 11-13-2023, 04:59 PM

Ok. I promise. This isn't another TV thread. I know how ugly these get. ;-) No, I'm trying to understand what makes my rig so wobbly over bumps and potholes. What I got:

-RAM 2500 Cummins (just coils no air suspension)
-2022 Globetrotter 25FB with two ACs
-Tongue weight is 975#
-Trailer tires are at 65 PSI
-BlueOX Sway Pro with 1000 bars at the 9th link

I did move my batteries inside under the bed and added 3, plus a beefier inverter which likely added 200# in total there but that also removed 60# from the battery box on the tongue. And the tongue weight barely changed after the upgrade.

My right is super stable on smooth roads. I love it then.

On bumps and potholes, it bounces a lot. I love it much less in those instances.

I'm attributing popped rivets and stuff coming to loose to the bouncing.

Went from Equalizer to BlueOX thinking a less rigid hitch would transfer less of that to the trailer. It helped as movement of one seems to affect the other less but the truck still bounces and transfers it to the trailer on big bumps and potholes.

What is the biggest culprit more likely?

-The truck
-Too much weight at the front of the trailer

If the truck, what is folks' experience with stiffer shocks (like Bilsteins) and LT tires (over the OEM Transforce ATs). Makes a difference in stability over bumps and potholes?

Thanks all!

Gibson3798 · 11-13-2023, 05:01 PM

Wobbles....? Define what you're experiencing please.

steilkurve · 11-13-2023, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibson3798

Wobbles....? Define what you're experiencing please.

Sorry. Better way to describe it is bouncing. Changed the word in my original post. The truck bounces too much (IMO) over bumps and potholes.

Bobbo · 11-13-2023, 08:02 PM

Are you talking about porpoising?

goldenchase · 11-13-2023, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbo

Are you talking about porpoising?

Sounds like it to me and pretty classic for the Blue OX WDH.

When I changed from the Blue Ox WDH to the B&W Continuum WDH, no more porpoising.

steilkurve · 11-13-2023, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbo

Are you talking about porpoising?

Yep. I am. The truck bounces on its suspension when going over big bumps and potholes.

steilkurve · 11-13-2023, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenchase

Sounds like it to me and pretty classic for the Blue OX WDH.

When I changed from the Blue Ox WDH to the B&W Continuum WDH, no more porpoising.

Well, I had the issue with the Equalizer. Cannot say it’s new since BlueOx.

Gibson3798 · 11-13-2023, 08:29 PM

I have always had the Blue Ox set up (in the 8th link, FWIW) you have and the same 2500 Ram. I've never had that experience.

I run with a higher trailer tire PSI than you.

steilkurve · 11-13-2023, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibson3798

I have always had the Blue Ox set up (in the 8th link, FWIW) you have and the same 2500 Ram. I've never had that experience.

I run with a higher trailer tire PSI than you.

Interesting. A 28 International would be rear bed correct? Your actual tongue weight is likely lower than mine. Mine’s a front bed. And I’ve added weight on top of that with the batteries. Your trailer could be more balanced. Don’t know. Just speculating.

**richard5933** · 11-13-2023, 09:59 PM

Don't see where you mention the year on the truck. Could it be that your truck's shocks are not up to the task?

steilkurve · 11-14-2023, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

Don't see where you mention the year on the truck. Could it be that your truck's shocks are not up to the task?

It’s a 2021. It can handle the weight for sure. Barely squats when I lash it up. It’s really the handling over rougher roads that I’m trying to improve.

rbs · 11-14-2023, 06:20 AM

slow down or avoid them, rough roads are just that, rough on everything

JJTX · 11-14-2023, 06:45 AM

2500 Frames are a more rough ride while towing.

What your describing is perfectly normal as far as I can tell.

GettinAway · 11-14-2023, 06:57 AM

I have a 25’ FB twin, and I use the blue ox Swaypro. I had the porpoising you’re describing. I beefed up my rear suspension with a Roadmaster Active Suspension and swapped the factory shocks for Bilsteins. Problem 90% solved. I can still feel it some on a very bad sectioned concrete highway, but it’s not much worse than when I’m not towing.
I do pull with a half ton, but I think the problem isn’t payload or hitch related. I think it’s manufacturers wanting a more car like ride from a truck. Just my opinion, of course.

steilkurve · 11-14-2023, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbs

slow down or avoid them, rough roads are just that, rough on everything

For sure slower speeds help but this isn’t the cause here I think. Even when I drive below the speed limit, on an unavoidable bump like a bad expansion joint, it bounces beyond normal IMO.

dznf0g · 11-14-2023, 07:21 AM

Although I have a Chevy 1500, the suggestion of a better shock is not a bad idea. Although probably not a total cure, I think a set of Bilsteins would help your overall handling. I put 5100s on the rear and 4600s on the front and noted a considerable difference. however, I had some miles on the old ones. about 50k when the rears were replaced and 85k when the fronts were replaced.

If you go that route, gain some suggestions on model # for your particular truck.

Gibson3798 · 11-14-2023, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steilkurve

Interesting. A 28 International would be rear bed correct? Your actual tongue weight is likely lower than mine. Mine’s a front bed. And I’ve added weight on top of that with the batteries. Your trailer could be more balanced. Don’t know. Just speculating.

Mine is a rear bed, so you could have a point there.

My International rides rock solid with never a hint of what you encounter. Try upping your PSI in those tires, it can't hurt.

Andy543 · 11-14-2023, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steilkurve

Sorry. Better way to describe it is bouncing. Changed the word in my original post. The truck bounces too much (IMO) over bumps and potholes.

Your bouncing is most likely coming from the WD hitch. When you install a WD hitch it introduces a spring into the system. This spring, unlike the springs on your truck, does not come with a shock absorber. Once it starts bouncing it keeps on going. Try removing the WD hitch and see how it behaves. Your truck is big enough that it doesn't need a wd hitch.

steilkurve · 11-14-2023, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibson3798

Mine is a rear bed, so you could have a point there.

My International rides rock solid with never a hint of what you encounter. Try upping your PSI in those tires, it can't hurt.

Thanks. I did ride at 80 PSI for a while. After reading several posts here on the forums, I brought them down to 65. My impression is that it has helped stabilize the trailer and has reduced the wear and tear inside. Wouldn’t lower PSI lower make it less bouncy?

steilkurve · 11-14-2023, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy543

Your bouncing is most likely coming from the WD hitch. When you install a WD hitch it introduces a spring into the system. This spring, unlike the springs on your truck, does not come with a shock absorber. Once it starts bouncing it keeps on going. Try removing the WD hitch and see how it behaves. Your truck is big enough that it doesn't need a wd hitch.

Yep. Towed without. It’s not better. My TW is heavy enough that the weight off the front wheels is making it even less stable.

A question. My front axle unloaded weight is about 5K. With the trailer on but with no WD, I get the front at roughly 4600. With WD, I achieve about 4800. Should try and transfer even more weight forward?