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06-07-2013, 08:39 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 594
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What causes a bouncy ride
I'm pulling a 2011 23fb with a 2011 Toyota Sequoia. I use a basic WD hitch (forget the brand at the moment) with spring bars and my sequoia sits pretty level. This is my only towing experience so I can't compare to anything else. My only issue with this setup is on some sections of concrete paved interstate I get a lot of bounce in the back of the sequoia. It doesn't feel too bad in the front seat but if i look in my mirrors i see my kids are bouncing up and down what seems like a couple times a second. I have overloaded the bed of pickup before which caused some big or long bounces which leads me to believe that isn't the cause of this fast bounce. I've wondered if I need to add airbags in my suspension.......
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or experiences
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06-07-2013, 08:56 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2008 27' Safari FB SE
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,144
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You are not alone. Basically, on some sections of concrete highway, the expansion joints are spaced in such a manner that it sets up a fugoid cycle due to the length of your rig and the way that the weight distribution bars work where the bouncing is self-reinforcing.
Sometimes slowing helps, sometimes speeding up helps but mostly it won't go away until you get off that section of road or the road surface changes.
The Anderson Hitch apparently addresses this problem very effectively but, judging by the raging battles about the Anderson on this Forum, there seem to be some "teething problems" in its present form.
Avoid I-10 between Lafayette, La and Baton Rouge...
Mike
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06-07-2013, 08:58 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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If it's the highway, it's called "porpoising" and it pretty much describes what's going on between your trailer & your tow vehicle! :-D
__________________
Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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06-07-2013, 09:02 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Try to avoid I-20 through Bossier City and Shreveport.
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06-08-2013, 05:10 AM
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#5
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,001
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I usually back down those highways.
As far as air bag additions go, I doubt if they would do anything to stop the bounce, may even make it more like a jolt, and do nothing for weight transfer or payload.
They do go up and down though.
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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06-08-2013, 05:19 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Safari
Fountain Inn
, South Carolina
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony
Try to avoid I-20 through Bossier City and Shreveport.
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Avoid Louisiana completely. Next time go by way of Omaha.
__________________
Bud
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06-08-2013, 06:30 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,744
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An Air Safe hitch would help
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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06-08-2013, 06:34 AM
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#8
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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I-40 Westbound from Little Rock to the state line has to be the bounciest, roughest stretch of Interstate I've ever towed on. It was so bad, the toilet detached from its mount, and ended up by the front door.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-08-2013, 07:00 AM
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#9
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Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lumatic
An Air Safe hitch would help
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This ^^^ and try changing speed. The interstates seem to have a set distance between expansion joints, when they get worn it causes a frequency bounce. I drive a lot of I-95 with different vehicles and each one behaves differently on the same stretch of road. There is one stretch in SC where I can drive 70+ with my sedan, my dually I have to slow down to about 63 with my wife's truck and the Airstream in tow we get off on old 301.
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
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06-08-2013, 07:41 AM
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#10
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TinCan
2016 30' Classic
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 880
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I would have to search the forum but I believe that I read the AirSafe hitches addresses this problems. Pricey hitches however.
__________________
TinCan
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06-08-2013, 08:11 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Wildwood
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,237
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That is one of the reasons we went with the Airsafe hitch. If you are feeling it, your trailer is definitely feeling it. The condition is compounded by larger vehicles with heavy spring. We love ours and it has taken a lot of unpleasantness out of towing!
__________________
Dave and Felicia
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06-08-2013, 08:32 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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In my opinion the Andersen WD system does an excelant job of controlling bounce on Louisiana's crappy highways. At least as much as any other system at much less cost. With my trailer/TV combination the differance with and without is night and day.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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06-08-2013, 08:57 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Excella
Bowie
, Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,346
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I'll mention it, although it sounds like you already have it set up correctly - if your hitch is of the style that uses lifter bars (Reese, for example), and you don't have the lifter bars pulling enough weight, you'll get porpoising. I had one pretty bad situation with it, but adjusting the bars by reducing the number of chain links between the bar and the bracket cleaned it up.
__________________
1991 Airstream B190
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel
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06-08-2013, 11:56 AM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
Palomar Mountain
, California
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 355
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Make sure your shocks are up to the job. Sometimes changing to a different weight will help - the shocks that come with a SUV are not meant for heavy tow loads with weight distribution hitches. It will not eliminate the bounce but help to reduce it.
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06-08-2013, 12:19 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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I'm still learning, have used the Equal-I-Zer, Andersen, and now ProPride with 1400# bars. My recommendation is to get a hitch with enough weight distribution capability to properly distribute the tongue weight of your trailer.
The first two hitches were too stiff a connection, the Andersen showed signs of damaging the trailer (elongated bracket mounting holes in the frame and a front banana wrap torn loose from its rivet). The new one with 1400# bars distributes the weight I need and still have very good flexibility with my trailer tongue weight.
With 2,000 miles on the 1400# tapered hitch bars, the ride is very good without the stiff connection.
doug k
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06-09-2013, 06:41 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridgerunner3
Avoid Louisiana completely. Next time go by way of Omaha.
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In your Chevy with peace signs, mag wheels, and four on the floor...
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06-09-2013, 07:22 AM
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#17
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3 Rivet Member
2003 25' Safari
Riverside
, California
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 234
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I have changed my rear springs to a progressive design and have King 3" custom valved shocks.I have no porpoising while towing and a very comfortable ride on our less than optimum road surfaces here in California.
__________________
2003 25' Safari
2005 Ram 2500 4x4
1994 Ram 2500 4x4
2015 Toyota Tacoma trd 4x4
2000 Jeep Wrangler 4x4
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