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05-31-2015, 05:44 PM
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#1
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Member
Name: kyle
Trailer: 1980 Fiber Stream
California
Posts: 47
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Smoothing out my bumpy ride
I know this has been discussed ad infinitum but I thought I'd post the question one more time. How can I smooth out my bumpy, jerky ride?
I'm towing a 1980 Fiberstream with my 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited with tow package (rated for 4500#).
On smooth road the ride is ok. On road where there is any bump (which is most roads) the ride is bumpy and jerky. More than I think is necessary.
A couple of things...
In order to get sufficient drop from my hitch to get the trailer level I am using a Reese adjustable draw bar drop hitch at it's longest (lowest) setting. It means there is play at 2 points in the hitch which, I think, is contributing to the jerky ride. A fixed drop might improve this, yes?
As best I can tell, the springs and one axle are original 1980. The other axle is new within the past 5 years. Springs don't look saggy and both axles were recently serviced. I have read a little about adding shocks. Any other suggestions on what I might look at? What is a reasonable expectation on how smooth my towing experience should be?
Thanks
Kyle
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05-31-2015, 05:50 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: Wayne
Trailer: Airstream Sold, Nest Fan
Ontario
Posts: 2,002
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Quality shocks on car and trailer.
Tires on the Jeep? There many be other options that will give you a better ride and performance.
Hoping you are using a WDH. Easy Lift brand is gentle on the TV.
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05-31-2015, 07:02 PM
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#3
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Member
Name: kyle
Trailer: 1980 Fiber Stream
California
Posts: 47
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Hi MC1,
The Jeep is stock (tires and suspension), no shocks on the trailer. As mentioned, factory tow package. No WDH. I've begun reading a bit about them. The GVRW of the Jeep is 5500#. In theory, the dry weight of the trailer is 1600#. I haven't weighed it yet but I'm guessing it might be around 2500. No idea what the tongue weight is. Tow vehicle appears to bear the weight reasonably well.
A properly rated WDH might help, I guess...
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05-31-2015, 07:07 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Wayne
Trailer: Airstream Sold, Nest Fan
Ontario
Posts: 2,002
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Hi Kyle.. Is it possible to post a pic of you Jeep/trailer. A picture is worth a 1,000 words.
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05-31-2015, 07:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: '04 Scamp 19D, TV:Tacoma 3.5L 4door, SB
Colorado
Posts: 1,845
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Trailer tire inflation has an effect on the quality of ride, make sure it is correct. The first time I towed my Scamp, the tires were about 32 psi, which was way too low, and the ride was pretty rough. The prescribed pressure is 45 psi (cold) and that made my second trip much, much better. I even started researching the shock absorbing hitches, but then concluded that those things are not really necessary.
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05-31-2015, 07:43 PM
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#6
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Member
Name: kyle
Trailer: 1980 Fiber Stream
California
Posts: 47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MC1
Hi Kyle.. Is it possible to post a pic of you Jeep/trailer. A picture is worth a 1,000 words.
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I don't have a good profile shot and the trailer is parked elsewhere. I'll try to post something tomorrow, thanks.
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05-31-2015, 07:48 PM
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#7
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Member
Name: kyle
Trailer: 1980 Fiber Stream
California
Posts: 47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul O.
Trailer tire inflation has an effect on the quality of ride, make sure it is correct. The first time I towed my Scamp, the tires were about 32 psi, which was way too low, and the ride was pretty rough. The prescribed pressure is 45 psi (cold) and that made my second trip much, much better. I even started researching the shock absorbing hitches, but then concluded that those things are not really necessary.
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When I first picked up the trailer the tires were soft and the ride was really terrible. The tires are actually rated for 90 PSI (I think). They are wee 12" tires. Seems I could only get about 70PSI out of the compressor I used to top them up. I should check where they are at now. They look firm but might still be relatively soft.
Thanks.
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05-31-2015, 08:27 PM
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#8
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Commercial Member
Name: Charlie Y
Trailer: Escape 21 - Felicity
Oregon
Posts: 1,583
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70 psi seems way too high for a 2000 lb trailer. I'd drop to 60, then 55, then 50 and see how it rides.
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05-31-2015, 09:15 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Doug
Trailer: Trillium
California
Posts: 246
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Smoothing out my bumpy ride
I wonder if your drop hitch is twisting because you have set it to the lowest position. If the pull from the hitch is not horizontally in line with the receiver then tow or brake force can translate to twist. Any elasticity in the drop bar or receiver could cause the jerkiness. You might try raising the drop hitch even temporarily and see if the jurkeyness goes away. Just a thought.
Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV
Doug L
__________________
Doug
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05-31-2015, 10:00 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Emily
Trailer: 2005 Scamp 16
Colorado
Posts: 505
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I saw this on Amazon and bought one for our hitch. We used it towing the Scamp from New Mexico to Denver without a single problem, but in bringing it from storage to the house this past weekend, we didn't put it on and it felt like the Scamp was bumping and banging around behind us. In reality it was the hitch making noise and allowing play. Put this gizmo back on the hitch to return it to storage, and it was once again a smooth, quiet ride. Might be worth a try as well.
Amazon.com: Roadmaster 061 Quiet Hitch: Automotive
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05-31-2015, 10:25 PM
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#11
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Member
Name: kyle
Trailer: 1980 Fiber Stream
California
Posts: 47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
70 psi seems way too high for a 2000 lb trailer. I'd drop to 60, then 55, then 50 and see how it rides.
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They are C Load tires rated to 990lbs at 90 PSI. From what I have read, tires should be inflated to their max. That said, I don't know if they are the right tires for the trailer.
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05-31-2015, 10:29 PM
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#12
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Member
Name: kyle
Trailer: 1980 Fiber Stream
California
Posts: 47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dleverton
I wonder if your drop hitch is twisting because you have set it to the lowest position. If the pull from the hitch is not horizontally in line with the receiver then tow or brake force can translate to twist. Any elasticity in the drop bar or receiver could cause the jerkiness. You might try raising the drop hitch even temporarily and see if the jurkeyness goes away. Just a thought.
Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV
Doug L
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I do think the sloppy adjustable drop hitch is a big factor. There is a lot of play in it. It's the $40 version, not the $200 one. Next step is to find a solid 6-7" drop. Hoping that will make difference.
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05-31-2015, 10:30 PM
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#13
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Member
Name: kyle
Trailer: 1980 Fiber Stream
California
Posts: 47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emij
I saw this on Amazon and bought one for our hitch. We used it towing the Scamp from New Mexico to Denver without a single problem, but in bringing it from storage to the house this past weekend, we didn't put it on and it felt like the Scamp was bumping and banging around behind us. In reality it was the hitch making noise and allowing play. Put this gizmo back on the hitch to return it to storage, and it was once again a smooth, quiet ride. Might be worth a try as well.
Amazon.com: Roadmaster 061 Quiet Hitch: Automotive
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Thanks for this. I'll do a little investigating.
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05-31-2015, 10:51 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Dave
Trailer: Casita SD17 2006 "Missing Link"
California
Posts: 3,738
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KSM
They are C Load tires rated to 990lbs at 90 PSI. From what I have read, tires should be inflated to their max. That said, I don't know if they are the right tires for the trailer.
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Wow, a 12" tire, 990lbs and 90#s. Sure you're reading the numbers right? I'm not in the tire industry but have never heard of a C range tire with those numbers.
BTW, the solid drop stinger you need are available. Also, they also make balls with a 1" taller shank to get it closer. Check out E trailer for info.
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06-01-2015, 04:47 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: Wayne
Trailer: Airstream Sold, Nest Fan
Ontario
Posts: 2,002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KSM
When I first picked up the trailer the tires were soft and the ride was really terrible. The tires are actually rated for 90 PSI (I think). They are wee 12" tires. Seems I could only get about 70PSI out of the compressor I used to top them up. I should check where they are at now. They look firm but might still be relatively soft.
Thanks.
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We use 38lbs in the tires on our trailer and the ride is creme de creme. Most folks find that the higher the pressure, the rougher the ride gets.
Shocks installed on the trailer will make a huge difference.
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06-01-2015, 05:30 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 721
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I have a "Hitch vice" to take the play out of my receiver and stinger.
http://www.hitchrider.com/nowobble.htm
I've only found it online.
Joe
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06-01-2015, 05:39 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Carl
Trailer: 2014 16 scamp side dinette/Rav4 V6 Tow pkg.
Pennsylvania
Posts: 578
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KSM
Thanks for this. I'll do a little investigating.
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Had the same 2 part hitch on my rav4, but have it at a rise instead as a drop. Made a heck of a lot of noise but not a bumpy ride. Got a one piece cushion hitch and a 1" rise ball to get my height, also the anti rattle bracket as shown above in the photo. Helped a lot. Carl
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06-01-2015, 09:30 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KSM
From what I have read, tires should be inflated to their max.
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That's a very common misconception. Tire manufacturers publish charts and tables of pressure vs load. For Example.
Trailer Tire Load/Inflation Chart | Maxxis Tires USA
Walt
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06-01-2015, 10:51 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Wayne
Trailer: Airstream Sold, Nest Fan
Ontario
Posts: 2,002
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Tire Pressure
I agree Walt. I worked for two tire companies and the word was to adjust tire pressure accordingly to the weight the tire was carrying.
Generally speaking having a tire inflated to the max and the trailer weight is under the max rating it will tend to ride hard and wear down the center of the tire tread.
PS.... If there is a tire company that recommends inflating the tire to max pressure even thought the weight is less then that is something else again.
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06-01-2015, 10:57 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Name: JD
Trailer: Scamp 16 Modified (BIGLY)
Florida
Posts: 2,445
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This is correct as the air support the weight and the plies (etc) serve to hold in the air. Thus the different air pressure ratings per rating class of tire.
LT-Metric, LT-Flotation and LT-Numeric Light Truck Tires
Load Range Ply Rating Abbreviated Maximum Load Pressure
B 4 B 35 psi (240 kPa)***
C 6 C 50 psi (350 kPa)***
D 8 D 65 psi (450 kPa)***
E 10 E 80 psi (550 kPa)***
F 12 F 95 psi (650 kPa)***
***Selected large LT sizes are designed with reduced maximum load pressures
ST-Metric Trailer Service Tires
Load Range Ply Rating Markings Maximum Load Pressure
B 4 B 35 psi (240 kPa)
C 6 C 50 psi (350 kPa)
D 8 D 65 psi (450 kPa)
E 10 E 80 psi (550 kPa)
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