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Post by thewolfgang on Aug 31, 2021 12:53:53 GMT -5
Hi,
Hoping someone has an idea of what's going on...
I have been towing different campers for 20+ years.
Recently I changed from a 34' to a 36' that weighs about 1500lbs more.
My tow vehicle is well within specs, and I am using a Reese Weight Distribution System w Shank - Round Bar with Sway control.
I've not had any issues with my prior camper, but in this camper, on certain roads at speeds above 50mph, I seem to be shaken up-and-down at a high frequency.
I will be checking my settings on this to make sure it's set up correctly, as the dealership installed this, but was wondering if anyone has seen this before and what they did to fix this.
Perhaps it's a trailer suspension issue?
Thanks!
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Post by navylcdr on Sept 1, 2021 7:34:59 GMT -5
Grossly out of balance tire(s)?
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Post by thewolfgang on Sept 1, 2021 10:05:12 GMT -5
Well, it's a "new" camper, only been on two trips (and 4 times to the service center). SHOULD not be out of balance that bad, yet. Truck is fine by itself, too.
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Post by navylcdr on Sept 1, 2021 12:13:55 GMT -5
How do you know the tires were balanced to begin with? Are there weights attached? Is there a blue or red dot on the tire right at the valve stem? Up and down movement (hopping) would most certainly be a tire, spring, or axle problem, and I would look at tires first. People have had brand new tire blowouts on their maiden voyage - especially with Castle Rock tires.
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Post by thewolfgang on Sept 1, 2021 12:49:24 GMT -5
Silly me... I assumed this would be done on all new vehicles, including campers. Would make sense to me. Cutting corners everywhere!
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Post by WrkrBee on Sept 2, 2021 8:13:51 GMT -5
Tires are built using different bands of rubber products. Different rubbers are used for the inner tube, side wall, tread, belts, etc. Most inexpensive tires are built with complexed products, where they take the different bands and lay them into one band. So instead of 5 or 6 steps to lay individual products, the one big band is used to lay all the products at one time. The complexed product has a heavy joint where it overlaps on the form. All road tires should be balanced.
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marjim
Weekender RV’er
Retired EE, Vietnam Vet, God, Faith, Family & Flag. St. Louis area
Posts: 99
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Post by marjim on Sept 9, 2021 14:26:03 GMT -5
I think the tire balance check is a good idea, but I would also check tire pressure. Mine uses 45psi..which was surprising, but correct based on sidewall and spec decal on the trailer. I am not sure if your UP/DOWN trailer movement is truly UP/DOWN like a bucking bronco, or FWD/REV like sometimes it pulls and pushes. Since you have the sway system, I would assume that your not losing it LEFT/RIGHT.
BTW...if you are close to your dealer, grab a service tech or supv and take them out for a ride. Explain how much money you spent on their reccommendations and ask them if this is the best you can expect??
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Post by thewolfgang on Sept 12, 2021 21:11:19 GMT -5
Pretty sure it's not a tire issue. Same speed on some roads makes are fine, but other roads rocks the truck (and assume the trailer). I believe it may be a frequency issue with the unevenness of the road, the distance between the truck and trailer tires, and the speed. Harmonics like the bridge that the wind destroyed. Better springs, etc. on the trailer seems to me would be the only solution.
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Post by wireman134 on Sept 13, 2021 14:06:54 GMT -5
Hi, Hoping someone has an idea of what's going on... I have been towing different campers for 20+ years. Recently I changed from a 34' to a 36' that weighs about 1500lbs more. My tow vehicle is well within specs, and I am using a Reese Weight Distribution System w Shank - Round Bar with Sway control. I've not had any issues with my prior camper, but in this camper, on certain roads at speeds above 50mph, I seem to be shaken up-and-down at a high frequency. I will be checking my settings on this to make sure it's set up correctly, as the dealership installed this, but was wondering if anyone has seen this before and what they did to fix this. Perhaps it's a trailer suspension issue? Thanks! Sorry to say if you've been towing with a 1/2 ton truck or SUV, a 36' TT most likely is taxing your tow vehicles payload capacity and GVWR. 20+ year of not knowing or doing something wrong really don't matter. Get the app and understand. fifthwheelst.com/ |
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Post by WrkrBee on Sept 13, 2021 16:00:42 GMT -5
Pretty sure it's not a tire issue. Same speed on some roads makes are fine, but other roads rocks the truck (and assume the trailer). I believe it may be a frequency issue with the unevenness of the road, the distance between the truck and trailer tires, and the speed. Harmonics like the bridge that the wind destroyed. Better springs, etc. on the trailer seems to me would be the only solution. Start with the simple stuff first. Balancing the tires are easy and cheap. Make sure the weight distribution hitch is set up right (don't trust the dealership to set it up right). Check the truck suspension and shocks. It's extremely rare to have a road surface set up harmonics in a suspension system with good shocks and bushings. The only time I've seen a road surface issue was around New Orleans where the interstate is built on mud. Interstate is basically sawtoothed. It wasn't a harmonic issue, but a truck/trailer push/pull fight over every road section. |
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Post by thewolfgang on Sept 13, 2021 17:20:10 GMT -5
I just adjusted my WD system, as the dealer did not do this correctly. No change there. Truck is fine, and did not have any issues with the previous trailer. All this combined leads me to believe it's the TT's springs and equalizer system. Still cannot imagine it being unbalanced tires. This only happens on certain roads at higher speeds, but not on other roads at the same speeds. It is consistent on the same street it always happens.
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Post by woodet on Sept 16, 2021 8:59:36 GMT -5
I get this problem on certain roads too. I attribute it to a road issue, not a vehicle issue. Concrete roads are constructed in slabs, not a continuous pour. Old construction methods did not join the slabs together, so over time heavy vehicles (particularly semis) would cause the slabs to rock slightly. Most vehicles are not sensitive to this rocking...the shock absorbers do their job. But a stiff truck pulling a heavy trailer, and with the wheels just the right distance from each other, can create an oscillation that is sometimes quite uncomfortable.
You generally won't get this issue on newer concrete roads, asphalt roads, or older concrete roads that have been retrofitted. You can sometimes identify roads that have been retrofitted to connect the slabs. You'll see a series of rectangular shapes on each joint, usually six or eight per slab, and concentrated on the typical wheel path of the road. When I'm on those roads, I don't get the oscillation.
Check it out on your next trip. See if this explanation works for you.
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marjim
Weekender RV’er
Retired EE, Vietnam Vet, God, Faith, Family & Flag. St. Louis area
Posts: 99
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Post by marjim on Sept 19, 2021 6:56:47 GMT -5
We just brought our trailer home from the famr, prior to our trip this coming week. Before I left the barn, I checked PSI in all 4 tires. The advice to have your tires checked is the most simple and easy thing to do. If you have a tire storr nearby, just pull up and have them come out and grab one tire and check it. Curious why you are reluctant to have a tire or two checked. My father-in-law worked at Uniroyal 41yrs. All the prior info listed above is correct and possible. just checking the rim for weights (inside or outside) is a visual inspection.
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Post by thewolfgang on Sept 20, 2021 8:18:08 GMT -5
Why am I reluctant... Well, if I drive at say 60 mph on one road and have 0 issues, and I go on another street at the same speed and get the bounce, I tend to discount tire issues. Especially if I have the issues on the same stretch of road every time, but not on other roads.
BTW, I did make an appointment at one place, when I pulled in they told me they don't do trailers, person taking the appointment was a sub...
Went to another place, and could not get in for a couple of weeks. With work conflicts, got to find the right time for me and them...
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Post by WrkrBee on Sept 20, 2021 11:03:34 GMT -5
Just guessing, but a smooth road surface can allow the tires to develop harmonics. Another road surface with joints, pot holes, changing levels, changing road crowns, etc. will change the tire loading and disrupt the harmonics.
You could remove the tires from one side of the camper and take them to the tire store and have them balanced. Then do the other side.
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