Trailer bounce

nwhouston · 06-26-2018, 04:02 PM

We tow our 3124KS with a 1/2 ton pickup. Originally we towed without a WDH as the tongue weight (trailer loaded with gear in the back of the pickup) was / is still under the 600 lb allowable for my truck. Trailer towed smoothly and the truck was level. About two years ago I succumbed to internet traffic and bought / installed a WDH. Since then our trailer has been experiencing significant bounce damage. An example is the trim on the oven literally comes unscrewed. I do not have the bars set too tight (aka they are level when attached).

So we are embarking on a long trip from Texas to Virginia next week, and I am considering abandoning the WDH. That beast alone weighs over 60 lbs including the bars. And there is always the risk of the odd bite when unhooking.

Does anyone else using a WDH see similar trailer bounce effects? Anyone tried the WDH and then left it home? Appreciate your views.

Larry

**ShrimpBurrito** · 06-26-2018, 05:47 PM

My understanding is that the WDH bars should be set such that there is roughly the same amount of weight added to both the front and rear axles of the TV. I don't think it has anything to do with the level of the WDH bars. So that's one thing to check.

Second, what tire pressure are you running on the TM? And what tires (size, and load rating)?

Dave

nwhouston · 06-26-2018, 07:12 PM

When the bar tension is right they should be essentially level, at least with my BlueOx WDH design. May vary with others, but ours are right where the manual specifies, so I doubt that is the issue. Plus, the truck is correct in terms of measurements at the wheel wells both before hookup and after loading the tension bars. Even so, I have thought about letting off one chain link so there is a little less tension.

Tires run at 65 psi (D's). When hot they can get up to 70 psi, in which case I usually let the cold (aka morning) pressure drop down to about 58 psi so I stay close to 65 psi once we are warmed up down the road. I do know that too much air can definitely add to this problem. And I know that the road you are on is a big factor. So I don't know if the WDH is the prime driver of this bounce issue or not. My limited web search on the topic certainly did not find a clear confirmation, though some have suspected the same thing.

Thanks for the input. Larry

**Larryjb** · 06-26-2018, 07:16 PM

I was taught to set the WDH bars so that the TV is level, not to make the bars level. After replacing my 17 year old shocks, I think I needed to add chain link into the bars to reduce the lift. Whatever the case, it is much easier to pry up on my lift bars. Before, with the old shocks, I was having to lift the truck up a couple of inches.

Also check your tire pressure. If you have load D or E this and pumping them up to the max, you will shake the trails apart. A few members have experienced that.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 06-27-2018, 03:05 PM

The road can be a big factor. There is a section of I-405 out here that is absolutely awful for any trailer. Our trailer, as well as every other one I see on the road, bounce on this section, whereas cars are able to absorb the ripple to the point where it not noticeable.

Where pressure are you running in the TV tires?

I don't know anything about the Blue Ox....

Dave

nwhouston · 06-27-2018, 03:38 PM

Dave, I generally run at 65 psi (see my previous post above). I know the road is always a factor; and certainly overpressured tires!

I am trying to determine if using the WDH with its stiff linkage between trailer and truck is aggravating the situation. All WDH setups work on the same principle so the brand itself is not the issue. One can over or under transfer the tongue weight, and hence my comments previously about trying to get right in the sweet spot of the BlueOx lashup.

Right now I am either going to leave the heavy beast home (40% probability if I find some evidence from others that WDH's do in fact aggravate this issue) or drop the stiffness down one chain link and see what happens (60% likely as the search hits are not producing much verifiable info).

Thanks for your input. Larry

Shane826 · 06-27-2018, 05:47 PM

65psi seems really high. Imagine putting LT tires on your Chevy Malibu and airing them up to 65-70psi. It would bounce your teeth out. Also what weight are your spring bars rated for? If you’re using overly stiff bars that will cause bounce, too...

eddugo · 06-27-2018, 06:30 PM

I use an Anderson WDH so i don't know much about the spring bars, but I was surprised to see the 1000 pound spring bars you are using. Maybe someone with experience can comment on this. I would think if the spring bars are to stiff, you would increase bounce. What size spring bars is everyone else using?

**Larryjb** · 06-27-2018, 06:41 PM

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=2616

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=2922

We should have pointed you to these at first.

tentcamper · 06-27-2018, 06:46 PM

All WDH's have an operational windows for the static tongue weight. . I think my 600 LB wdh is like 350 to near 700 lbs. Above that window its not affective, below it becomes a bouncy harsh ride.