What can I do to get a smoother ride when towing?

[Tankerhank]

I may be wrong but it seems I remember the tire guy saying the max pressure for the "E" rated Michelins was 80 psi. I am sure someone will jump in if I am wrong.

I know the "D" rated I had on my 2000 Tundra would handle 60 psi without issue.

[TundraBay]

Originally Posted by Tankerhank

I may be wrong but it seems I remember the tire guy saying the max pressure for the "E" rated Michelins was 80 psi. I am sure someone will jump in if I am wrong.

I know the "D" rated I had on my 2000 Tundra would handle 60 psi without issue.

Mine will go that high but I feel like I'm driving on concrete tires if I put much over 65 PSI even when towing. Me, I'm going with about 50 when unloaded, 65 loaded for the rears, this seemed to be a good compromise of ride, control, and wear. The fronts stay at 50.

[Tankerhank]

I'm at 60 all around, but then I just got back from the mountains and we will be heading out again in another week, so being lazy I will leave the pressure up at 60. Rides pretty nice even at 60 psi and now 5'er.

[campertom]

Test ride results are in, and the new shocks have taken care of 90% the bounce. The ride is so much improved, that I am eager to take care of the fronts (thinking Bilstein HD). I had a bunch of time for test drives, so I hit the same stretch of road with many variations on the setup - tire pressure, air lift pressure, hitch ball height, shocks at max setting and mid range, weight on tongue at 11% and 13%, and higher weight distribution settings. At max setting on the shocks, there was no bounce (regardless of the other changes). At mid setting on the shocks, bounce was the there (regardless of the other changes). The amount of bounce was affected by the other changes, but it was always varying levels of unpleasant.

[Rex Wayne]

Originally Posted by campertom

At max setting on the shocks, there was no bounce (regardless of the other changes)

So, if I am understanding you right, the Rancho 9000XLs shocks completely took care of the bounce/porpoising.
The other changes (hitch adjustment, tires, hitch ball height) did not take care (eliminate) the bounce like the shock replacement did...
Is that correct?

Wow, that is good to know ... I have been following this thread as I try to figure which way to go to take care of my problem ..which is just like yours ..
My trailer is a bit lighter in total and in tongue weight, but I am having the same bouncing problem.

Thanks,..
Rex

[campertom]

Yes, that's correct. Only the shocks took care of the bounce in my situation. But, based on the wide range of solutions to bounce issues that I have read on this and other forums, I expect that not all bounce has the same origin - and you may find that the bounce in your situation is resolved by some other change. Shocks are on the cheaper end of upgrades though, so you might give those a shot first.

[fastone01]

Hi all,

It been a long while since i read or post here. I ran on this question and maybe this post will help.
Sway control for towing camper

All i did is up the wieght distribution bars on the hensley hitch I have from 700 to 1000 and fix the oscilation problem similar to this post. Mind you that my trailer tongue wieght is 700 +. going to a stiffer wieght distribution bars eliminated the problem.

[jdubh]

Anyone install those shocks at home? Or do you need an alignment?