jamorgan3777
Appleton Wisconsin
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Joined: 01/21/2008
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I have a question about my particular situation.
First off, here are the specs,
2003 Chevy Silverado K1500 Ext Cab 5.3L Z71, Equal-i-zer hitch, pulling Jayco Jayfeather 29A (6500# GVWR)
Here is my problem. When we are going down the road, if we are on normal road surface, everything is fine. If we go over bumps, everything is fine. Even had 30-40mph side winds and any sway was minimal (barely felt it in motion of the vehicle, no active compensation of any sort required). However, when we would get on PAVED interstate or 4 layne roat, every expansion cut in the concrete made a little bump. These bumps would work into a motion that was a total pain. Felt like one of those one shaking belt things that you used to see in all the fitness films from the 50's. Anyway, is this caused by my Equalizer set up or is this "tail wagging the dog"? The frequency is quite high, maybe 4-5/sec at 60mph. I thought it might be a resonance of some sort, but between 30 and 70 mph it just changed frequency and does not change at all in intensity. Once we get on any other type of road surface, good asphalt, bad broken asphalt, city streets, etc, the ride is normal and smooth. Even in the "bad" road, when we hit a bridge, the ride will smooth and level out until we get back on the pavement. Any suggestions?
Thanks for your help.
2003 Chevy Silverado Z71 5.8L V-8 3.73
2007 Jayco JayFeather EXP 29A
1972 DH
1974 DW
2000 DD
2001 DD
2003 DD
2005 Rosie the high$ wonder-mutt 
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ib516
Sask, Canada
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Joined: 04/18/2003
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It's not the tail wagging the dog IMO, but rather a function of the spring rate of the truck and trailer and the spacing of the expansion joints of the roadway, and a function of speed. Kind of a harmoniocs type thing for lack of a better term. We don't have many of those types of roadways where I live.
You could try varying your setup (WD bars) and or/speed to see if that helps.
TT is a 2004 Cougar 301 BHS -- (6580# Dry, 9000# wet)
TV is a 2002 Dodge CTD 2500HD 4x4 w/3.55
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Terryallan
NC
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Joined: 06/28/2004
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Not sway, It is not tail wagging the dog. It is as you know the expansion joints in the highway. Not really all that much you can do. Your TV is heavier that usual, and you will feel stuff more. You could stiffen up the suspension to stop some of the bounce. But that is about all. OR. Stay off concret. Not happening huh? In truth, as well as you say your TT towes on all other surfaces. I wouldn't mess with it. Maybe slow to 55 or so.
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George H
Washington
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Joined: 06/27/2006
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Does your TT have a GOOD set of shocks? I helped my last 5er a bunch by replacing the originals with Monroe Gas Magnum RV shocks.
George, Juanita and Mandie (boss Shar-Pei)
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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Dontcha just love those upper Midwest roads??  You might also see if an adjustment to your WD hitch helps soften those bumps. We feel them, but they're only annoying, not scary - depends on how your hitch is set up, at least in part.
I sure wish they would have used good ol' asphalt in many of those places...
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Peg Leg
Anderson, IN
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Joined: 06/20/2004
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You say "PAVED" which to me indicates asphalt, and then switch to concrete expansion joints. This sets up confusion on which surface you are actually refering to.
As for the concrete, is it more of a porposing or bouncing up and down in the ball hitch area that your refering to? I used to have this bad also. I added shocks to my TT and air bags to the truck. I believe the air bags are the biggest help but only because I use an onboard compressor and can tune the ride while traveling on different road types.
I also think of it as a harmonic response to the road. Slowing down was the only thing that helped. It gets to be a big pain real quick.
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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LOL you've been watching too many Toyota commercials. You just need to adjust the weight distributing hitch correctly. More than likely the weight of your tongue is over powering your suspension on the Chevy. Give it a little more help and crank some of that weight onto the front axles. Good luck / skip
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
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wcjeep
Tacoma, Wa
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Joined: 04/11/2008
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Friend had similar problem. Changed the tires on the tow vehicle which helped. Moved to a different offset rim on the car hauler. Moved the trailer tires outboard by 1" on both sides. Made a world of difference.
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Kenneth
Washington, the state
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Joined: 03/20/2001
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Shocks. The shock absorbers on your truck might be weak and worn...GM didn't put on the best...and a set of four heavy duty shocks might be a big help. Bilstein and Rancho get the best reviews.
And, shocks on the trailer. Monroe has a good trailer retrofit kit.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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IMO first find true loaded TT weight. Then find actual hitch weight, if not between 10 and 15% of total fully loaded TT weight, move stuff till it is. Then adjust WD hitch per sticky.
Chuck
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