davenlynnep
new london wi
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Joined: 06/29/2008
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Hello,
I am hoping someone may have an answer for me.
I have a '96 f-150 extended cab 8' box and pull a '02 19' R-Vision hardside camper. All was well until my latest trip.
here is what I had a few weeks back:
1. worn out goodyear P235-70-r-15's
2. worn out upper and lower ball joints
3. box covered with tonneau cover.
I have repaired/replaced and installed
1. replaced tires w/ uniroyal LT235-75-r15's
2. replaced all ball joints and fresh alignment
3. installed leer truck cap
4. installed (2) vent covers on trailer (I can now leave the vents open all the time).
Towing the camper now is very difficult. When pickup trucks and semis pass me it feels as if I am on a sheet of ice. is it possible that installing the leer cap has taken the downforce off the box of the truck? There is no way I can go 70 mph, even 60 mph is a nightmare! My local dealer said I needed a load balancing hitch-I installed it this morning and went on a test run and spent the last hour removing and repacking for return. the trailer and truck are almost perfectly balanced and I have towed the trailer with the old set-up at well over 70mph and it handled excellent. Any suggestions?? Thanks!!! Dave
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mikehart92
Oklahoma
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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TIRES
I bought a set of BF's for my wife's Suburban and it felt like I was all over the road for the first several thousand miles. Finally the wore in.
Mike
2005 Chevy 2500HD.............6.6 D/A, 4x4, Crew Cab
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Moved from Forum Technical Support.
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Perrysburg Dodgeboy
Perrysburg, Ohio USA
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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What PSI are you running the tires at towing?
Perrysburg Dodgeboy
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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Pump your tires up to max on both truck and trailer. Did you get the E-rated tires, or the D-rated? E-rated are stiffer and better for towing.
It is possible the camper shell has something to do with it. It does increase the sail area of the pickup for side winds and wind wash from passing semis to act on. Try towing the trailer without the camper shell and see what happens. 
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Thetwoofus
Grand Ledge Mi
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Joined: 10/02/2006
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Hi there davenlynnep
Sounds like you should have it all under control. You replaced every thing that needed replacing. How about having the rear of the camper overloaded. Sounds like you might have little or no weight in the front of the camper. Heavy in the rear and little or no ball weight can make you feel just like you described, like being on ice all the time.
Try that out and see if it's any different.
Good luck and happy traveling.
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crappie_fisherman
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Joined: 08/09/2005
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You went from P rated tires to LT tires.
Sidewalls on the LT's are much stiffer.
I found out a couple of years ago that too HIGH of tire pressure in my LT's actaully gave me the feeling of being on a sheet of ice. Tires are an INTEGRAL part of the suspension. Being too stiff can cause other parts of the suspension to have to carry more of a load...which they may not easily be able to do...
I think you just have to play with tire pressure to find the balance again...that's what I had to do and have been extremely happy since doing so...it just took some time to find the right psi for front and rear...
Start at the MINIMUM psi you need for the axle load (you can load charts on line) and work up in 5psi increments if needed. Simply going to the MAXIMUM first may be your problem...but that is just a guess since you haven't answered Perrysburg's question...
Edit:
Here's a link for load chart...CLICK HERE
End Edit...
Good luck,
joe.
* This post was
edited 06/30/08 07:05am by crappie_fisherman *
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92DakotaHD
Indiana
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Don't go max on your pressure, you only do that if the tires are at max load. But it does sound like you need to bump up the pressure.
Also, adjust the pressure according to the sidewalls and NOT to the door jamb specs in your truck.
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