a_colebank
Bayard, West Virginia
New Member
Joined: 08/02/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
We just bought a new Ameri-camp 326LE travel trailer and have been having some small towing issues. Originally we had some sway issues but after setting the hitch up differently and re-allocating our load those issues have been greatly reduced. On our last trip I aired my tires up to close to the max (60 psi, 65 psi is max) compared to the 45 psi that the dealership had them set to. I also aired my TV (2007 Expedition EL) tires up close to their max (42 psi, 44 psi max). To make a long story short I don't have sway but I now have some trailer bounce. I am going to drop the air in the trailer back down around 50-52 psi and give that a try on our next trip. We don't take much with us so we won't be even close to the max weight in the camper. Anybody else have issues like these? Should I drop the pressure in my TV too?
|
troll3193
SouthWest, MI USA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/07/2004
View Profile
 Online
|
FWIW, every thing I have ever read about trailer tires, says you should run them at 100% of the pressure listed on the sidewall (cold), sounds like you have load range D tires (65psi max). 65 is what I would run in them.
As for TV tires, I keep more air in mine when towing, but on my truck there is specific guidelines from Dodge for empty vs loaded..
When you mention trailer bounce can you describe it more??
Regards,
Bryan
2006 RAM 3500 MegaCab w/Cummins Turbo Diesel
Mopar Exhaust Brake
2004 Dutchemen 31BK
|
mkirsch
Rochester, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 04/09/2004
View Profile
|
Try slowing down on rough roads, perhaps?
|
JFG
TN
Senior Member
Joined: 07/01/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Trailer tires should be maintained at the max stated on the sidewalls.
Fred
|
SPRey
Orange County, Kalifornia
Senior Member
Joined: 03/10/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
It could be your hitch height might be causing the TT tongue to bounce a bit. When your rig is set up for towing...is the TT a little higher--or lower in the front? At least in my situation...lowering the hitch ball made all the difference! My TT is about 1" higher in the back...or about 1" lower in the front.
Thanks to the mighty fine folks that posted several procedures for leveling your TT & TV...they work like a charm!
Tim & Sue
Gerry (GSD) & Jammer (Sheltie)
2005 F150 4x4 Lariat 5.4L 3.73 Please buy a Hybrid...I need your gas for my 37 gallon tank!
2000 Nash 19B...comfortably pimped with a real Queen Size Bed
Red Wine anyone?
|
|
|
a_colebank
Bayard, West Virginia
New Member
Joined: 08/02/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
The roads are not rough just a little wavy from truck traffic and I am only driving about 50-55. The tires are D rated. When I go over these bumps the vehicle just kinda floats back to front. It's not that bad and I'm not losing control or anything it's just a different feeling than I had on the last trip. The only thing different is the air pressure. I have measured the hitch and feel pretty good about the setup. The trailer rear end is just a little higher than the front. Just thought it was funny that the only thing I changed was the tire pressures. I changed my W/D linkage a couple times but it really didn't help much. The goal is to have the TV front-end and rear-end pretty much stay the same even with the load on right? If so I have that working. It's not really a problem just was something that I hadn't noticed before and just wondered if anyone else had. Thanks.
|
Jack_Diane_Freedom
Lindsay Ont, and Gulf Coast Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 05/11/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
If you lower the pressure you will get your sway back. The firmer side walls with the increased pressure is the thing that has reduced your sway.
|
a_colebank
Bayard, West Virginia
New Member
Joined: 08/02/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
That makes sense. I'll trade the little bit of bounce for getting rid of the sway. Thanks for all the advice.
|
rlh6805
Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 05/15/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
If your TV tires only have a 44psi max, then this is your problem. You have "P" or passenger car tires on your Expedition EL. You need to go get some "LT" tires in a load range "E". These will have a 80 psi max and much stiffer sidewalls. This will eliminate the bouncing you are experiencing.
Rob and Cindy in Michigan
2004 Prowler Regal
2001 Ford Excursion V10 4x4
Tasha, Deanna (RIP), and Abby (our dogs)
|
a_colebank
Bayard, West Virginia
New Member
Joined: 08/02/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I'll be getting some new tires put on today. They have 6 and 10 ply and I'm going for the 10's. I'm assuming I should see a big difference in towing.
|
|
|
