Rough roads, 4x4 truck?

The claimed problem with 4x over 2x it the added weight of 4x eating into the trucks payload capacity.

Newer 4WD trucks from the big three may have a smoother ride, they've all made major changes and improvements to their HD trucks over the last 3 or 4 years

BK

diver110 wrote:
Thanks for the feedback. What is chucking?

Chucking is the action where the 5th wheel trailer pushes back against the truck when the nose of the trailer falls during up and down travel. Chucking feels like the truck is jerking back and forth and depending on how bad the condition is, it can be none to mild to really annoying. Because the condition is a result of trailer/truck combination in relation to trailer weight and position, the level of chucking varies from setup to setup. And generally, the more pin weight, the less chucking. There's plenty of fixes options and opinions out there but as JohnBoyToo mentioned, most just isolate the trailer movement from the truck.

But in regards to my comment on 4wd trucks riding stiffer, that was kinda a general statement. I'm sure it wont apply to all applications and vehicles but is merely a general rule of thumb. I personally like having a 4wd truck as a TV because of the 4wd option if needed, and the low range if needed.

4x4 bed rails sit higher than 4x2, so it often forces you to flip the axels to get the trailer high enough. If the truck is lifted, it may not be practicle to get the trailer high enough.

On rough roads, the issue I see is if your right truck tires drop into a pothole at the same time your left trailer tires drop into a pothole, the overhang can hit the bed rails. Depending on the clearance, you have maybe 10 degrees of side to side angle before it becomes a problem with a 5th wheel. With a TT, you can probably get upwards of 30 degrees before it would try to lever the hitch off the ball. Just driving down a washboard road, it shouldn't make much difference.

No issues pulling our 25' fifth wheel with the F-250 PSD 4x4.
Once we wished we had a dual pivot hitch as the side to side roughness was a bit extreme.

We're often in the backcountry traversing goat trails.



Have been grateful for the 4-wheel drive too. Once had to pull the fifth wheel through mud-to-the-hubs. We weren't lost here either - this is a highway in Yukon. The flagperson told us to take it slow and stay out of the way of the big yellow machines; no pilot car on this one.

I think chucking is the pull back you feel as the rv tires hit a bump and momentarily holds back before going over the bump... then when it rebounds, the push is just as rough...

I say that's what it is, but I've never experienced it since I try to get the solution before I experience the problem :)

I have a tri-glide air ride hitch and although I can see the 5er bobbing and weaving and twisting in the rear view mirror, I don't hardly feel the 15500 lbs behind me !

So you see, the upgrades didn't stop the chucking, it just is not transferred to the truck - which is all I care about...


And to the original poster, just like on any internet forum, or at any large party, there are 'experts' around every corner !!!
And some of them are very VERY pushy with their 'opinions'...

I like towing with the 4x4 - and have already used it many times...
low range in tight spaces with heavy weight really makes it easier to park.

I wondered that as well.......:)

Thanks for the feedback. What is chucking?

agesilaus wrote:

KATOOM wrote:

Ride wise..... A 4wd is always going to ride somewhat rougher than a 2wd. Just for sake of more unsprung weight in the front suspension and stiffer suspension.

I don't know if I agree with that. I went from a 2WD to a 4WD and have not noticed that the 4WD is any rougher riding. Actually on wash board gravel/dirt roads the 4WD is smoother in 4WD High. I have about 7 inches of clearance over the bed on mine and didn't have to make any adjustments in my 5Ver. I think only on quite old, maybe pre-2000 5vers would you have a problem. Probably the same ones that have the squared off front cap.

As for chucking, if you have a Reese hitch then that might be your problem. I have never had a chucking problem (Pullrite hitch) and I've never heard of anyone with a B&W hitch complaining about it either.

BK

I'll be the 1st to complain then, I have a B&W Patriot and had chucking issues. 5'er has a 20% pin weight almost to the lb. I've since added a MorRyde pin box and most chucking is eliminated or reduced to a tolerable level. Also I have a 4x4 CC LB 2500.

Can't comment on the 4x4 vs 4x2 idea, but as far as rougher roads and TT vs 5'er goes I would think that having the extra weight over the axles that a 5'er puts on the axles would help with traction. I've been on a few gravel roads and needed to start on an incline and was anticipating some slippage but it never happened.

KATOOM wrote:

Ride wise..... A 4wd is always going to ride somewhat rougher than a 2wd. Just for sake of more unsprung weight in the front suspension and stiffer suspension.

I don't know if I agree with that. I went from a 2WD to a 4WD and have not noticed that the 4WD is any rougher riding. Actually on wash board gravel/dirt roads the 4WD is smoother in 4WD High. I have about 7 inches of clearance over the bed on mine and didn't have to make any adjustments in my 5Ver. I think only on quite old, maybe pre-2000 5vers would you have a problem. Probably the same ones that have the squared off front cap.

As for chucking, if you have a Reese hitch then that might be your problem. I have never had a chucking problem (Pullrite hitch) and I've never heard of anyone with a B&W hitch complaining about it either.

BK