Will Air bags make a big difference?
So we've had a 21'5th wheel for 16 years, and love it, but it's getting long in the tooth, and it's a little small, so we bought a 2012 Shasta Revere BH, 27', 31' with the hitch. We took it on our fi...
Forum Discussion
So I looked at your camper model and specs and a few things jump out at me as well.
Some positive, some contributing to your poor towing experience maybe.
1. It shouldn’t be “too” tail heavy with empty tanks although the fridge is a little aft of the axles and with the rear bath I bet the gray and black tanks are under the rear of the camper. It may be quite tail heavy with full gray and black tanks.
2. The gvw vs wheel/axle combo is not right. Now based on your trailer scale weight you’re under the axle ratings by enough but 2-3500 lb axles and 14” tires DONT belong under a trailer that weighs anywhere near the 9000+ gvw. While you’re “ok”, the springs and tires are probably marginal even for your lightly loaded trailer.
The springs may be a bit soft and exaggerating the behavior. I’d almost guarantee they’re not even close to holding the full gvw - tongue weight. Unless it’s some unconventional combo of wimpy axles and wheels with heavy springs.
More importantly, trailer tires and air pressure. You didn’t even say, but if you gots 195s or 205s C load or don’t even have the max pressure in those tires that will make the trailer handle worse. Idk how old the tires are but there’s room for D load 65 psi 215 size tires and that will also help.
You can do the same simulation with the trailer. Air the trailer tires up to 65psi (even if they’re 50psi tires) and take a test drive. (Presuming you already addressed the tire pressure properly and aren’t just running on under inflated tires.)
Better tires and/or springs if they’re maxxed or pooched will help how the trailer handles. It so much with the bucking but with the wiggles/sway.
Bottom line you bought a decidedly used trailer that like many TTs (new or used) may have inadequate suspension and tires for the best handling and durability, combined with the additional aspect of wear n tear on the springs likely?
If you don’t have money to “throw” at stuff, you gotta have a little will, skill and ingenuity.
So you can scrap the plan for the sake of lack of effort or will or you can do a lot for free or cheap to solve the perceived problem or at least make it better.
Again, these recommendations are meant to be helpful and cost conscious. But you still have to participate to win….
Some positive, some contributing to your poor towing experience maybe.
1. It shouldn’t be “too” tail heavy with empty tanks although the fridge is a little aft of the axles and with the rear bath I bet the gray and black tanks are under the rear of the camper. It may be quite tail heavy with full gray and black tanks.
2. The gvw vs wheel/axle combo is not right. Now based on your trailer scale weight you’re under the axle ratings by enough but 2-3500 lb axles and 14” tires DONT belong under a trailer that weighs anywhere near the 9000+ gvw. While you’re “ok”, the springs and tires are probably marginal even for your lightly loaded trailer.
The springs may be a bit soft and exaggerating the behavior. I’d almost guarantee they’re not even close to holding the full gvw - tongue weight. Unless it’s some unconventional combo of wimpy axles and wheels with heavy springs.
More importantly, trailer tires and air pressure. You didn’t even say, but if you gots 195s or 205s C load or don’t even have the max pressure in those tires that will make the trailer handle worse. Idk how old the tires are but there’s room for D load 65 psi 215 size tires and that will also help.
You can do the same simulation with the trailer. Air the trailer tires up to 65psi (even if they’re 50psi tires) and take a test drive. (Presuming you already addressed the tire pressure properly and aren’t just running on under inflated tires.)
Better tires and/or springs if they’re maxxed or pooched will help how the trailer handles. It so much with the bucking but with the wiggles/sway.
Bottom line you bought a decidedly used trailer that like many TTs (new or used) may have inadequate suspension and tires for the best handling and durability, combined with the additional aspect of wear n tear on the springs likely?
If you don’t have money to “throw” at stuff, you gotta have a little will, skill and ingenuity.
So you can scrap the plan for the sake of lack of effort or will or you can do a lot for free or cheap to solve the perceived problem or at least make it better.
Again, these recommendations are meant to be helpful and cost conscious. But you still have to participate to win….
