Horrible Bumpy Ride in 1/2 ton pulling TT
Hello to all! We are newbies and just bought a 2014 chevy Silverado Z71 1/2 ton with towing package and a 32 foot 7000lb Springdale Travel Trailer. We love the TT but the ride towing is miserable! We ...
Forum Discussion
Easiest way to set up the WD is a follows.
level the trailer front to back. If the ground is not level, but is sloped, then you want the trailer parallel to the ground.
Measure the distance to the top of the TT coupler.
Set the WD ball 1" higher.
To start with put 5 washers in the WD for tilt.
Measure the fender well of the truck.
Set the TT's coupler on the WD ball.
Raise the trucks rear up with the tongue jack.
Attach the spring bar chains with 3 links hanging off the snap up brackets.
Lower the TT's tongue.
Measure the front fender well again. It should be within 1/2 " of the unloaded height. Back to zero would be better.
If the measured number is more than 1/2" (1") then add another washer to the WD. Repeat.
If that doesn't bring the front fender closer to original then grab one more link on the spring bar chains.
If that doesn't work then step up to heavier spring bars. You should have at least 1200lb spring bars for your setup.
Don't worry about the rear sagging as long as it's not like 4" or something like that. The rear should drop about 2" with your tongue weight.
When you have the front of the truck returned to close to it's original height check the TT to see if it's close to level (parallel). If it's down slightly in the front that's okay. 2" down is too much. You will need to raise the WD ball up by sliding it up on the WD shank.
level the trailer front to back. If the ground is not level, but is sloped, then you want the trailer parallel to the ground.
Measure the distance to the top of the TT coupler.
Set the WD ball 1" higher.
To start with put 5 washers in the WD for tilt.
Measure the fender well of the truck.
Set the TT's coupler on the WD ball.
Raise the trucks rear up with the tongue jack.
Attach the spring bar chains with 3 links hanging off the snap up brackets.
Lower the TT's tongue.
Measure the front fender well again. It should be within 1/2 " of the unloaded height. Back to zero would be better.
If the measured number is more than 1/2" (1") then add another washer to the WD. Repeat.
If that doesn't bring the front fender closer to original then grab one more link on the spring bar chains.
If that doesn't work then step up to heavier spring bars. You should have at least 1200lb spring bars for your setup.
Don't worry about the rear sagging as long as it's not like 4" or something like that. The rear should drop about 2" with your tongue weight.
When you have the front of the truck returned to close to it's original height check the TT to see if it's close to level (parallel). If it's down slightly in the front that's okay. 2" down is too much. You will need to raise the WD ball up by sliding it up on the WD shank.
