Suspension Bounce/Chirping Noise Walking in Leveled Trailer?

DutchmenSport wrote:
Is it possible the blocks are squishy, meaning they have flexibility in them. Try using solid lumber once and see if that makes any difference. If so, it's the plastic blocks you are using.

Another thing, if you are parked on dirt and especially grass, any block you put under your tires or jacks will sink into the ground a bit. You'll need to continue to tighten your stabilizer jacks. I go round my camper every day when not on asphalt or concrete and tighten them.

Another thing, it sounds like you are not tightening your stabilizer jacks enough. You want your jacks to be as tight as you can get them, but not so much they lift the wheels off the ground. If you are not putting enough tension on them, well.... there is your problem.

I have no suggestions for the squeaking noise your experiencing. Something in the camper is flexing, causing the squeak. Maybe a shot of lubrication on your leaf spring joints may help the noise too.

Here's a little tip I learned a long time ago to get the stabilizer jacks nice and tight. After you have your camper level, crank the tongue jack down about 3 or 4 turns. If you have a power jacks, crank it down for about 2 seconds. Then, go the back of he camper and put your jacks down. Make them as tight as you can by hand. Then go back to the tongue jack and raise it back up those 3 or 4 turns, or let the electric one crank back up for those 2 seconds. This puts a little extra pressure on the back jacks, without over stressing them, or lifting the trailer. It makes the rear of the camper very solid. Then lower the front jacks nice and tight.

If you have tandem axles, folks testify the X-chocks between the tires are marvelous for removing trailer bounce too. I've never used them myself.

Pretty much what I do too. :C

You really need the stabilisers tight to the point that the trailer frame begins to lift without over-stressing them.

Another thing I have learned is to reset the stabilisers after a day or so of being in place when everything has settled.

My parent's previous trailer made a noise similar to what you are describing. To me it sounded like it was the brake magnet rubbing on the drum.

bobndot wrote:

my suspension still wobbles a bit when I walk in the trailer and makes an annoying chirping noise.

Could it be your knees ? :B

Priceless! You are absolutely, right on!. My suspension is really wobbly and makes a chirping noise too. (I'm scheduled for knee replacement July 31). Excellent comment! :B

my suspension still wobbles a bit when I walk in the trailer and makes an annoying chirping noise.

Could it be your knees ? :B

SoundGuy wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
If you have tandem axles, folks testify the X-chocks between the tires are marvelous for removing trailer bounce too. I've never used them myself.

While X-Chocks won't totally eliminate camper bounce they certainly will minimize it by preventing the trailer tires from rotating about their axis. My wife insists I install ours each time we camp.

Just got the X chocks. They do make a difference. Worth the $60.

DutchmenSport wrote:
If you have tandem axles, folks testify the X-chocks between the tires are marvelous for removing trailer bounce too. I've never used them myself.

While X-Chocks won't totally eliminate camper bounce they certainly will minimize it by preventing the trailer tires from rotating about their axis. My wife insists I install ours each time we camp.

RCMAN46 wrote:
The chirping noise is probably coming from the suspension bolts.

Replace them with a wet bolt system and the noise may go away.


Look up wet bolt it also has many other good benefits.

X2

The chirping noise is probably coming from the suspension bolts.

Replace them with a wet bolt system and the noise may go away.


Look up wet bolt it also has many other good benefits.

To help with the soft center on a trailer i purchased a set of stabilizing jacks and located just in front of the front trailer axle.

Is it possible the blocks are squishy, meaning they have flexibility in them. Try using solid lumber once and see if that makes any difference. If so, it's the plastic blocks you are using.

Another thing, if you are parked on dirt and especially grass, any block you put under your tires or jacks will sink into the ground a bit. You'll need to continue to tighten your stabilizer jacks. I go round my camper every day when not on asphalt or concrete and tighten them.

Another thing, it sounds like you are not tightening your stabilizer jacks enough. You want your jacks to be as tight as you can get them, but not so much they lift the wheels off the ground. If you are not putting enough tension on them, well.... there is your problem.

I have no suggestions for the squeaking noise your experiencing. Something in the camper is flexing, causing the squeak. Maybe a shot of lubrication on your leaf spring joints may help the noise too.

Here's a little tip I learned a long time ago to get the stabilizer jacks nice and tight. After you have your camper level, crank the tongue jack down about 3 or 4 turns. If you have a power jacks, crank it down for about 2 seconds. Then, go the back of he camper and put your jacks down. Make them as tight as you can by hand. Then go back to the tongue jack and raise it back up those 3 or 4 turns, or let the electric one crank back up for those 2 seconds. This puts a little extra pressure on the back jacks, without over stressing them, or lifting the trailer. It makes the rear of the camper very solid. Then lower the front jacks nice and tight.

If you have tandem axles, folks testify the X-chocks between the tires are marvelous for removing trailer bounce too. I've never used them myself.