5th Wheel bounce

[zell66]

OK new to towing with a 5th wheel. been towing a pull behind for 20+ years. Recently pulling our new to us 2012 sandpiper 365saq 5th wheel with a 2008 F-350 crew cab. (not getting into debate about the 08) I noticed sever bottoming out at highway speed at bridges. These little dips caused my truck to bottom out. Now when hitching up 5th wheel my truck had little to no sag from weight. What can I add to truck to help with this highway dip nightmare?

[Halmfamily]

zell66 wrote:
What are your thoughts on StableLoad by Torklift?

I have the Stableloads on our 08 GMC 3500 DRW and makes a huge difference in not only stopping the bouncing but I was getting driveline chatter when accelerating from a stop and that is gone also. Take about an hour to install and 5 minutes to activate them before you hook up. Great investment.

[zell66]

What are your thoughts on StableLoad by Torklift?

[zell66]

Sorry for not commenting back guy, I honestly forgot I posted this. Life got in the way lol.

I will try and get truck info this week, It is currently in storage and just need to get out there.

[filrupmark]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Dump your shocks for a set of Bilstein 4600's. Try that, I guarantee they will help. If you want more shock absorption add bags and start out with 30psi loaded or just enough to keep truck at current ride height.

I did both on my 11 HO RAM Dually and the difference was AMAZING!!!

Bilstein 4600 fixed our bridge transition issues. Highly recommended by me also .

[memtb]

zell66, We got an ‘07 Dodge 3500.....it like most of today’s trucks are “softly” sprung. People want that soft, cushy ride....forgetting they “needed” a truck. The manufacturers want to sell trucks.....”cushy” sells.

Add air bags, with the onboard compressor.....should solve your problems! With approx 4K pin weight....it solved our issues!

Air bags give you the adjustability for different tongue/pin weights of different trailers,while offering “cushy” when unloaded!

[mtofell1]

Another vote for airbags. While you may not need them for the weight/squat of the truck, they will definitely stiffen up the hinge between the truck and 5th wheel and help greatly in the conditions you describe.

[2naEagle]

Air bags will definitely help. Shocks on the trailer are always good.
I prefer the Rancho RS9000XL Adjustable shocks. If you don't mind doing the adjusting makes the ride a lot smoother when unloaded.

[Willcamp4]

I don't see a response on which suspension/GVW/Trailer weights packages you have, but speaking from experience from two different Super-Duty pickups, with both I added Air Lift air bags to the rear. Both times it turned our really well. You can adjust the pressure to avoid issues like you have described as well as changes in loads, different trailers, pavement irregularities and etc. If you have the on-board compressor, which I highly recommend, you don't have to stop to make changes. The new WirelessOne system uses a handheld remote to make adjustments so you can even make adjustments while outside the vehicle and use different pre-set pressures for you trailer.

[Cummins12V98]

tinner12002 wrote:
I'd go with a good set of air bags, not for additional load but for the ride.

I don't know if you have bags or not. It's very unlikely you NEED bags with yours. But as you said adding them would improve the ride. That is why when ordering my 15 I went with the factory rear air ride.

On my 11 HO RAM Dually I had 4,500# pin weight, truck sat level. The ride over some of the California roads was less than desirable. I added 4600 Bilstien's and PacBrake bags. I aired them to 30psi loaded and did not increase the rear ride height. The difference in ride over the same roads was MUCH improved.

First pic no bags, second with bags.

[tinner12002]

I'd go with a good set of air bags, not for additional load but for the ride.

[AUwing2]

Shocks are a wear item and depending on their age (2008?) might be time to replace.

[Fulltimer50]

I found that just slowing down helps a lot.

[mapguy]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
When hitched IS 5vr towing level or nose high?

New set of Bilsteins will go along way to controlling that 'rebound'

Trailer towing setup -frame level is best and provides for a fully working trailer suspension. Adding shocks to trailer will help, too.

Bouncing on and off the truck overload spring will intensify the impact of bridge transitions or other chop encountered by the trailer suspension.

[Old-Biscuit]

When hitched IS 5vr towing level or nose high?

New set of Bilsteins will go along way to controlling that 'rebound'