โSep-05-2014 02:08 PM
โSep-05-2014 11:22 PM
Desert Captain wrote:Gdetrailer wrote:stationaryfulltimer wrote:
I'm having issues with the bow wave from passing trucks. I have a Jayco 328RLS towed by a 1991 Chevy Suburban. I'm using a Reese Strait-Line WDH with 1500 pound bars. The front axle is about 100 pounds lighter than the unhitched weight, though I intend to fix that by adjusting the hitch a little.
I typically drive around 55mph on the interstate, and when the 18-wheelers fly by at 70, I get blown to the side a little. It's bad enough for me to be on-edge when towing, but I also don't have thousands of miles towing my camper under my belt yet.
I believe my bow wave issues may be partially due to the steering on my Suburban. The older 80s bodystyle Chevy trucks (for which my 91 shares bodystyles with) have very easy steering. The steering on these old trucks is so easy, that you can easily dry-steer from lock to lock with your pinky finger. Coincidentally, it's VERY easy to steer when the truck is moving. The entire steering/suspension assembly including steering box, tie rods, adjusters, ball joints, etc has been recently replaced and aligned, so they're all in good condition. I think the ease of steering is allowing me to be more easily blown around on the highway. Is this possible, and if so, would adding a steering stabilizer (shock for steering) improve the bow wave issues? How else other than watching the rear view mirror like a hawk and bracing for it can I help reduce the bow wave from passing trucks?
Thanks in advance. I'd really love to be more at ease when towing my home.
The part I bolded IS your main problem.
There is TOO MUCH difference in speed between you and the passing vehicle.
Honestly If you are truly and only going 55 on an Interstate road with posted 65+ speeds YOU ARE ON A "SUICIDE MISSION"..
I would recommend that if you don't feel "comfortable" towing at at least NEAR the speed limit ( say 60 MPH if posted at 65 MPH) then perhaps you should look for smaller lower speed limit roads.
Driving too slow is just as bad as excessive speeding since now you become an slow moving object in the way of others WANTING to go faster.
No matter how much you tinker with WD, hitch or even your vehicle suspension you will still feel the effect.
There are two things that you can do which will drastically reduce the effect..
#1, SPEED UP SOME as the passing vehicle approaches your trailer, doing so MINIMIZES the "difference" between your pressure wave and the passing vehicle pressure wave.
#2, MOVE OVER AWAY from the passing vehicles lane without going off the road (IE don't "hug" the CENTER LINE of the road), doing so puts SPACE between your pressure wave and the passing vehicles pressure wave. DISTANCE between vehicles reduces the effect of each others pressure wave, result is both vehicles will feel LESS pressure wave..
Doing BOTH of the above most likely will pretty much eliminate the effect you are feeling.
Congratulations on giving the worst advice EVER!!! :S
The OP is pulling a 35' TT with a half ton SUV and you think his only problem is going too slow??? The laws in a number of states, California comes to mind, require that vehicles towing NOT exceed 55. You have the nerve to shout at him that driving 55 constitutes a suicide
mission and then tell him to get off of the road because "you" think he should not be there. :R What color is the sun on your planet? :h
Yes, common sense and physics dictate that not hugging the centerline will help but not nearly as much as getting enough truck. More speed in an unstable rig is not the answer.
:R
โSep-05-2014 10:52 PM
rbpru wrote:
I occasionally get hit with the same effect. The odd thing is it is not constant.
Some days it is a noticable push, some days it is not there. Since I always set the cruise at 60 mph and hitch up the same way, I just attributed it to a shift in the TT loading due to changes in the gray, black and fresh water tank levels or perhaps a cross wind condition.
Though it can annoying at times, it is one of the variables encountered when pulling a TT. I have a half ton and a 26 ft trailer, the effect might be worse with a larger TT.
โSep-05-2014 09:45 PM
โSep-05-2014 08:46 PM
'15 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD
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CHECK OUT THE RV.NET BLOGS!!
โSep-05-2014 08:37 PM
โSep-05-2014 08:30 PM
โSep-05-2014 07:31 PM
โSep-05-2014 07:15 PM
stationaryfulltimer wrote:
...
I've been across the scales twice, but here's my last scale ticket readings:
Truck only:
Front:2660 Rear:3380 Gross:6040
Truck and Trailer Bars Hooked:
Front:2480 Rear:4660 Trailer:8280 Gross:15420
Truck and Trailer Bars Unhooked:
Front:2100 Rear:5200 Trailer:8140 Gross:15440
Reese Dual Cam Straight Line HP Sway Control
โSep-05-2014 06:52 PM
Mike Up wrote:Not all of us are nuts. Some of us have upgraded to LT tires. That and a substantial TV allow us to tow comfortably at any legal speed. There is no reason it can't be done safely with the proper equipment.
Anyone driving over 65 mph pulling a TT is nuts. WHY!!!! Because the trailer tires are only rated to 65 mph and know for a fact that going 70 to 75 mph will blow them. I've seen many family, friends, and coworkers blow their tires going at such speeds and have no idea why it keeps happening. Now they know and came to their senses and slowed down.
โSep-05-2014 06:50 PM
โSep-05-2014 06:39 PM
โSep-05-2014 06:22 PM
stationaryfulltimer wrote:
When I get pushed, it feels like it get pushed as one. I think the Strait-Line is really doing its job well.
I hate the 1500-2500 question, since I seem to always get yelled at for this. Technically, as the truck shipped from the factory 20 years ago, it was a 1500. Now, everything except the frame is now 2500 or 3500 parts. I try to not claim it's as strong and as good as a 3500, but it's definitely not a puny 1500 either...
The hitch is a Reese Strait-Line hitch with 1500 pound bars. The Strait-Line part includes built-in sway control. I need to pull a link or two to get the 100 pounds I'm short back on the front axle, but I'm already at the minimum links showing, so I need to tilt the head some.
As for pictures, they'll have to wait. I have a couple at home that I can possibly post.
โSep-05-2014 06:20 PM
BarneyS wrote:
A
The only other way I know of to cure that problem is to purchase a projection point hitch like a Hensley hitch. It will minimize the bow wave to a very slight nudge that will not affect the steering of your vehicle at all. The downside to the Hensley is that it costs quite a bit more than the hitch you have now.
Barney
โSep-05-2014 06:07 PM
โSep-05-2014 05:57 PM