stop the Bucking!

[MacMcCaskie]

On a recent trip we ran into a few spots on the highway when the rig started to buck violently (hitch moving up and down rapidly). The TV is a Toyota Tacoma Pre-runner with tow package, and the trailer's a star-craft popup. BTW, the tire air pressure was low on the trailer.

I'll be getting a lighter TT soon and wondered if I will need something such as a weight distribution hitch to stop the bucking. Or was it all due to the tire pressure?

[LukeS]

Common sense is the key slowing down is the best remedy. Driving all kinds of rigs from Semis triple combos and everything in between. My opinion is the roads the concrete stuff is terrible go from LA county to any other county and it is like night and day. Loading is key it is all balance for example a freight truck single axle heavier trailer in front or you will get wiggle waggle as I call it.

This is my opinion only do not take it as gospel. I have a WD setup used with my Dually, 2500 and Suburban and prefer not using it with the right truck that is capable suspension wise and motor. I run as if I am in my Semi and people talk about sway etc but put it in a Class A state of mind i run in the winds off the 15/10 and 60 interchanges and when winds are tipping the trees over time to pull off and sit it out. Now when I run west on the 10 towards banning it is mainly a headwind. However when debris or sand starts blowing across the HWY pull over nose into the wind.

This is all subjective because rules of pulling a 5er or travel trailer are not as stringent. Key is doing your pretrips even if you stop for something to eat. Make sure tires are checked for issues and drive smart. Most rigs give room when passing or being passed but there always exceptions. If in slow lane slide to right a little and or left a little when passing. Some folks are just plain stubborn, dumb or just inexperienced.

Depending on diesel or gas Semis brake front rear to front, that is why a brake controller is nice you can manually use trailer brakes to slow you down and then use your rig and combo which keeps things cooled down ride it hard may not stop. If anyone drives the 10/210 on getaway Fridays or holidays know what I mean and I leave from Valencia and end up in Phoenix or san Diego. The hardest part is LA Counties roads and freeways. My opinion again is that many people buy equipment that they are not trained or used to driving and that is why a lot of posts start with sway. big trucks going by each other have similar effects. I think the hardest thing to do is ride my long stretch chopper in the sidewinds that is always wild ride.

Funny thing is if I tow with my Suburban feel less of the wind, and with the 2500 feel it more. i used to run with my roll up doors up if i was empty because it settled the trailers down high and low pressure not recommended for amateurs. Come down 395 when a storm coming across sierras and if empty sure made a sidewind a little easier to deal with. I have driven by convoys of RVers going north or south and again the beligerance makes for harrowing experiences but that goes both ways. Plus to be fair i would fire a lot of drivers on the road these days. Picked up some tractors from swift and made that comment to the sales rep and looked at me funny. just get on the road channels and see how friendly drivers are nothing like it was even 20 years ago but that is a different story. Be safe

[easycamper]

We upgraded the P-rated tires on our truck to LT's, and it greatly reduced the chucking we had with our fifth wheel. It's still there if you feel for it, but it's not objectionable now.

I'm glad I discovered that before spending money on a fancy new pin box.

[MacMcCaskie]

Thanks everyone for the tips.

1) Yes, keep tire pressure up, also after I replace the tires it didn't bounce as much. And tongue weight seemed low.
2) It was definitely the highway and it makes sense about harmonic vibration, slowing down helped.
3) I did realize the tongue was too low, for the new camper I'll let the dealer adjust.
4) Porpoising is a better word than bucking.

Mostly I'm relieved the Taco was not at fault and I can look forward to the new trailer being OK with it.

Thanks again.
Mac McCaskie

[daveor]

the tongue weight sounds too light to me.

[GrandpaKip]

There is a stretch on I95 S where it meets I26 that always caused our pop up to porpoise. Didn't do it with the next camper or with the one we have now. It lasted for about 4 or 5 miles, then went away. Probably the same thing happened to you.

[colliehauler]

Reese makes a 350LB WD hitch that would help. A 800LB WD hitch would be overkill. I bought one to use on a 1700LB TT that I pulled behind my Blazer.

[robsouth]

Just slowing down will likely fix your problem.

[trop-a-cal]

60% of the weight in the trailer should be in front of the Axle(s). That way it always has front leaning on tow vehicle and not lifting tow vehicle.

[SDcampowneroper]

Harmonic bucking is caused by the spacing in concrete expansion joints in relation to your vehicle axle spacing. No hitch arrangement will cure it,but may help some.
Speed is the factor to reduce harmonic action between your TV and camper. Just slow down or speed up a bit.
Or you could vote to raise your fuel tax for smoother highways.

[rexlion]

Since you say it was a few spots on the highway, and not all the time or even frequently, I'd guess it was the highway. Sometimes all you can do is try to change your speed to reduce the bouncing. There's a bridge I have to cross occasionally between Webbers Falls and Gore OK that does it to me every time; all I can do is take it slow. The joint spacing and the way the slabs of concrete lay are simply terrible in some places.

[Lowsuv]

many years ago i had a small trailer like that .
the remedy was to load the tongue as heavy as possible .
as previously suggested .

[KD4UPL]

Could be a lot of things. One not mentioned is are you towing this trailer level or is the tongue too high or low. Maybe you need an adjustable ball mount to keep the trailer level.
A WDH is probably not necessary with a trailer that small. It won't necessarily cure the bucking anyway. Nothing will fix it 100%. Sometimes the spacing of the bumps and your speed are just exactly wrong and everything jumps around.

[Francesca_Knowl]

MacMcCaskie wrote:
Or was it all due to the tire pressure?

That one. Soft tires bounce.

There's nothing like flabby tires to cause that action on a trailer- especially one you've towed problem free prior to the "bucking" event.

Folks would be doing themselves a real favor if they ALWAYS do as you did in this case- think about what's changed any time something strange occurs.

[camp-n-family]

Not many pups require WD hitches, but can't say for sure without knowing more details on the trailer weights etc.

Could be a number of factors causing the bucking. A Taco should be able to handle a pup without problems. The distribution of the weight, especially on a single axle tt is very important to handling. I would check the tongue weight first. Too light on the tongue could cause bucking or if it's almost balanced front to back would cause it to seesaw. You want it to be tongue heavy, at least 12-15% of the trailer weight should be on the tongue.

Also consider the truck shocks. Are they old and worn out. Might want to upgrade to heavier duty and make sure the trailer and truck tires are aired up.

[senior-cit]

MacMcCaskie wrote:
On a recent trip we ran into a few spots on the highway when the rig started to buck violently (hitch moving up and down rapidly). The TV is a Toyota Tacoma Pre-runner with tow package, and the trailer's a star-craft popup. BTW, the tire air pressure was low on the trailer.

I'll be getting a lighter TT soon and wondered if I will need something such as a weight distribution hitch to stop the bucking. Or was it all due to the tire pressure?

PS. You should get a weight distribution hitch anytime you haul a TT of any kind. It distributes the weight so the front end stays on the ground.