Freeway Hop - Diesel Forum

SteveHeywood · 04-26-2005, 02:29 AM

Towing a travel trailer on concrete freeways, ESPECIALLY those in the LA Basin can range from a minor problem to a VERY PAINFUL experience.

My 2005 F250 towing my 30' Airstream is PAINFUL on concrete freeways. The suspension on my truck is still factory stock. Normally I would replace my OEM shocks with a set of Bilsteins but wonder if that will make my problem better.

Has anyone used a set of Rancho adjustable (either RS900 or RS9000) shocks with the in-cab control while towing a trailer? Were you able to adjust the shocks to the point the hop either went away or was at least bearable?

Thanks,

Diesel_Danny · 04-26-2005, 04:28 AM

Steve ...

I just replaced my stock shocks last month with a set of Bilsteins. They have made a big difference in the ride when towing.

When I removed the stock units ... I could move them in and out like a squeeze box. Not so with the Bilsteins! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

moooboy · 04-26-2005, 10:22 AM

Yes i just put the new 9 position rancho's on my truck with the incab adjustable remote.Makes towing a trailer much more enjoyable and when i crank um up to setting 9 my truck corners in the hills like a sports car.It does help with the hop,you just have to find the right setting for the wheelbase/freeway you are on but easy to do with the incab remote.

Wobblin-Goblin · 04-26-2005, 10:38 AM

No flaming intended, but you'd think for $40K the truck would come with decent shocks.

FWIW, I tow almost every day and haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary or been displeased in any way with the ride of my particular truck. Perhaps Ford switched to different shocks post-2003 or went to a different vendor?

firefighter9208 · 04-26-2005, 11:09 AM

I don't think the problem is with the shocks on the truck. I recently put on new Monroes and the ride is much better loaded or pulling my tag along car trailer. When I hook up the 5th Wheel the bounce is still there. If you will look in the rear view mirror the problem is the 5th wheel bouncing. This causes a jerking condition between the 5th wheel (11,000#) and the truck (8,000#). Most of the heavier (top of the line) 5th wheels and toy haulers come equipped with shocks.

I have spoken with several people on the trailerlife (www.trailerlife.com) forum and they swear by Monroe's add on shock kit for 5th wheels. They say that once you make the bounce go away in the 5th wheel you will have no problem with the bounce in the truck. I plan to add this kit to my 5th wheel this summer.

Go to http://www.monroeheavyduty.com and click on Trailer retrofit kit. You can order the kit and shocks for around $250.00. It's supposed to be a do-it-yourself kit.

Firefighter9208

johnm · 04-26-2005, 01:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
No flaming intended, but you'd think for $40K the truck would come with decent shocks.

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe the truck does come with decent shocks. unfortunatly, LA basin does not come with good roads. considering that they are always working on them, they are about the worse ive seen anywhere in the USA.

i put the rancho adjustables on mine so i could go to LA to visit my kids. didn't need them any where else that i drove the truck before going to LA.

Dr.Evil · 04-26-2005, 02:57 PM

Not having driven on Your roads it's tough to be sure but since You mention Concrete roads specifically, I think the problems are the ROADS. The slabs between expansion joints are angled like wash boards, and sets up a oscillation or bucking motion in the truck/trailer combination. Used to be REAL bad in the semi-tractor/trailer I drove 20 yrs ago especially when pulling 40 ft trailers. 45's & 48's were smooth but 40's almost seemed to bounce Me right out of the seat. The harmonics of the wheelbase amplified the bucking. Longer wheel base canceled the bucking out. Shocks may help some but Your State's DOT needs to grind the pavement smooth! Even brand new concrete in WI has to be ground sometimes.

Teebird · 04-27-2005, 10:50 AM

Steve, my 96 Chevy and my Ford both did/do it. It is the roads in combination with the wheelbase and suspension on the trucks. I replaced the shocks on my Chevy that came stock with Bilsteins, Z71, at 60k miles with Rancho's because of this same issue and noticed no difference. I'm sure the Bilsteins were fine on my old truck. However, I did get the super duty valved Bilsteins on my F250 when I got the lift and the truck rides better than stock.
Yeah, would think in Kalifornia after paying over $500 this year for my registration that they could fix the roads. RIP OFF!!

Pappy19 · 04-27-2005, 06:20 PM

I changed mine to Bilsteins and it helped, but then added Velvet Rides and that helped even more. Bottom line is that I still have some hop, but not nearly as bad. Little hop, not big hop. Now the wife will ride with me, if that tells you anything.

SteveHeywood · 04-27-2005, 10:09 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I changed mine to Bilsteins and it helped, but then added Velvet Rides and that helped even more. Bottom line is that I still have some hop, but not nearly as bad. Little hop, not big hop. Now the wife will ride with me, if that tells you anything.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks to all who have replied. Looks like I'll end up trying Bilsteins and will investigate Velvet Rides. Until then I'll avoid SoCal freeways.

Mike Lewis · 04-27-2005, 10:51 PM

I dunno if you're talking about Los Angeles or Louisiana. If the latter, then I feel ya... if the former, well, I stay outta big cities in Kalifornia.

Southern Louisiana on I-10 is a teeth-chattering experience for many!!

That's TOOTH-chattering for others.

My truck did well on I-20 through LA. I don't remember 20 being as bad as 10 in most places, but it does have its rough spots.

Mississippi was the hardest part of our trip last summer from Macon, GA to Monterey, CA. TERRIBLE roads going through Jackson, I believe.

Best I can suggest is to slow down on the rough spots.