Road Trip Results and Ride Input Needed - Diesel Forum

barrelhorses · 04-12-2006, 09:40 PM

I previously posted this in the general section with no responses. I had hoped that a kind moderator would move it to this section for me. Since that didn't happen, here it is again....

I just got back from a 1602 mile road trip to visit some friends in the Florida panhandle. All the miles were towing my trailer with two horses in it except for 120 miles without the trailer but a truckload of people going to Dothan, Alabama.

I still don't know the weight of my rig, but I guarantee that it is HEAVY! I was pleased with the engine's performance on the trip. I averaged 11.13 mpg hand calculated with speeds ranging from 65 to 75 depending on the traffic. The biggest hills did make the truck grunt some, but I never dropped below 55 mph on any of the hills. (The route included 71 from Cincy to Louisville and 65 from Louisville to Montgomery. Then some state roads into the panhandle.)

The one big downfall that I would like to get fixed is the extremely rough ride over the roughest roads. The truck handled and rode great as long as the roads were smooth. But when the roads were bad, the truck would jar your teeth loose. The trailer sits me down on my overload springs. I don't think I can use air bags because of the way my GN ball is welded to the frame. I have been eyeing the supersprings some and wonder if those might help me. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] Yes, I had the tires aired up to 65F and 75R and I would be affraid to have them any lower with the weight and speed. Any input on this subject would be appreciated.

Sorry for the long post. TIA for any input.

NickKent · 04-13-2006, 06:46 AM

For a start, get rid of the factory shocks. Get some Bilsteins. That still won't fix your problem towing, and I don't know if anything will. I would make it a priority to weigh your truck and trailer to make sure you have the proper tongue weight, and then reasses the situation. When you have a lot of weight on the springs, the truck is going to ride harder regardless.

barrelhorses · 04-13-2006, 07:22 AM

I know you're right about getting the real weights. I just haven't done it yet. I was going to do it on this trip, but once those wheels were rolling, I didn't want to waste anytime. FWIW, my current guestimate of the trailer's weight is 10,000# wet/loaded without horses and their supplies. On this trip, add two 1250 horses, 300 pounds of hay, 100 pounds of grain, 500 pounds of tack and miscellaneous supplies. That put's the trailer around 13,400. I know estimates are just about useless. I promise to get the thing weighed soon.

There's not much that can be done to adjust the pin weight of the trailer. The living quarters makes the front end quite heavy. The way it is set up, loading horses into the trailer probably has very little influence on pin weight. Perhaps loading a single horse in the trailer in the rear stall would help counterbalance the trailer to take some of the pin weight off. Likewise, loading a single horse in the very front stall might add some to the pin weight. But that's not practical for everyday use.

barrelhorses · 04-14-2006, 06:25 AM

[ QUOTE ]

The one big downfall that I would like to get fixed is the extremely rough ride over the roughest roads. The truck handled and rode great as long as the roads were smooth. But when the roads were bad, the truck would jar your teeth loose. The trailer sits me down on my overload springs. I don't think I can use air bags because of the way my GN ball is welded to the frame. I have been eyeing the supersprings some and wonder if those might help me. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] Yes, I had the tires aired up to 65F and 75R and I would be affraid to have them any lower with the weight and speed. Any input on this subject would be appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

Anybody else want to chime in? I'd like to do something to reduce the harsh ride while towing.

boatpuller · 04-14-2006, 10:58 AM

In my limited experience the jarring ride is due to the springs bottoming out on the bump stops. Don't know if that's the case with yours. Stronger springs would prevent that while loaded, but cause other rough ride conditions while empty. Therefore, I'd try to figure a way for the air bags to work if this truck also is used empty.

CaptRon · 04-14-2006, 12:21 PM

I've put over 20,000 miles on my truck towing my fifth wheel camper that weighs 14,500#. Generally the ride isn't too bad but certain roads are worse than others and I've driven these roads in different vehicles. The trailer definately makes the truck ride harsher and I would like to convert the truck to air suspension if I got a windfall.
Been looking at Stengel Bros Link Air Ride System or the Talon System or maybe RoadTamer..

Then I'd install a pair of air ride seats from United Group.

I run 80 psi in all my tires and they run cooler at the speeds that I tow. Also the trailer tires run at 80 since I run pretty hard.

Capt Ron

**Kanman** · 04-14-2006, 02:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

The one big downfall that I would like to get fixed is the extremely rough ride over the roughest roads. The truck handled and rode great as long as the roads were smooth. But when the roads were bad, the truck would jar your teeth loose. The trailer sits me down on my overload springs. I don't think I can use air bags because of the way my GN ball is welded to the frame. I have been eyeing the supersprings some and wonder if those might help me. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] Yes, I had the tires aired up to 65F and 75R and I would be affraid to have them any lower with the weight and speed. Any input on this subject would be appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

Anybody else want to chime in? I'd like to do something to reduce the harsh ride while towing.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would check more into the air bag thing. Maybe somebody can fabricate some custom brackets for your truck. At the very least check into the Timbrens. They aint half of what air bags are, but it would be a step in the right direction.

js2941 · 04-14-2006, 02:59 PM

I have Bilsteins on the rear axle as well as Kelderman air suspension. I tow a 32' 5W. The trailer has a TrailAir pin box. My ride is very smooth on all but the roughest roads.

barrelhorses · 04-14-2006, 05:16 PM

Thanks everyone for the input.

Boatpuller, that is why I was considering the "Supersprings". Per their website, they claim that unloaded ride is not effected. The superspring only engages when a load is put on the truck. I browsed a little over on rv.net website. Some of the folks there seem to like the supersprings. I know that AllenF has PM'ed me from this site and he likes the supersprings. I was sort of hoping other folks might have some experience with them too.

I will do a google search later on the timbrens too. I really haven't looked at them yet. I don't really forsee having the "extra" cash to upgrade to one of the full-blown air ride set ups...

As far as the current set up is concerned, the absolute worst roads on this last trip were, in descending order: 1. Birmingham, AL 2. Montgomery, AL 3. The last few miles of 65 in southern KY. These places were so rough that I was cussing mad while driving them. The Gene Snyder bypass around Lousiville was also fairly rough. I don't mind a little harsh ride myself, but I hate to think I am jarring the crap out of my horses.

NickKent · 04-14-2006, 10:05 PM

Timbrens from my experience will work for what they are designed for, leveling a vehicle, but will not smooth out a ride.

barrelhorses · 04-15-2006, 08:13 AM

Yeah, that's what I was thinking after looking at them some. Unfortunately, air bags will probably not be an option for me unless I find someone who can customize the mounting to deal with my GN installation. I think I am going to call Supersprings and ask a few questions. I understand that they have a money-back guarantee. I guess if that is true it would be worth a shot to try them out.

sdymn518 · 04-15-2006, 06:19 PM

I have a very simlar trailer and when i hook to it i find that i sit right on my helpers but not really into them real hard. So when i hook i load hay and grain in my bed that was just right to get htem to sit down just that little extra and helped a little. For air bags i had to get short bag from a air suspension place and just u bolted a square piece down from the frame. Cuz mine also a homemade gooseneck. the fuel tank is in there now i can tell when i pull and it getin empty. The short bed thing is really a killer.
jarek

barrelhorses · 04-15-2006, 09:58 PM

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The short bed thing is really a killer.
jarek

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Yeah, I don't think the ride would be as bad in a long bed truck. My next truck will probably be a long bed super cab, maybe a dually. I really don't need the crew cab anyway.