spongy towing
05-25-2009, 07:48 PM
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spongy towing
Hey all, I tow a 34' 5'er and was wondering what would work best to get more stability in cross winds (better handling) sway bar or air bags. I have a b&w turnover ball with a companion fifth wheel so that may affect my choice. Thanks in advance
05-26-2009, 07:39 AM
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What does the trailer weigh? What is the combined GVW, that is the truck and camper fully loaded?
When I pull my 5er which is a 30 ft long, my fully loaded mass is (GCVW) 17,000 lbs. This is a scaled weight, my truck fully loaded with driver and passenger with a full load is 8,600 lbs, so the rest is the camper weight. I point this out because I believe stability is more about the mass and the over all cross sectional area of the trailer that is exposed to wind then just the length of a trailer. You need to know the weight of the combined trailer and truck to see if you are approaching the GCVW that is recommend by Dodge on your truck. Stability comes with a wider stance and a dually may be required if you want to provide a more stable ride. I know this is not what you want to hear but if you have concerns then you need to evaluate all options.
When I pull my 5er which is a 30 ft long, my fully loaded mass is (GCVW) 17,000 lbs. This is a scaled weight, my truck fully loaded with driver and passenger with a full load is 8,600 lbs, so the rest is the camper weight. I point this out because I believe stability is more about the mass and the over all cross sectional area of the trailer that is exposed to wind then just the length of a trailer. You need to know the weight of the combined trailer and truck to see if you are approaching the GCVW that is recommend by Dodge on your truck. Stability comes with a wider stance and a dually may be required if you want to provide a more stable ride. I know this is not what you want to hear but if you have concerns then you need to evaluate all options.
05-26-2009, 07:55 AM
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If you're not having a problem with too much weight on the rear axle then the bags would be my second choice. Make sure you bump the tire pressures, most likely around 80 psi is the max.
05-26-2009, 08:31 AM
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Wouldn't individually plumbed (as in not T'd together) air bags give hime more stability for that big trailer?
If it was me I'd get them AND the sway bar.
If it was me I'd get them AND the sway bar.
05-26-2009, 08:40 AM
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I have both the Helwig Sway Bar and the Firestone ride rites.
I installed the ride rites first, they did an awesome job when towing my 5th wheel and the GN trailers. I did not have sway, just a goodly amount of pin weight, causes a spongy, bob-type pull.
I installed the sway bar because when I pull my bumper pull trailers they tend to cause a little sway in the normal higher winds here in NM. I did not want to have to install a friction type sway bar on the weight distributing hitch.
Once I found a nice balance between them, the spongy, bobbing stuff was gone.
I recently towed my 30' Avion BP in some real strong winds, the terndency to sway that usually goes with strong winds was gone. The Avion is a 12-13K tow when loaded.
I see you have a 2500 - maybe you might want to consider adding the components from a 3500? Or, going to better springs/spring packs?
I have both an SRW and a DRW truck, tow the same stuff with both as well. While the DRW does seem to be a little more stable when towing, between the winds and the crown on the road, both will experience sway and the spongy, bobbing stuff. Both trucks are now equipped the same with air bags and sway bar.
CD
I installed the ride rites first, they did an awesome job when towing my 5th wheel and the GN trailers. I did not have sway, just a goodly amount of pin weight, causes a spongy, bob-type pull.
I installed the sway bar because when I pull my bumper pull trailers they tend to cause a little sway in the normal higher winds here in NM. I did not want to have to install a friction type sway bar on the weight distributing hitch.
Once I found a nice balance between them, the spongy, bobbing stuff was gone.
I recently towed my 30' Avion BP in some real strong winds, the terndency to sway that usually goes with strong winds was gone. The Avion is a 12-13K tow when loaded.
I see you have a 2500 - maybe you might want to consider adding the components from a 3500? Or, going to better springs/spring packs?
I have both an SRW and a DRW truck, tow the same stuff with both as well. While the DRW does seem to be a little more stable when towing, between the winds and the crown on the road, both will experience sway and the spongy, bobbing stuff. Both trucks are now equipped the same with air bags and sway bar.
CD
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05-26-2009, 08:57 AM
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05-26-2009, 09:22 AM
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BTW, how you like your Mile Marker winch?
05-26-2009, 09:47 AM
#11
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Air bags were a HUGE improvement on pulling my GN, and pulling a 24' enclosed tag-a-long. I always keep about 5 psi in them and the ride is stock. When I load up the bed or pull heavy with the GN I load them up to 50 or 80 psi. I did buy an onboard compressor and tank but haven't installed them yet. For now I use what came with the kit (schrader valve by license plate bolt) to air up/down the bags. If I need to fill up while on the road I have a 5 gallon portable tank which is MORE then plenty for a few fill ups (air bags don't use that much volume). Only down side is they recommend to not lift the truck by the frame thereby fully extending the axles and possibly ripping the air bags. Might not be an issue as most places use a drive on ramp for this size truck anyways. They say you can lift the truck but need to remove all air from bags. As a general rule I haven't lifted it by the frame yet so all good for me.
Timbrens work but can pound the axle when not loaded, from what I've read. I've read more bad things about Timbrens then good. I generally hear all good things about people with air bags. Just my findings.
Timbrens work but can pound the axle when not loaded, from what I've read. I've read more bad things about Timbrens then good. I generally hear all good things about people with air bags. Just my findings.
05-26-2009, 10:17 AM
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Fisherguy.
I knew that the only difference was the overloads, they do help when allowed to articulate with the load. I have a longer set of bumpstops on mine so that they will engage WITH the airbags.
I just recently installed the Mile Marker winch, finally got a chance to use it, works real good. I have the new 12K mil spec electric model they introduced a couple months ago. I just purchased another one for my Jeep Wrangler.
CD
05-26-2009, 10:18 AM
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Air bags were a HUGE improvement on pulling my GN, and pulling a 24' enclosed tag-a-long. I always keep about 5 psi in them and the ride is stock. When I load up the bed or pull heavy with the GN I load them up to 50 or 80 psi. I did buy an onboard compressor and tank but haven't installed them yet. For now I use what came with the kit (schrader valve by license plate bolt) to air up/down the bags. If I need to fill up while on the road I have a 5 gallon portable tank which is MORE then plenty for a few fill ups (air bags don't use that much volume). Only down side is they recommend to not lift the truck by the frame thereby fully extending the axles and possibly ripping the air bags. Might not be an issue as most places use a drive on ramp for this size truck anyways. They say you can lift the truck but need to remove all air from bags. As a general rule I haven't lifted it by the frame yet so all good for me.
Timbrens work but can pound the axle when not loaded, from what I've read. I've read more bad things about Timbrens then good. I generally hear all good things about people with air bags. Just my findings.
Timbrens work but can pound the axle when not loaded, from what I've read. I've read more bad things about Timbrens then good. I generally hear all good things about people with air bags. Just my findings.
Limit straps are all you need to solve the problem with lifting by the frame. They do a real nice job at keeping things under control.
CD
05-26-2009, 10:33 AM
#14
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Ya know....never thought of that. I've seen them for off road trucks/rock crawlers and stuff but never made the connection for the Dodge. Thanks!
05-26-2009, 10:45 AM
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The truck only squats about 2.5 inches with the camper fully loaded (with 51 gallons of water which I don't always carry). Camper weighs 11,500 lbs. Rig pic in my gallery.