Titan Towing and Tire pressure

JayM · 06-27-2005, 01:19 PM

I've had a problem with my approximately 6,000 lb, loaded, travel trailer bouncing around going down the highway. It also suffers from more sway than I'd expect at higher speeds. This is our 6th rig, and this is a top contender for worst towing. (The trucks available power is NOT a problem!)

We've only had the trailer out a couple times. The last time I noticed the profile on the rear tires was a lot lower than the front. Unfortunately, I hadn't paid any attention until I got home. I checked the pressure, I've not adjusted it from whatever it was delivered with, and found the fronts at 38PSI and the rears at 36PSI. The tires are rated to 44PSI. I'm thinking for my next outing I'll try upping the rear pressure to 42-44PSI and see if that makes a difference. I'm thinking with the tongue weight of the trailer the rear tires may have been a bit overloaded, the same as "too soft", and that may have contributed to the bouncing.

Any one agree? Have a different idea?

ptgarcia · 06-27-2005, 01:29 PM

Definately up the air pressure to max, and then replace those P-rated tires as soon as you can with an LT-rated tire. It will make a difference.

Vector · 06-27-2005, 02:02 PM

I would highly recommend this 2 hour toy for anyone that tows with their Titan. It has completely eraticated the bizarre sway that I had while towing with my Titan. A great investment. You will find that you can get it from www.hellwig.com (call and talk to Nancy and let her know you are a Titantalk member) they will sell it to you for $175 delivered to your door. Its an excellent piece.

JayM · 06-27-2005, 04:40 PM

Vector -- your link is taking me to some heating and air conditioning web site???

What size/weight trailer do you tow?

Sammy Sandbag · 06-27-2005, 04:43 PM

This is the right link: http://www.hellwigproducts.com/

JayM · 06-27-2005, 05:11 PM

Thanks Sammy!

JayM · 06-27-2005, 06:06 PM

Just checked out the site. They don't list a rear bar for the Titan.

Vector · 06-27-2005, 08:27 PM

Just call the phone number and ask to talk to Nancy. It is readily available for our trucks, I have one on mine, if you look at the other posts under performance parts at this forum you will see one dedicated to the Hellwig swaybar. I have many pic's of it posted. Several others do also. Its a great deal for Titan Talk members at $175 delivered.

Vector · 06-27-2005, 08:29 PM

Talked to Hellwig today about rear sway bar!
Talked to Hellwig today about rear sway bar!

Oh, thanks Sammy for setting the Hellwig sight straight. I F'ed up.

JayM · 06-28-2005, 05:58 AM

Thanks Vector, I found the information on the link very interesting.

I'm not sure, however, how the sway bar might help my towing problem.

I'll be VERY interested in hearing about your July towing adventure.

You mentioned July 8th. That same day I'll be at the IOLA Wisconsin car show -- one of the biggest, certainly the biggest in these parts.

FLA-Titan · 06-28-2005, 08:20 AM

The helper springs would help with the bouncing, but you may need to adjust tongue weight or get a better weight distribution system and include a trailer sway bar.

SM68 · 06-28-2005, 08:31 AM

On this tire pressure issue. If the tires say they are rated to 44psi, you don't want to go above 44psi. Now that means if you start them at 44psi COLD you're likely going to take those tires to 50psi hot. This is bad news especially if you're putting extra load on them by towing.

To the original poster, you should not be having those problems. My rig is 6000 lbs and tracks dead straight with zero sway and no bouncing if properly loaded.

Generally, if your rig is bouncing it means too much tongue weight. If it's swaying, slow down

ptgarcia · 06-28-2005, 09:01 AM

The rating on the side of the tire usually specifies "cold".

JayM · 06-28-2005, 01:07 PM

ptgarcia is correct, the inflation rating is "cold". It is assumed by the tire engineers and designers that the pressure will increase as you go down the road. This is also why you're to take a pressure reading after the vehicle has been stationary long enough to cool down.

The factory/dealer had the rear tires inflated to only 38PSI, no doubt in deference to the "empty" weight of the truck. I should have known enough to check and increase the pressure before towing. It's been too long since I last towed a rig (38' 15,000 lb 5th wheel)! I suspect increasing the pressure will have a positive effect on the bouncing. The tongue weight is, I think, one of the problems -- it's too low. With a gross weight rating of 6200lbs, the tongue weight is reported to be less than 500lbs (I've not weighed it). I'm thinking it's at least 20% too low.

As for the sway, I don't know. I do have a sway bar on the rig. As stated earlier, I've only had it out (with trailer) a couple times, but the mounting plate for the sway bar ball (trailer frame) is distorted and three of the six mounting bolts have cracked the heads off. I'm not at all confident that the dealer didn't over stress them at install but, obviously, the radical sway I've experienced (above 60mph, the higher the speed...) hasn't helped.

The good news is, I've made enough noise at the RV dealership that they will be picking up the entire rig, truck and trailer, in a couple weeks to see if they can get a handle on this. I'm willing to give them an opportunity to try and fix it.

DStewart · 06-28-2005, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLA-Titan

The helper springs would help with the bouncing, but you may need to adjust tongue weight or get a better weight distribution system and include a trailer sway bar.

How do you adjust your tongue weight??