[speediq99]

Hello,

I need some advice. We took our new trailer out for the first time this weekend.

TV = 06 Nissan Titan SE Crew Cab 4x4.
Hitch = equalizer setup very aggressive (8 washers, L brackets way up high, truck leveled, trailer leveled).

The truck did not lack power, however, from 0-50mph or so, it will bounce in almost a rocking-like motion. It did this w/ both an empty and a loaded trailer. Trailer dry weight = 6000 lbs. Tongue = 695

Once at 60mph, the rocking-like bouncing stopped, however, the truck still felt pretty bouncy every time we hit a bump on the road.

Any advice on how to improve the ride?

Mike

 

[speediq99]

Shocks are Bilstein 5100s all the way around. They are 3 months old.
Interestingly enough, even though this is not the same trailer, I don't remember my truck bouncing so much with the OEM shocks. My older trailer was similar in weight and a bit heavier on the tongue.

I don't doubt that airbags will be the ultimate solution, however, they aren't cheap and more difficult to install.
Do you know if there is much of a difference between a roadmaster Active suspension and the hellwig spring helper? That latter are $150 as set. The RAS is over $300.

Mike

 

[speediq99]

I think you were right on with your answer on the tongue weight. Interestingly enough, I called Equalizer and they told me the opposite (add washers, raise the bars = transfer weight to the front).
I lowered the bar 1 notch and the rocking-like bouncing stopped. I still get a pretty rough ride when I hit bumps in the road but this seems like something I need to fix w/ a spring helper.
The problem now is that the front of the truck is 3/4 inch higher than the rear. No more bouncing but my headlights are hitting the top of the trees.

I purposely moved all the heavy items from the pass through storage and the front of the trailer to the back to lighten the tongue weight as I thought this was the problem initially. It may be worth a try to reset the hitch to what it was when it was bouncing and add weight to the front of the trailer.

If anyone has any other ideas, on how to keep this thing at least leveled and not bouncing, let me know.

Thanks again.

Mike

 

[speediq99]

Thanks.

I am going to play w/ the trailer load a bit by moving some weight up from.

If I hitch up the empty trailer to the Titan w/o an Equalizer hit setup, the rear of the Titan sinks.
I think this has to do w/ the very soft springs in the back of the Titan.

Mike

 

[speediq99]

Thank you that makes sense. I have not had time to play w/ the setup since last weekend.
I do have a question. I am not sure that I know what you mean by pitching the hitch head.
The only way to add a tilt to it is by adding washers. The max washers you can add is 8. I am there already.
Was that what you meant by pitching the hitch head?

Mike