I have an 06 that I love driving, except when I'm towing my tent camper. The ride is excessively bouncy. The tent camper is around 3K lbs and the tongue weight is well under the limits. I used to tow this with my 95 van and it was smooth as silk. I shouldn't need WD bars added on for a pop up! Would air shocks help? I have the towing package and noticed that some other models had air shocks as an option. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Bouncy Ride When Towing
- Thread starter iamanomad
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CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
Welcome. You have a few options. But first, what kinda van? An E350 Ford or a Caravan? Big difference...
If it was a minivan then I would suggest verifying the drop on the hitch. When the vehicle is loaded does the trailer sit dead level or nose high or low? Is that how it sat on the van? I'd start there; it's the cheapest thing to experiment with.
:cheers:
If it was a minivan then I would suggest verifying the drop on the hitch. When the vehicle is loaded does the trailer sit dead level or nose high or low? Is that how it sat on the van? I'd start there; it's the cheapest thing to experiment with.
:cheers:
iamanomad said:
I disagree with that comment to a large extent. Should you need them? No, not by all the older standards...but using them on any trailer of appreciable weight is the way to go now. I grew up along a stretch of I95 in NC and for years have seen wrecks where people let their trailers get out of control (swaying and bobbing). Most of the vehicles weren't overloaded...but between the natural air flow, and that in a pack of traffic on the interstate zipping along anywhere from 60-80mph, a WD system would make a world of difference - even on loads perceived to be "light". Whereas you see "light" in a 3k lb trailer, I see roughly the weight of a Corvette.
Having towed trailers on and off for the better part of 25 years now, I can say that I do not care how heavy or small a load is perceived to be, but a WD system and trailer brakes are almost a must for anything I tow now, just for safety's sake. The only things I tow now that I do not use a WD system and TBs on are my PWC and my bass boat...The boat weighs 2200 lbs loaded and trailered (and actually came with factory TBs on the trailer)...the PWC/trailer, <1000 lbs, and they're both low profile. My camper (19' Roo with slideout) and my enclosed (Featherlight) utility trailer are both equipped with WD and TB - and both tow like absolute dreams behind my Tundra and Trailblazer...I haven't towed with the T4R yet, it still only has 600 miles on it...Give me time though...I am already looking for the perfect TB controller to install in it.
Personally, I would try a trailer-side WD system first, before I started looking to drop some serious $$ on the air-bag suspension for your 4R, but that's just me. I just implore you to rethink a 1.5 ton load as being "too light" for options such as WD and even TBs. Adding the brakes alone will save much wear and tear on your tow vehicle.
