Like riding on eggs after return from 5500 mile trip towing 5er

[b1lanc]

We just returned from a 5500 mile trip from New England to Montana and back. Before we left, I put new Michelin tires on. No problems on the trip except my mpg was terrible with all of the head and crosswinds. 5th wheel weighs in at 15.5K. Get home and disconnect and 37-42 mph, the truck rhythmically bounces. Brought it back to have tires rotated and balance checked. All good and I watched them spin the wheels. But the bounce I get out of what feels like the rear is now so annoying that it's enough to make me ill. I have no idea where to look next. If I had some magical suspension gear, I'd swear the truck still thinks the 5th wheel is attached - it is now that stiff - but the truck is stock except for a Titan fuel tank. No vibrations at high speed but a sickening bounce at low speeds on any smooth road. Truck has 28K on it and this is new since returning. Back to the dealer I suspect but just curious if anyone else has experienced same.
TIA

 

[Billet Bee]

I have. We ful time rv with our 27k fiver and I'm at 22,000 miles. I just replaced the nexens on my steer axle because the lt front was wearing like an egg which created a hell of a hoppy vibration. So i replaced my steer tires and had a front end alignment. Come to find out ( besides the nexens are junk which we all know) my lt front was a few degrees off which i can't make any sense of since I don't hit pot holes and it would be hard as hell to do a curb job with the front lt.

 

[Irishthreeper]

I’m wondering if the rear shocks are the issue? Those cross and headwinds in the Dakotas and Montana can be wicked, my MPG with our 5W dropped from 9+ to 7.5 a couple of times. Good luck with the trouble shooting, let us know when it’s resolved for everyone’s knowledge.

 

[Billet Bee]

I’m wondering if the rear shocks are the issue? Those cross and headwinds in the Dakotas and Montana can be wicked, my MPG with our 5W dropped from 9+ to 7.5 a couple of times. Good luck with the trouble shooting, let us know when it’s resolved for everyone’s knowledge.

Ours is auto leveling rear air bag suspension and it rides great, now the front is a different story. Mine has been all over the board as well, anywhere from 7.5-9.5 mpg while towing with a gcwr of 37k, 13-15.5 mpg with truck alone.
Fyi , 410 gear so i fully expect mpg to be crappy but I didn't build this truck to get good mileage so it's doing its intended job

 

[Bearcatrp]

I have. We ful time rv with our 27k fiver and I'm at 22,000 miles. I just replaced the nexens on my steer axle because the lt front was wearing like an egg which created a hell of a hoppy vibration. So i replaced my steer tires and had a front end alignment. Come to find out ( besides the nexens are junk which we all know) my lt front was a few degrees off which i can't make any sense of since I don't hit pot holes and it would be hard as hell to do a curb job with the front lt.

Your pulling a 5th wheel weighing 27k with a 1 ton?

 

[gofishn]

We just returned from a 5500 mile trip from New England to Montana and back. Before we left, I put new Michelin tires on. No problems on the trip except my mpg was terrible with all of the head and crosswinds. 5th wheel weighs in at 15.5K. Get home and disconnect and 37-42 mph, the truck rhythmically bounces. Brought it back to have tires rotated and balance checked. All good and I watched them spin the wheels. But the bounce I get out of what feels like the rear is now so annoying that it's enough to make me ill. I have no idea where to look next. If I had some magical suspension gear, I'd swear the truck still thinks the 5th wheel is attached - it is now that stiff - but the truck is stock except for a Titan fuel tank. No vibrations at high speed but a sickening bounce at low speeds on any smooth road. Truck has 28K on it and this is new since returning. Back to the dealer I suspect but just curious if anyone else has experienced same.
TIA

If it feels like the rear, probably the front causing it.

rear end is pretty darn basic. Front end gets alot more complicated.

 

[Billet Bee]

Your pulling a 5th wheel weighing 27k with a 1 ton?

Yup, I'm rated up to a 34k trailer. Pulls and stops Like butta

 

[gsfitzsr]

You could jack up the rear and put it on jack stands. Then start the truck, disable the anti-lock brakes, put into gear and slowly accelerate to the speed where the problem starts. If something is out of round like the tire rim or axle hub, it should shake the bed like hell. Since you rotated the tires I bet the wheel/tire setup is good. I've done this before with my 2500 CTD and the bed did not shake at all, completely smooth.

 

[Elkman]

A failing tire, usually the beads shifting, can still be balanced at a tire shop. One or more of your tires likely needs to be replaced.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Yup, I'm rated up to a 34k trailer. Pulls and stops Like butta

You will find out the hard way when you have to lock it up to avoid a accident. That trailer is to heavy for a 1 ton. Don’t care for what’s it’s rated for. Engine may pull it but that’s not everything to consider.

 

[gofishn]

You will find out the hard way when you have to lock it up to avoid a accident. That trailer is to heavy for a 1 ton. Don’t care for what’s it’s rated for. Engine may pull it but that’s not everything to consider.

It ain't how much can I get moving, it's how much can I stop.
Locomotive Engineers learn that lesson damn quick.

 

[Billet Bee]

You will find out the hard way when you have to lock it up to avoid a accident. That trailer is to heavy for a 1 ton. Don’t care for what’s it’s rated for. Engine may pull it but that’s not everything to consider.

So what other things need to be considered, brakes, axles, joints, air bags, structure. No where does it say in the fine print that your engine can pull 34k but other components will fail several thousand pounds before that. What it says is that this particular vehicle can safely handle a trailer of this weight. Plus we all know that those numbers which are set by the manufacturer are not numbers that are putting customers right on the ragged edge of a catastrophe, there numbers to protect us from ourselves and if it says If I can get all my numbers below or right at there ratings then my equipment can safely operate.
These trucks today are not your dodge duelly of the 1980's and they can literally take 3 times the amount that they use to.
I appreciate your concern for me and my equipment and all those around me but thousands of people everyday are hot shotting around America hauling more weight then me with out issue and I'm under or at all my capacities and have decades worth of commercial driving behind me and the law , manufacturer , and myself says I'm good to go.
So that we don't high jack this thread anymore then what we already have, if you feal the need to continue to debate vehicle capabilities then maybe you can pm me or start a new thread

 

[Timsdually]

I have. We ful time rv with our 27k fiver and I'm at 22,000 miles. I just replaced the nexens on my steer axle because the lt front was wearing like an egg which created a hell of a hoppy vibration. So i replaced my steer tires and had a front end alignment. Come to find out ( besides the nexens are junk which we all know) my lt front was a few degrees off which i can't make any sense of since I don't hit pot holes and it would be hard as hell to do a curb job with the front lt.

Not to derail, but i had to add I had a front Nexen break a belt this summer and it caused the tire to get a hump in it. When it first happened it felt like the wheel lugs were loose and the wheel was going to fall off. Dealer said he could put another Nexen on under warranty. Uh, no thanks.
Needless to say I put a new set of Bridgestone Duravis' on.