jerryneal Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Back in Feburary, I posted needing help to smooth out the ride when pulling a 5th wheel. Thanks for the suggestions. Air ride hitch has made the last year of pulls much better. But, rescent travel on I-10 West toward Texas, I beat the dickens out of the rear end of the F350. No overload, well within pin and overall weight, but those I-10 launch ramps going into and off the bridges were just plain wicked. Took the F350 to the dealer this morning to check out the drive train. But, I need to do something to reduce the shock other than driving 10 miles an hour. Need to find a solution before we hit the road toward Livingston next week. Greatly appreciate any suggestions. Jerry and Joan 2014 Ford F350 with 6.7 turbo, TrailerSaver 2014 40' Heartland Gateway Fifth wheel iLoveRVlife.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yarome Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Maybe try adding air bags to your rear suspension. I know what you mean though.. it's a known problem with their approach slabs settling over time. The last I heard TX had something like 52,000 bridges and a good number of them all have the same problem. There had been 'some' talk of trying to use foam blocks under the approaches to help prevent/correct that, but I don't know what ever became of that idea. What kind of suspension do you have on your 5er? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champ_49 Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 To tell you the truth I have tried most everything and nothing on this earth that I know of will fix I-10 or some of our other major highways. I have air bags and it doesn't help one bit. I have had air ride hitch and that hasn't helped. But I will say the hitch was a junk one in the first place. Prototype is what it was and it failed. The best fix I have found is to use the smaller hwys. in the area that there is known problems. If someone comes up or has come up with a fix please let us all know. Thanks Dave Dave & Linda 2011 Bighorn 3670 2000 Ford 7.3 PS diesel white and tan in color Now Fulltiming since May15, 2010 Semper Fi Marines!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I went with HDT solution to that problem... 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 If you are running more than the required air pressure in the tires dropping it to a lower level but still above the minimum for your tires and weight combination may help. Air bags might give a minor improvement by bringing you back closer to your unloaded spring height but I'd not expect anything you'd be happy with for the cost. Have your shocks checked to make sure they are still good, maybe upgrade to a more capable set of shocks. First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryneal Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Yarome, the 5er has a standard 2-axial, 6000lb. Shock doesn't seem to be in the 5er as much as in the rear of the truck. Going to try airbags. Some improvement would be better than nothing. GeorgiaHybrid, wish I could go the HDT route. For some reason the budget gets in the way for now. Stanley, running tires at 65lbs. That's the rate on the tires and vehicle recommendation. Was concerned running to low and risk load and heating up tires. Hear horror stories all the time. Spoke with dealer, no oil on shocks. Don't think they're blown. I spoke with them and asked them to look at a different shock set up. Does anyone know of a better route to Livingston from Lafeyette, LA or do I need to be a big boy and just deal with it? Jerry and Joan 2014 Ford F350 with 6.7 turbo, TrailerSaver 2014 40' Heartland Gateway Fifth wheel iLoveRVlife.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 That 65 PSI is for carrying a full load in the bed, if you are under that less pressure can help. You need to get a load / pressure chart for your tires and have the rear axle weighed to see what can be done. Our pickup was a single and needed the max pressure but our MDT had such a low axle rating that the tire chart didn't go low enough to show it. A call to Michelin was helpful as they explained that the minimum pressure shown on the charts was not related to load but to keeping the tire on the rims. Still dropping from the sidewall and data-plate pressures to the chart suggested pressure helped the ride a good bit with no noticeable increase in heat using my clunky thermometer. Charts: http://www.michelintruck.com/reference-materials/manuals-bulletins-and-warranties/load-and-inflation-tables/#/ First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 When I had my 1 ton dually with Michelin tires pulling a fiver with a 2500 lb pin weight my tire chart stated 55 psi towing ....35 psi not towing. This was for the rears. The front was 65 psi all the time. When I started following this regimen the truck rode a lot smoother. <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryneal Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I'll check with tire manufacture on load. I ran for several months, no load at 45. Huge difference. Jerry and Joan 2014 Ford F350 with 6.7 turbo, TrailerSaver 2014 40' Heartland Gateway Fifth wheel iLoveRVlife.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Air pin box..... air hitch......air bags in suspension..... Tires at right pressure for 3300# pin wight..... Some roads nothing will help..... Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Trying going thru there with a truck maxed out. Mine rode like a sled due to weight. I literally left seat high enough to contact top of cab. Actually that route finally made my mind up on the HDT. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryneal Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Glenn, no kidding. There is a patch of seat fabric missing. I should only be around 15,000 in trailer weight. Understand I can have all weighed in Livingston. Need to work out something on the F350 for now until I can push the HDT on the wish list. Jerry and Joan 2014 Ford F350 with 6.7 turbo, TrailerSaver 2014 40' Heartland Gateway Fifth wheel iLoveRVlife.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I will be coming thru there late January/early February bob tail with my HDT. That's when I pick it up from bed shop. It will be interesting to see the difference. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Greg Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 We take 190 rather than I10. 190 is just north of and parallels I10 from Baton Rouge into Texas and Livingston. It's a good two lane road going through a few small towns. Greg Greg & Judy Bahnmiller Class of 2007 2014 F350 2007 HitchHiker Champagne Both sold 2/19, settled in Foley, AL after 12 years on the road http://bahnmilleradventure.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamRad Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 We recently changed the air pressure on our rear dullay. We had been carrying 80 lbs. Switched to 65 and I believe the lower pressure helps with the ride. Good luck. Dennis Trailer: Montana 5th wheel, model 3582Rl, model year 2012 Truck: Ford 450 PSD Super Duty, 2002 Crew Cab, Long bed, 4:88 rear end, last of the 7.3 engines, Automatic Transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 All I ran was 65 with dually on Chevy 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief 62 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 I would look into the Kelderman System. I put one on a F 550 I had that I towed an 18K Mobile Suite with and it made a huge difference. For some reason I can't post the link, but it is Kelderman.com Gary & Penny 2015 Lance 1172 2005 Chevy 3500 2013 Bass Tracker 190 Pro Team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 I would look into the Kelderman System. I put one on a F 550 I had that I towed an 18K Mobile Suite with and it made a huge difference. For some reason I can't post the link, but it is Kelderman.com Interesting... Did you have the two or four point system? And , I wonder if that would interfere with my 5th wheel rail mounting plates..... Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 I tell people that we fell off a bridge on I-10. On one of the overpasses in Louisiana when we left a bridge section and dropped back onto the road way we literally fell. A patch had been torn out making the drop in the 10-12" range. We pulled over to check for damage on the truck and trailer springs and luckily didn't have anything major..... until we opened the rv door and saw all the cabinets and drawers open. There were scrub marks in both truck rear wheels and camper wheel wells where the tires bottomed out. MorRyde IS on the RV is the best way to go, Air hitch, great shocks, good seats all help too. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief 62 Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Interesting... Did you have the two or four point system? And , I wonder if that would interfere with my 5th wheel rail mounting plates..... If I remember correctly it was the two point system and I had no problems with the 5th wheel mounting plates. Gary & Penny 2015 Lance 1172 2005 Chevy 3500 2013 Bass Tracker 190 Pro Team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp093018 Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Is it just on concrete roadbeds ? If so, it could be the harmonics set up by the distance between the joints and the wheelbase of your vehicles...."Some roads nothing will help....." Years ago, I-40 east of OKC, the road was so bad for my particular set up (Dodge 3500 w/airbags+20' cargo trailer), the harmonics were so bad, I had to hold on to the shift lever to keep it reasonably still. Regards Gemstone '06 Elite Suites, '08 Softail Classic, '06 Softail Deuce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57becky Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 When we upgraded to our larger 5er a few years ago, it came with a Mor Ryde pin box, which was a huge improvement over the old fixed box on the old 5er. Maybe with a new pin box to go with the air hitch, you might get a smoother ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohamer Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 I was out in West Texas, went to Ft Davis and Big Bend area, we got on I-10 for a while and decided to get off, it was banging up the MH pretty bad. We got off on the regular hiways, no problem then. For some of those roads, I think all we can do is to hope they rebuild the road soon. John in Joplin Southwind 35P ARS KB0OU EX Submarine driver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 Yarome, the 5er has a standard 2-axial, 6000lb. Shock doesn't seem to be in the 5er as much as in the rear of the truck. Going to try airbags. Some improvement would be better than nothing. GeorgiaHybrid, wish I could go the HDT route. For some reason the budget gets in the way for now. Stanley, running tires at 65lbs. That's the rate on the tires and vehicle recommendation. Was concerned running to low and risk load and heating up tires. Hear horror stories all the time. Spoke with dealer, no oil on shocks. Don't think they're blown. I spoke with them and asked them to look at a different shock set up. Does anyone know of a better route to Livingston from Lafeyette, LA or do I need to be a big boy and just deal with it? Few shocks these days contain hyd. oil, most are compressed gas = no oil in there to leak. I run Rancho 5000, lifetime warranty shocks on my Chevy dually, bought from Sears. Since purchase, Sears has replaced them 2X so far. A heavy 5er (I used to travel with a 40' 5er) is IMO, the harshest thing that can happen to shocks. That makes 3 sets of 4 shocks in 140,000 miles of towing. 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryneal Posted January 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 Thanks all for the comments. Let me reply to several. Thanks for the Hyw 190 suggestion. Was wondering if this is good road. Planning to leave New Iberia north on I45 and looks to be a short trip to Livingston using 190.. Question about the road. It's really amazing. Due to poor soil and probably lack of maintenance, alternating concrete slabs can have 3 to 4 inches in vertical shift causing quite a shock. Actually got out of the truck at a red light to look at the road. There are sections that can repeat every other slab for miles. This will be my last trip on I10 and lower Louisiana State roads for sometime. I have a Hensley Trailer Saver. Has worked well on bad road, but these roads are in a totally different class. Had air bags added to the rear axle yesterday and crossing my fingers this we'll help, but convinced the only solution is to get off these roads as soon as possible. On tire pressure, I've been running Generals for a year and a half at 65 lbs per door chart. Haven't had much success finding a tire chart on the web. Also thought about adding Sulastic Shackles but couldn't find a dealer in the area. May try to add when I return to Georgia late March. Jerry and Joan 2014 Ford F350 with 6.7 turbo, TrailerSaver 2014 40' Heartland Gateway Fifth wheel iLoveRVlife.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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