Bouncing While Towing

[MSearles]

Towed my RV a few times now (about 5K lbs), I do have the Ford installed brake controller and a weight distributing hitch. I've noticed that I get some bouncing of the rear of the truck/front of trailer, but only while traveling on highways that are concrete paved. Anyone else notice this? Any of you with a lot more experience towing have any advice to stop this? If it goes on for an extended period, I may get sea sick!

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[Deleted member 1634]

This is a road problem, not necessarily a Ranger or towing problem. The Ranger's suspension may exacerbate it a bit, but you'd feel it in any vehicle. It's a problem with the way they make the road, and how the road has worn and buckled over time. It does get very annoying. Especially when you hit that natural frequency that just keeps it going and going.

The only advice I have to stop this is to take a different route and avoid those types of roads as much as possible. That's the only solution I've found. I've tried slowing down, speeding up, moving to one side of the lane or the other. Nothing seems to help. Frustrating for sure, but that's all I've got based on my experience.

 

[Obijack]

Get different suspension in the rear.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Get different suspension in the rear.

That may help a bit, but I've had it happen while towing in every vehicle I've ever towed with. 2006 Mercury Montego, 1998 Ford Windstar, 2014 Subaru Crosstrek, 2016 Ford F-150, 2019 Ford Ranger, 1994 Ford Explorer, 1996 Chevy Silverado.

There are just roads out there that are bad. Especially concrete slab freeways.

 

[Big Blue]

That may help a bit, but I've had it happen while towing in every vehicle I've ever towed with. 2006 Mercury Montego, 1998 Ford Windstar, 2014 Subaru Crosstrek, 2016 Ford F-150, 2019 Ford Ranger, 1994 Ford Explorer, 1996 Chevy Silverado.

There are just roads out there that are bad. Especially concrete slab freeways.

Yeah suspension may help, but it Can't fix bad roads. The term I've heard for it is potato chipping, fits pretty well.

 

[BassRanger]

First thing would be making sure the WDH is setup correctly. You may have too much tension or too large of spring bars transferring too much weight off the rear axle.

 

[Jerry Caldwell]

I had the same problem with my 4x2 and much worse on my FX4 which was totaled in March. I changed out my rear shocks to Eibach and that has made a massive difference. I plan to change out the front shocks as well since I feel the front bouncing more than I used to. This is not a cure for bad roads, but it did make a huge improvement. Now when I hit a dip it is one bounce and done. I think it will be even better when I get the front Eibachs.

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