Bounce When Towing TT on Segmented Highways

We just got our 2022 Tundra SR5 4x4 and pulled home a 5500# dual axle travel trailer hooked to a Fastway E2 WD hitch. It pulled the trailer with no issues with one exception. On an older segmented highway, things got to bouncing pretty bad. I slowed down and things settled down, but is there a suspension upgrade I could consider to take the bounce down a notch or three? I probably will need to pull the thing a few more times (trailer has been winterized, so I'll have to wait for spring!), but I would like a list of things to consider when it comes time. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

how fast were you driving before slow down ?

 

I'm guessing 65 or so, then slowed down to below 60. Not the end of the world.

 

What weight bars do you have? Did you set up your hitch or a dealer. I pull a 23', 6,000# trailer with a 21 using the E2 and 800# bars. So far I've only found one road the had the right distance between joints that matched the harmonics of my rig. It wasn't bad but noticeable. It's a combination of distance between axles and the natural harmonic of the rig. Speed changes get you in and out of that sweet spot.. Or sour spot.
Having the proper WDH setup helps damp it but unfortunately I don't think it's possible to ever eliminate it.

 

This is the hitch info: https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution-Hitch/Fastway/FA94-00-1000.html

Dealer set it up. I've only pulled the trailer once--just a 90 mile trip from the dealer to the storage facility.

Maybe I'll get a feel for how to handle it with more miles just by adjusting my speed. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Dealers seem to sell the 10,000 # hitch for everything 5 tons and under. I would be cautious using bars that heavy especially with the problems Lippert is having with their frames bending. Download the manual online and once you get the trailer and truck loaded as you would for camping, do a start to finish adjustment on your hitch. Make sure you lubricate the round bar where it fits in the hitch but do not lube the interface where the spring bar slides on the L bracket. You might ask the dealer to exchange the spring bars for lighter 800 pound bars. If your trailer is 5,500 # fully loaded you would do fine with the 600 # bars.

 

Thanks for the response. The trailer is 5500# completely empty. So, you're saying that moving down to the 800# bars might help the highway bounce?

I will download and take a look at the manual first, of course. That and driving things around a few more times are the lowest cost options, so might as well rule those out first before looking at lighter bars

 

If your gross weight is up around 7,500 than the 10,000 pound bars aren't far away and you should be OK. If the bounce involves a bending action at the hitch the heavier bars should actually help that.
When your trailer is connected make a 360* turn with the steering wheel at the stop and get out while in that turn to check where the spring bar lays in the L bracket saddle. The heavier bars work best if the end of the bar just barely extends past the L brackets. If the L brackets are mounted too far forward it has the same affect as having heavier spring bars. It's best to do this exercise with someone standing on the inside of the turn to make sure the truck doesn't interfere with the trailer. My Tundra gets closer to a jackknife than I ever expected.

 

I agree with making sure it is setup properly but sometimes you just need to slow down. I leave myself plenty of time and never get in a hurry while towing.