jerky ride with Reese Dual Cam HP?

[boubou]

We got the Reese Dual Cam HP installed today (except for the sway control, part didn't come in yet)
had a hard time with install, the A frame on Shasta Revere is really wide and had to end up putting the chains on last link after changing the angle on the ball to give it more play.
The sway control will give us an extra link or two to play with when installed.
My problem is that when driving, it feels like the truck is jerking rhythmically. like tug of war. What causes this?

[KyDan]

Not sure what to say.... some of that is normal I think. It's hard to express something
like that. What is a "little" or a "lot" of bounce? I guess I'm not helping.... mine does
it a bit and after a while we get used to it. Of course it's worse on bumpy or choppy
pavement. Not much at all on smooth roads.
Some folks have what's called a rocking horse feel. I do a little. I added airbags to
get a level ride when I'm hauling my motorcycle with the trailer. They don't seem
to make much difference if I've got them full of air or nearly empty as far
as minimizing that rocky horse feel.

When you put a trailer on the back of your truck it's gonna change how it rides.
I hope yours isn't too severe!

Good Luck!!

[boubou]

That's the feeling we get, like a rocking horse but not too severe, it took me a while to notice it. Would you think it a safety issue? Would you think it might feel better when trailer loaded?

[KyDan]

I think it's normal for this type hitch.
In fact I had some rocky horse feel with a much smaller trailer
towed with a little Chevy S10 blazer and just a regular receiver
hitch. I had one friction flat bar anti sway on that one and it worked
fine.
The first few miles you'd notice a bit of bouncy feel and after that
you sort of forget it's there.

I think it goes with the territory!

[caper]

I had the rocking horse feeling ended up putting stronger bars on. Went form 800# to 1000# rocking gone. I have the husky round bar system.

[acadianbob]

Is it an up and down motion or a front and back motion? If front and back, it has nothing to do with the hitch. Up and down can happen especially if the road you are towing on is not flat. If the road is good, it is possible that your setup is too stiff; thereby translating every road movement. Your bars should be well matched to your tongue weight. e.g. You shouldn't have 1,200 pound bars on a 500 pound hitch weight.

[boubou]

Front and back motion
Tongue weight of trailer is 750 lbs
800 lbs bars

[caper]

I would go to the dealer and ask to try 1000 lb bars. you are very close to the limit of the bars. That is the same problem that I had. The 750 lbs is that weight from weigh scales of the weight from Forest River.

[boubou]

Originally Posted by caper

I would go to the dealer and ask to try 1000 lb bars. you are very close to the limit of the bars. That is the same problem that I had. The 750 lbs is that weight from weigh scales of the weight from Forest River.

How much does your bar weigh compared to your tong?

[caper]

My tong unloaded was 735lb. have not weighed since TT was loaded.

[boubou]

Thanks Caper, I guess I'll have to give that a try. Are the bars the same length? different install again?

[caper]

They are the same length. There should be little difference in the setup. Because the bars are heavier you might need less links. Other then that everything is the same. I had a white knuckle ride before changing the bars.

[caper]

The bar length is the same. The only difference is the weight of the bars. Because of the heavier bars you might use less links.

[boubou]

Originally Posted by caper

They are the same length. There should be little difference in the setup. Because the bars are heavier you might need less links. Other then that everything is the same. I had a white knuckle ride before changing the bars.

I wouldn't call it a white knuckle ride but I didn't think it was quite normal.
I'll change them over.
Thanks

[KyDan]

Sounds like Terry is on the right track.
You are near the top of your bar weight rating.
If I were you, I'd try the stiffer bars.

In my case I'm at about 450 on the tongue and don't think I want
bars rated higher than 800.

Good luck!

[boubou]

Less links? I' m on the very first one! Meaning the 800 lbs can barely attach it's so stiff. Arg confusing.
At the dealer site they say tongue weight 750 lbs. I did not weigh it but assume it's empty
Might not be able to attach 1200 lbs (reese goes from 800 to 1200).

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by boubou

We got the Reese Dual Cam HP installed today (except for the sway control, part didn't come in yet)
had a hard time with install, the A frame on Shasta Revere is really wide and had to end up putting the chains on last link after changing the angle on the ball to give it more play.
The sway control will give us an extra link or two to play with when installed.
My problem is that when driving, it feels like the truck is jerking rhythmically. like tug of war. What causes this?

Originally Posted by boubou

Less links? I' m on the very first one! Meaning the 800 lbs can barely attach it's so stiff.
At the dealer site they say tongue weight 750 lbs. I did not weigh it but assume it's empty
Might not be able to attach 1200 lbs (reese goes from 800 to 1200).

Huh ??? The 1st post indicates the last link, and the last post indicates the 1st link. I am confused.

There should be a minimum of 5 links of chain under tension between the spring bar or dual cam to the snap up bracket. More links are good, less is bad. How many lengths of chain do you have between these 2 points ??

If the listed dry weight of the tongue is 750 lbs., then the loaded tongue weight might be in the neighborhood of 900 lbs. 800 lb. bars will not handle that kinda weight.....1200 lb. bars may be needed. I travel with a 700 lb. tongue weight and 800 lb. spring bars, and feel that that is about the maximum those bars will manage.

How about a photo of your setup ??? A picture of the hitch including the reciever and trailer tongue, as well as a total shot of the TV and TT on fairly level ground would be great.

[boubou]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Huh ??? The 1st post indicates the last link, and the last post indicates the 1st link. I am confused.

There should be a minimum of 5 links of chain under tension between the spring bar or dual cam to the snap up bracket. More links are good, less is bad. How many lengths of chain do you have between these 2 points ??

If the listed dry weight of the tongue is 750 lbs., then the loaded tongue weight might be in the neighborhood of 900 lbs. 800 lb. bars will not handle that kinda weight.....1200 lb. bars may be needed. I travel with a 700 lb. tongue weight and 800 lb. spring bars, and feel that that is about the maximum those bars will manage.

How about a photo of your setup ??? A picture of the hitch including the reciever and trailer tongue, as well as a total shot of the TV and TT on fairly level ground would be great.

Sorry about the confusion, might have something to do with my own confusion lol

The bars are using all the links, as it is on the very first link so I guess that's good, lots of clearance. That will change once the Dual cam sway control gets installed (they weren't in yet and had to bring the trailer home).
I called Reese and they too agreed about getting the 1200 lbs bars so I will get them changed to those.
I'll take a picture when it's hooked up again.

[MtnGuy]

If you have all of the links under stress between snap up brackets and the spring bars, then you may be able to use 1 link less (under stress) and get better weight distributing for the time being before you get the 1200 lb spring bars. You may also be able to tilt the head assembly forward, and use even less links if ground clearance is a problem.

You will probably need to adjust everything, and do the fender measurements again once you get the 1200 lb. bars.

I got 800 lb. bars with my setup, and kept tilting the hear assembly back to get the proper weight distributing with my 700 lb. tongue weight. I bought 1200 lb. bars, but after a couple of trips I felt they were just too stiff. I also had a rub problem with the spring bars and the dual cam yoke, so per Reese, I went with a 1" raised ball. I was able to go back to the 800 lb. spring bars, with the head assembly tilted all of the way back, and now "just barely" get the lift that I need with 5 links of chain under stress. With your listed dry weight of 750 lbs. on the tongue, I can see where you can be having the problem. The 1200 lb. bars will probably be a much better fit.

[acadianbob]

A cushioned weight distribution insert might help your front and back motion issue.

Convert-A-Ball Cushioned Weight Distribution Shank for 2" Hitches - 10,000 lbs Convert-A-Ball Accessories and Parts AMAC1

I use this insert and it works well for me. Good luck!