We definitely have a smoother ride, but why?

[bncinwv]

As all may recall, I have been posting recently about our truck riding like a truck and the solutions that I am looking at. One thing that I now have to report about and have no idea as to the causes is that on our seven hour pull back from getting the new rig, something has changed with the ride. I have only identified three contributing factors. First, new rig, but obviously that should not affect the truck ride unless the suspension somehow changed? Second, pin box is a regular and not extended pin box, so does the reduced cantilever effect change the interaction with the truck hitch. Third, new king pin, does the new king pin change the same interaction with the hitch? Or some mysterious combination of all three. The only thing I know for sure, is that both Cathy and I could tell the difference in the ride and it was a marked improvement. The impact felt in the truck was reduced at least half when hitting bumps and seams in the road.
Bingo

[sreigle]

Bingo, the new fifthwheel could definitely affect the ride of your truck when towing. That chucking motion that some get (most get to some degree) is related to the relationship of the distance between the tar strips on the pavement to the distance between the axles on the truck and the axles on the fifthwheel. I am not an engineer and could not tell you exactly why that is but that's how it was explained to me.

Our first Montana was a 2001 2880RL and we towed it with a 1999 Ford F350 supercab (not crewcab). It has serious chucking. When we traded the 2880 for a 2003 3295RK, the ride smoothed out a bunch. Tow the same fifthwheels with a different truck and maybe the problem is reversed.

It's not just the tar strips but any repetitive breaks or undulations in the pavement.

I don't know this is what you are experiencing but it's a good possibility. In any case, I'm glad to hear the ride is better.

[sambam]

I'm no engineer, but maybe distance between the axles on your truck and trailer would play a part, if different from your previous camper.

[bncinwv]

I measured the difference from the center of the hitch to the front of the rig and it came out to be six inches. Never thought about measuring to the axles.
Bingo

[Mudchief]

Bingo, it has to do with the distance between your truck and the trailer axles. I have different length flat bed trailers that I pull on the farm. When pulling down the same road some will have bad chucking and do a job on your back and others will barely do it.

[HOOK]

I noticed a better ride with the B/S. just thought it was new. now you started me thinking. There has been an upgrade in the suspension from the 3000 to the 4000 Morryde. Maybe that with the wet bolts is enough to improve it. Pat even mentioned it. I like it whatever the reason!

[DQDick]

Don't look a gift ride in the mouth, just enjoy it along with the rest of the new rig.

[Artemus Gordon]

I have the same exact sensation when I wash my truck! Lol. Really it's that "new RV smell" and for the record "Envy" is sinfull, but I definitely am suffering from that, when I think of your new RV! Congratulates and keep sharing, nothing better than new owner imput!!!

[Phil P]

Hi

How about the trailer weighs more so the truck suspension is loaded.

Remember how bad the truck is when you drive it with no trailer?

Our Duramax rides very rough with no load.

Phil P

[bncinwv]

You are correct on the unloaded weight Phil. I am also wondering if pin weight has increased and is helping, but to know that I would have to weigh it, which goes against all my past history and principles!!
Bingo

[mail2us]

Bingo, our new BS does handle better and differently than our 08 3400. Our pin weight is lighter on our model - 3582. I too was told that it could be the axle positioning as the ride or tow is steadier and "smoother" if you will. I do get less mpg as the rig is heavier overall that our older one but not an extreme increase.

[Art-n-Marge]

Finally, someone posts in the forum that something got better, not worse. Congrats on the new rig Bingo. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy (and his wife and kids).

[jlb27537]

Hello All,

Same thing here. On our first few trips with our '14 3150RL and new Ram 3500DRW the ride was terrible. Lots of bouncing up and down in the truck rear and chucking was awful on some roads.

Now, on our trip to S Texas for the winter wife loaded it up as if we were never going home again. Scale weighs show she added about 400 lbs to the pin and about the same to the axles. Now I am down a bit more on the overloads and it really smoothed it out.

Congrats on the new rig.

Jim

[rohrmann]

Not sure, but I'm guessing you have both the Mor-Ryde suspension setup and the Mor-Ryde kingpin? If so, when we traded up from SOB 25ft 5th to our 2012 3402RL with these features, we almost couldn't believe how well behaved to trailer towed, even with the same rigid Reese hitch. Hardly anything moves inside the trailer, and the chucking is quite smooth. Enjoy your new home on wheels.

[Jay Bird]

We did not pull far but I noticed a difference in the pull and breaking and mentioned it to Rosetta on the way home. She said thought it was just her. Whatever it is we like it.

[mlh]

I agree with Artemus Gordon. My truck always rides better when I wash it. I'll bet it would be as smooth as a jet smooth Chevy if I were to wax it. Do you remember the jet smooth Chevy adds. If you do you are getting old but not senile yet.
Lynwood