Rough Ride

[firestation12]

Feel free to hijack. That seems on-topic to me. And I’m interested too!

So it’s been several days since taking the camper to have the tires balanced. Did it help? Did the tire shop find a culprit out of balance tire?

 

[dedmiston]

So it’s been several days since taking the camper to have the tires balanced. Did it help? Did the tire shop find a culprit out of balance tire?

Yep. I actually posted yesterday.

(or maybe this morning?)

The balancing seems to have made a big difference. I don't think we're "there" yet, but balancing was a big help.

 

[Montie]

On the topic of smooth rides has anyone ever tried sumo springs on their trailer? I considered them for my Hideout fifth wheel along with a Dexter ez flex equalizer. I bought the equalizer kit but never installed them. Then traded the Hideout for the Montana about a month ago. Etrailer had both kits listed as fitting the Hideout but I can’t even check parts for the 2025 Montana. Maybe too new for them? Also as a Chevy service tech my experience is good (or bad) tires can make a huge difference on ride quality. I installed Goodyear endurance on the Hideout after the oem China bombs had tread separation. I was disappointed to find very little choice in tires in the st235/80/16 size.

 

[klassic]

On the topic of smooth rides has anyone ever tried sumo springs on their trailer? I considered them for my Hideout fifth wheel along with a Dexter ez flex equalizer. I bought the equalizer kit but never installed them. Then traded the Hideout for the Montana about a month ago. Etrailer had both kits listed as fitting the Hideout but I can’t even check parts for the 2025 Montana. Maybe too new for them? Also as a Chevy service tech my experience is good (or bad) tires can make a huge difference on ride quality. I installed Goodyear endurance on the Hideout after the oem China bombs had tread separation. I was disappointed to find very little choice in tires in the st235/80/16 size.

I tried Sumo Springs for two rides, then took them off. They made the trailer bounce more and didn't help anywhere else. There was stuff thrown about in the trailer that had never moved before.
They are just another uncontrolled spring added to the uncontrolled leaf springs.
This is why I put on the Road Masters. (Seen in my picture above)
I sold the Sumos for a 1/4 of what I paid. Their 60 day money back guarantee means nothing, as they have to be still unused in the package.

If you have the room you can put on 235/85.
My NorthPoint came with 80’s and I put on the Endurance 85’s to replace the China bombs.
See pic..I now have a much better space between for using my RotoChoks, which I couldn’t use with the 80’s because the space was too big.
I was also trying to gain more height on the trailer, and that gave me 1/2”

 

[dedmiston]

I tried Sumo Springs for two rides, then took them off. They made the trailer bounce more and didn't help anywhere else. There was stuff thrown about in the trailer that had never moved before.
They are just another uncontrolled spring added to the uncontrolled leaf springs.
This is why I put on the Road Masters. (Seen in my picture above)
I sold the Sumos for a 1/4 of what I paid. Their 60 day money back guarantee means nothing, as they have to be still unused in the package.

If you have the room you can put on 235/85.
My NorthPoint came with 80’s and I put on the Endurance 85’s to replace the China bombs.
See pic..I now have a much better space between for using my RotoChoks, which I couldn’t use with the 80’s because the space was too big.
I was also trying to gain more height on the trailer, and that gave me 1/2”

Wow. You still have your RotoChocks? Good for you. What a great product. I’m so sorry that the couple who made them passed away and their kids let the product fade away. They’re built well and work like a champ. I gave away my last set 9 years ago when we sold our first toy hauler and they didn’t fit the new ones.

 

[DutchmenSport]

I did not read all the posts. When I get new tires for the camper, I always have them balanced, even though "they" say it's not necessary for a trailer. I tell them I want them balanced anyway.

Oh, the trailer still shakes, rattles, and rolls. It bounces, it vibrates, it shakes when rolling down the road. Regardless of the suspension, it's still an earthquake in grand scale going on "back there." Every time a transition joint on the interstate is hit when crossing a bridge, I can hear and feel the trailer pounding down on the truck. Yet, I find it interesting that a cup of water left on the counter will still be sitting there. Or an ink pin will still be on the counter and not on the floor, but a piece of furniture will be on the opposite side of the camper.

 

[klassic]

Wow. You still have your RotoChocks? Good for you. What a great product. I’m so sorry that the couple who made them passed away and their kids let the product fade away. They’re built well and work like a champ. I gave away my last set 9 years ago when we sold our first toy hauler and they didn’t fit the new ones.

Yeah, I was bummed when my RotoChoks didn’t fit when I got my new NorthPoint in 2015. I resorted to those large plastic wedges before I went with bigger tires.
One site I was on was made of hard packed/loose screenings and had a bit of a grade to it. When I was re hitching I wasn’t high enough and just bumped the pin box a little bit. The trailer started sliding backwards pushing the chocks, and the one plastic chock got crushed, the other one slid sideways a bit and shot out like a bullet to the other side of the next site. Good thing no one was there.
I didn’t have SnapPads at the time, so the metal landing gear pads slid like they were in ice.

There used to be a site where RotoChoks could be sold and traded for different sizes. I almost sold them.
It’s hard to believe the kids let them die and Lippert didn’t pay big money for the patent.

 

[klassic]

I did not read all the posts. When I get new tires for the camper, I always have them balanced, even though "they" say it's not necessary for a trailer. I tell them I want them balanced anyway.

Oh, the trailer still shakes, rattles, and rolls. It bounces, it vibrates, it shakes when rolling down the road. Regardless of the suspension, it's still an earthquake in grand scale going on "back there." Every time a transition joint on the interstate is hit when crossing a bridge, I can hear and feel the trailer pounding down on the truck. Yet, I find it interesting that a cup of water left on the counter will still be sitting there. Or an ink pin will still be on the counter and not on the floor, but a piece of furniture will be on the opposite side of the camper.

If you missed post #14 on page 1, maybe that’s your problem.
I’m curious now if mine got balanced properly, judging by the amount of weight they put on I’m thinking not.

The shop told me too we don’t ever balance trailer tires, but didn’t have a problem doing it.

 

[Monte421]

The shop told me too we don’t ever balance trailer tires, but didn’t have a problem doing it.

Stupidest thing I've ever heard, might as well never balance any tire then.

 

[20TwoAdv]

I’ve got a 45’ triple axle toy hauler that rides perfectly smoothly. My wife keeps a vase of flowers in the sink and it never spills a drop. I leave stuff on the counters all the time no-problem.

Our smaller/lighter Montana rides like a 6.8 earthquake inside.

I took it to my local hitch specialist yesterday to see what he recommended. He’s expensive, but he’s always done great work on our toy hauler. I figured he’d want to sell me an upgraded hitch and maybe suspension upgrades.

He looked at the Montana and said it’s the tires. He said to balance the tires and that should do it.

I’m at the tire shop this morning and they looked at me like I had three heads. They’re going to balance the tires anyway since they enjoy money.

Does anyone else here have issues with rough rides? How have you addressed it? It’s not that I’m a sissy and can’t take the ride, but I’m worried that the ride is going to play **** with this coach and shorten its life.

Hello,
I’m very curious if the tire balancing made a difference. We have a ‘24 Montana 3531RE and it rides like a log wagon, shaking things loose and breaking tv mounts.

We just installed the Roadmaster slipper spring system, shocks and Morryde hanger bracket cross braces. Have not had it on a road trip since the upgrade but now wondering about the tire balancing.

 

[dedmiston]

Hello,
I’m very curious if the tire balancing made a difference. We have a ‘24 Montana 3531RE and it rides like a log wagon, shaking things loose and breaking tv mounts.

We just installed the Roadmaster slipper spring system, shocks and Morryde hanger bracket cross braces. Have not had it on a road trip since the upgrade but now wondering about the tire balancing.

Not really. We even had to spend some $$$ recently to run a new ground to our thermostat after it quit working. Somehow the ground mysteriously ungrounded itself and I blame the rough ride.

 

[twindman]

I too have arrived at my next stop with a glass of water on the counter. Still there and no spillage I could see. I also get my tires a local place that balances for free. I have always balance my tires since 2006. It seems to have worked and if it is free, why not.

 

[jim.thurber13]

Of anyone is thinking about getting your tires balanced and you have 16” rims and disc brakes, watch your gap between the caliper and the rim. There is very little room.
On my second set of balanced tires, they used a slightly thicker stick on weights on two of the wheels and they hit the caliper.
They need to be the thin style stick on

I had Hankook tires installed with balance beads in the tires vs weights, rides smooth as butter