2004 - 2008 F-150

Does hitch cure bed shake?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 06-17-2005, 09:57 PM
Curmugeon's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Oregon City OR
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Does hitch cure bed shake?

Today, I had a Valley Industries (Lodi, CA) light duty (600/6000#) hitch installed on my XLT Screw. While driving home, I noticed the former bed shake was greatly (!) diminished. There is still a very slight side-to-side jiggle, but the conspicuous up-down shake at both corners was eliminated.

Incidentally, this particular hitch installation did not interfere with or require any relocation of the Magnaflow 15834 (dual rear outlet) tailpipe hangers...a great relief since I didn't want to weld them to the frame as the factory hitch requires.
 
  #2  
Old 06-18-2005, 10:29 AM
inbred's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 964
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's all in your head. The only thing that can 'cure' bed 'shake' is to drive on smoother roads. It is actually your cab that is shaking relative to the frame.
 
  #3  
Old 06-18-2005, 10:43 AM
bluestang67's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: New Lenox, ILL.
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
na bed shakes has rattled the hinges on my bed cover to where i have to play radio louder with back slider open . 4 heavy duty hinges to boot.
 
  #4  
Old 06-18-2005, 11:51 AM
Curmugeon's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Oregon City OR
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
inbred...18-20 months ago, when I was the first to notice the 'jello beds' on some (not all) F150s and the topic was a hot thread, I proposed the 'shaking cab vs. bed theory' also. Later, after a few simple tests and observations, I had to admit on this board that I was wrong...as you are. A good, hard whack with the fist on the outermost corner of the bumper of a shaker will confirm that it is the bed that shakes, not the cab relative to the frame. Other tests, e.g. altering the bed load, installing a hitch, moving the spare under my tonneau, observations by many others, etc. etc. all disprove the moving cab theory. Some F150 beds, for one reason or another, shake inordinately.
 
  #5  
Old 06-18-2005, 12:22 PM
GB150's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If it was the cab shaking, wouldn't everything in the mirrors appear to be shaking like the bed?
 
  #6  
Old 06-18-2005, 02:51 PM
MPBTim's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Every pick up Ive had has had a jiggle. My 98 was like that and noticed it much more when I had a cap on it.

I usually look at the road anyway.
 
  #7  
Old 06-18-2005, 04:44 PM
kd4crs's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Central KY
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My bed had a mild case of the shakes and I had the damper installed which reduced it to almost none. I finally cured the shakes completely by having an Undercover put on the bed.

P. S. My truck has the factory hitch.
 

Trending Topics

  #8  
Old 06-18-2005, 05:56 PM
jimmy k's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: new jersey
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by inbred
It's all in your head. The only thing that can 'cure' bed 'shake' is to drive on smoother roads. It is actually your cab that is shaking relative to the frame.

Inbred, after installing my Roll Bak aluminum tonneau cover, the shake is gone totally. It never really was a big deal to me(probably from the stiff frames) but I did notice that it is gone completely.
Sorry, but you are incorrect.
 
  #9  
Old 06-18-2005, 06:42 PM
StAugTonka's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: FL
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
After I had the lift installed, my bed started w/ the shake. Mine does it in the 50-60 range.
 
  #10  
Old 06-18-2005, 09:32 PM
IronDad's Avatar
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not sure how many people have taken Rigid Body Mechanics, FEA, Solid Mechanics, etc, but if you create hard point connects between corners then a more rigid structure is created. ie less movement. Also that structure can absorb vibrations within certain modes and dampen the original vibration.
 
  #11  
Old 06-18-2005, 11:13 PM
GB150's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by IronDad
Not sure how many people have taken Rigid Body Mechanics, FEA, Solid Mechanics, etc, but if you create hard point connects between corners then a more rigid structure is created. ie less movement. Also that structure can absorb vibrations within certain modes and dampen the original vibration.
Huh?
 
  #12  
Old 06-18-2005, 11:54 PM
Curmugeon's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Oregon City OR
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
IronDad...Voila! Just as I said...I added a hitch.
 
  #13  
Old 06-19-2005, 07:13 AM
jpdadeo's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Sunny FL
Posts: 5,409
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I don’t have bed shake. I get truck shake on bumpy roads though.
 
  #14  
Old 06-19-2005, 10:36 AM
suncoast ford's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by jpdadeo
I don’t have bed shake. I get truck shake on bumpy roads though.
 
  #15  
Old 06-19-2005, 01:18 PM
wattman1's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Central TX
Posts: 284
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Talking

My truck BED used to shake, but I put a Bedrug and Retrax on about 2 months ago and I haven't noticed it lately. I wonder if the weight (maybe 50# total) makes a difference. Gonna have to go for a ride and check 'er out.

Hmmm...
 


Quick Reply: Does hitch cure bed shake?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:41 AM.