Hi all,

I just got a new 25foot Fleetwood Wilderness. It's my first trailer ever and I got the brake controller, sway control, and level bars (I think that's what they're called.

Anyhow when driving on the freeway I get a lot of bouncing. I have a 4x4 w/ orp package. Can I add more air in the tires or something or do I just have to get used to it.

thanks for any help.

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99 F150 Xtracab 4X4 XLT
5.4 liter Flairside
3.73 gears
all stock for now

 

What kind of sway/level bars did you get??
When we first got our trailer we had to hook it up (in the rain of course) and just hope that we got the equalizer bars on and adjusted correctly. It seemed to drive pretty good but still not quite right. We drove straight to the place I bought the www.equalizerhitch.com bars from and they adjusted them to the correct setting. We only were off by one movement of the adjuster, But it made a really huge difference in driving. What we thought was pretty good turned out to be much better when it got adjusted. Now when the really big rigs pass me, I can still tell they are going by but I don't feel like I'm gonna die at any second

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2k F250 CC SWB 6 speed 4x2 Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
TT Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps
265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd, rechargable MagLite
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate, quick disconnect jumper cables
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate) Western Diesel Turbo Brake (whoa boy)
Finally gauges!!: Pyrometer & Boost on the A-Pillar mount

 

They are weight distrobution bars and that is the problem with bounce. You need to go up a chain link to stiffen them up a bit. I have to us the trailer tounge jack to raise the hitch up enough so I can lock the bars in-place I have very little bounce when it's set-up right.

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GOLD RUSH

'99 F150 XLT SC SB 4x2 Harvest Gold
Factory[*]5.4[*]3.55 limited slip[*]Trailer towing package[*]In-dash CD player
Aftermarket[*]Ford Beanie bear[*]Slip on extender mirrors[*]Powerstop brake controller[*]Covermaster C1000 topper with wing[*]BugflectorII[*]Ventvisors (front&rear)[*]3 www.f150online.com decals[*]Ford Lumi Logo[*]Steelhorse Billet grill[*]Ford hitch cover[*]Yellow wire loom[*]Hyper White head light bulb[*]Fender badge on tailgate[*]Painted to match AVS slotted taillight covers[*]Ford system 4 alarm[*]Clear turn signals[*]"Blazer" strip reflectors under tailgate[*]FORD script antenna painted to match[*]Cup Holder courtesy lights[*]IonOptics driving lights as reverse lights[*]12 Volt power outlet in bed[*]Power port/Cigarette lighter courtesy light[*]4 Driving lights in grill[*]Next who knows???




firezap@f150fanatic.com
firezapper@home.com

 

Yep, I third what the others are saying. Out of adjustment for sure. It takes some experimenting on these to get it right the first time. After that it's just a matter of remembering the correct chain link. Or in Tinas case you can forget it with that system as it's set up for good once you find the sweet spot(nice way to go and an slight advantage over a Spring Bar system like yours,Firezaps and mine) My guess is they are not sprung heavy enough. Should be back to within 1/2 inch of unloaded bumper height when loaded. A power tounge jack sure makes this easier too.

 

thanks everybody.

I'm going to move those links around and see how it rides. I remember that the service guy said that the trailer was a little high but when loaded with water and stuff it'll drop.

Thanks again

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99 F150 Xtracab 4X4 XLT
5.4 liter Flairside
3.73 gears
all stock for now

 

If playing with the chain links doesn't do it for you try changing your shocks. Last summer, I was towing a 24' camper with an F150 4x2 and was getting a long, gliding bounce. I put in Edelbrock IAS shocks and that fixed it.

Good luck,

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Rip
2001 F350 XLT SC Dually
V10 * 4X4 Off-Road package

 

I think the chains will do the job. I just bought a new 28 foot Wilderness which weights 6000lbs with water. When I picked it up they only had the spring bars on the 3rd link. The rear of the truck was down a little and truck had to work to tow it. I bumped the chains up to the 4th link and the difference was day and night. Last weekend I towed up over the Cajon Pass (those of you in S. Cal will no what that is) and the truck pulled about 6500lbs loaded with ease. Pulled the hill in the 55-65mph range with ease (see truck specs below). I was surprised how easy it was. Owners manual says that my truck with 3.55 and 17 inch ORP wheels will tow max of 7400lbs.

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2000 F150 XLT SuperCab, Short Bed, 4X4, ORP, 5.4L, Auto Trans, 3.55LS, Captains Chairs with power drivers seat, rear slider, class III towing package, remote entry with alarm and just about everything you can get on this truck. Added a Ford bug deflecter, floor mats, a Dynamax Race magnum muffler and 3" mandrel bent pipes, Superchip, K&N FIPK Gen II, Bilstein shocks, Redline Synthetic oil, Kenwood stereo system and an MTX Thunder 204 4 channel amp.

[This message has been edited by Ron Kaltenbach (edited 01-30-2001).]

 

thanks...I'm heading out on a trip this weekend so hopefully the chains will take care of it.

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99 F150 Xtracab 4X4 XLT
5.4 liter Flairside
3.73 gears
all stock for now