Troubleshooting Soft and Unstable Rear End on 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Towing 27 ft Trailer

Updated 06/01/2012 | Published 05/31/2012

Question:

I have a 27foot travel trailer and I am having a huge problem with the rear end feeling soft and the truck feels unstable on the highway or ind any wind. I put the timbren system in and that made it seem even worse and the ride is hard to the point that we seem to bounce. The hitch I have is the good 4 point equalizer sway control set up top of the line. The dry weight of my trailer is 6600# so I am good in that area for that truck. I am lost can you help ? people I talk to at the campgrounds do not seem to have this problem and cant give me any answers. Any info will help. Thanks in advance

asked by: Dan D

Expert Reply:

If the rear end of your 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 feels soft and unstable when towing your trailer with the Equalizer weight distribution system, then it sounds like you might have the spring bars too tight. If the weight distribution system is too tight, then more weight will be distributed to the front vehicle axle and the trailer axles essentially trying to lift the rear end of your truck.

The spring bars should be level with the trailer frame or angled slightly downward. Over or under adjusting the spring bar tension will reduce the effectiveness of the weight distribution system.

I would also recommend that you verify that your trailer is loaded properly so the tongue weight of the trailer falls within the capacity of your weight distribution system. If the majority of your trailer weight is at the rear of the trailer and the tongue weight is too light, then you will experience similar issues and the weight distribution system will not be as effective.

The Timbren springs that you installed are primarily designed to suspend loads carried in the truck bed, rather than to improve towing performance. Verify that the fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of your trailer is roughly 10 to 15 percent of your gross trailer weight and that your weight distribution system is adjusted appropriately. One trick to test if your weight distribution system is adjusted appropriately is to measure from the ground to the top of each wheel well and they should all be about the same height.

I have attached a link to installation instructions for Equalizer trailer hitches and if you start reading at step 5 it explains how to properly adjust and maintain the spring bars on your weight distribution system. There is also a troubleshooting table that may be of some help.

expert reply by: John H