Travel Trailer Towed By 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Bounces Uncontrollably  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

I spoke at length with my Equal-i-zer representative regarding what you have going on.

We came up with a few possibilities, some or a combination of several will likely be helpful in eliminating the bounce.

I believe the rear suspension of your truck is the likely root cause of the issue that you're experiencing. Years ago, 1/2 ton trucks had a standard leaf spring suspension. Good for towing, not so good for a nice ride quality. Back then, not everybody and their brother drove a truck like they do now. However, due to customer demand/complaint/comments, the decision was make to make the suspension of 1/2 ton trucks more 'car like'. This is great for comfort and ride quality, but not so good for towing trailers with heavier tongue weights like your Freedom Express which has a TW between 700-800 lbs.

I'd also revisit how the weight distribution system is set up. Typically when setting up you'll measure the front wheel well height of the vehicle without the trailer hitched up to arrive at a 'starting point'. Then the trailer is hitched up, and the wheel well height is measured again. The system is adjusted, trying to get the front wheel well height back to the 'starting point'. According to my Equal-i-zer rep, removing a washer or decreasing the weight distribution provided by a small amount can help with the bouncing you experience. Also, when you determined the tongue weight rating of the system you needed, was the weight of gear stowed behind the axle in the truck bed taken into account? That weight should be considered tongue weight. When the tongue weight was determined, was the travel trailer loaded up as you'd typically have it when traveling?

Now let's discuss the trailer's tongue weight. I agree, in a travel trailer there's not much latitude for moving things around, but if you're traveling with empty or nearly empty water or propane tanks, your tongue weight might be lower than you realize.

I believe upgrading the stock shock absorbers on the rear of the truck would be the necessary starting point.
We don't carry shocks for passenger vehicles, so I don't have a specific recommendation but going with a quality shock from Bilstein, Rancho or Fox would improve the towing performance of your truck. I'd recommend doing a Google Search on 'Best towing shocks for 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500' and doing some research. Don't just look at manufacturer sites or magazine or blogs, check out forum discussions as well. Forums are where you can hear actual user reviews and opinions, which you'll likely find the most helpful.

Please let us know how it works out!

expert reply by: Mike L

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