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Old 03-07-2015, 12:15 PM   #1
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New Shocks made a big difference

I have had some issues with our 2012 GMC 3500HD having quite a bit of bounce with the Tri Glide Pin Box. I have tried different pressures in the Tri Glide but no real improvement. (Currently running about 70 PSI)
When we hit a Bridge entrance or large joint in the highway, we get a lot of bounce in the truck like it is coming off the trucks overloads and bouncing back down on them.
Our truck now has about 40,000 miles on it (approx. 30,000 miles towing), so I went ahead are replaced the rear shocks with a set of Blisten Shocks.
On the trip down to Lazy Days last Monday, the ride and bounce was much improved.
When entering and exiting the bridges or hitting joints in the construction areas, no hard bounce off the overload springs and a much better ride.
I will be heading back to North Florida today and West to Texas on Monday, hope the good ride continues.
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Old 03-07-2015, 01:11 PM   #2
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Like the RV mfg's most of the truck mfg's do 'just enough' on their equipment, but that allows aftermarket mfg's to improve on everything

I opted for a Hellwig sway bars and Rancho adjustable shocks for my last 3 or 4 trucks/Excursions and really like the improvements.
I can make the shocks firm when loaded or soft when not - and anywhere in between with 9 different settings... (and even got them on sale with their periodic promotions)
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Old 03-07-2015, 06:11 PM   #3
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Rob - you didn't mention if you have AirBags. If not, seriously consider them for ride control. The airbags replace the hard Delrin Snubbers over the axle and increase the available wheel travel. When I first got my rig and went over the first really good bridge joint I almost took it back and told the sales guy what he could do with it !
What I figured out after a bit was that coming off a bridge joint or a dip in the road the suspension was compressing enough that it ran out of travel and was actually hitting the Snubbers and then launching everything back up into the air.

By putting the airbags on, you are increasing the amount of travel available and also controlling the resistance. In my case, when we are loaded, I have about 48-65 lbs in the airbags depending on the road. I also have the remote controlled compressor so that I can change pressure from my seat. I will do this if the ride changes or the road surface changes radically.

Bottom line is that we have to hit a REALLY bad joint before it is more than a moderate up and down in the truck cab. With the camper package and snowplow prep on my Dually I don't need the bags for the suspension, it will sit level hooked up with no air pressure, I use them strictly for handling and ride. Would never have another truck without them.

Having said the above, I am looking seriously at the AutoFlex full air-ride suspension. If I go that way there will be a set of AirLift 5000 bags for a F350 for sale ......
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Old 03-08-2015, 12:33 AM   #4
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Quote:
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Rob - you didn't mention if you have AirBags. If not, seriously consider them for ride control. The airbags replace the hard Delrin Snubbers over the axle and increase the available wheel travel. When I first got my rig and went over the first really good bridge joint I almost took it back and told the sales guy what he could do with it !
What I figured out after a bit was that coming off a bridge joint or a dip in the road the suspension was compressing enough that it ran out of travel and was actually hitting the Snubbers and then launching everything back up into the air.

By putting the airbags on, you are increasing the amount of travel available and also controlling the resistance. In my case, when we are loaded, I have about 48-65 lbs in the airbags depending on the road. I also have the remote controlled compressor so that I can change pressure from my seat. I will do this if the ride changes or the road surface changes radically.

Bottom line is that we have to hit a REALLY bad joint before it is more than a moderate up and down in the truck cab. With the camper package and snowplow prep on my Dually I don't need the bags for the suspension, it will sit level hooked up with no air pressure, I use them strictly for handling and ride. Would never have another truck without them.

Having said the above, I am looking seriously at the AutoFlex full air-ride suspension. If I go that way there will be a set of AirLift 5000 bags for a F350 for sale ......

X2.............
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Old 03-08-2015, 03:43 PM   #5
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I am not ready for air bags yet, with our Redwood hitched up the truck sits absolutely level.
I think the bigger issue is our 38FL's light pin weight at 2,975 lbs. on a 1 Ton Truck.
Our previous Pinnacle 5th Wheel has a pin weight of 3,700 lbs. and it towed great.
What is happening with our truck is we are coming off the overload springs due to the lighter pin weight.
Going to a full air ride system is most likely the only complete fix.
Still making some tweaks and adjustments to our current setup (going to completely fill the fresh water tank this afternoon to raise the pin weight) , I will see how it goes tomorrow on the way from Florida to Texas.
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Old 03-08-2015, 04:06 PM   #6
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Almost never hear of GMC 3500 Dually needing airbags. Almost never hear of Ford F-350 Dually not needing them. Just sayin...
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Old 03-08-2015, 04:45 PM   #7
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Robert, I added the Timbrens to mine & helped considerably & also carry more liquid in holding tanks (don't use fresh water) but leave 2-3 days of use in grey & black tanks & that also improved ride. I like the Timbrens cause once installed forget 'em. Just my 2 cents.
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Old 03-08-2015, 08:19 PM   #8
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Quote:
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Almost never hear of GMC 3500 Dually needing airbags. Almost never hear of Ford F-350 Dually not needing them. Just sayin...
Yep, almost every Ford I see on the road with a large 5th Wheel has the headlights pointing at the stars !!!

Of course I do see a lot of F250's pulling 45 Foot Triple Axle Toy Haulers !!!
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Old 03-08-2015, 09:52 PM   #9
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Yep, almost every Ford I see on the road with a large 5th Wheel has the headlights pointing at the stars !!!

Of course I do see a lot of F250's pulling 45 Foot Triple Axle Toy Haulers !!!
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Our Truck without the trailer weighs, 8,900 lbs.

With our Redwood hitched up it weighs, 11,875 lbs. (Pin Weight is 2,975 lbs.)
Try a man size 4,300 lbs of pin weight and see where your headlights point!
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Old 03-09-2015, 02:30 AM   #10
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Try a man size 4,300 lbs of pin weight and see where your headlights point!
AA, our last 5th Wheel had a Pin Weight of 3,700 lbs. and our GMC 3500HD rode better with the heaver pin weight.
Our GMC 3500HD sat level with it too, we went coast to coast with that 5th Wheel and did not blind anybody with the headlights.
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Old 03-09-2015, 02:58 AM   #11
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AA, our last 5th Wheel had a Pin Weight of 3,700 lbs. and our GMC 3500HD rode better with the heaver pin weight.
Our GMC 3500HD sat level with it too, we went coast to coast with that 5th Wheel and did not blind anybody with the headlights.
We aren't talking about the ride, we are talking about where the headlights point, and you're still playing in the sandbox 3,700 isn't 4,300
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Old 03-09-2015, 03:06 AM   #12
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Aw come on AA, whats another 500 lbs.


Our headlights did not point to the stars with the 3,700 lbs.
I was just making the point that the ride was better since we stayed on the overload springs and did not have the bounce with the MorRyde Pin Box we get with the Trail Air Pin Box
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Old 03-09-2015, 03:24 AM   #13
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Aw come on AA, whats another 500 lbs.


Our headlights did not point to the stars with the 3,700 lbs.
I was just making the point that the ride was better since we stayed on the overload springs and did not have the bounce with the MorRyde Pin Box we get with the Trail Air Pin Box
Ya I just jazzin ya for the headlight comment.
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Old 03-09-2015, 03:28 AM   #14
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I just hope GM gets back in the towing game. When all three compete all of us win. Currently, for the first time all three of them have good transmissions and diesels.

As for the suspension.....Ford has always been low in the ass and Chevy as well as Dodge has always ran low in the front. That's why the after market folks sell leveling kits for the front axles of the GM and Dodge (both with independent front axles). Each truck has it's pluses and negatives, if I could take all 3 apart I could make my perfect truck with the pile of parts.

I hope Dodge is starting a new trend with their air suspension and the others follow.
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Old 03-09-2015, 04:28 AM   #15
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if I could take all 3 apart I could make my perfect truck with the pile of parts.

I hope Dodge is starting a new trend with their air suspension and the others follow.



They are all getting better every year.
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Old 03-10-2015, 05:28 PM   #16
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Ford is making a lot of changes on the F-150 with aluminum bodies and steel frames with some nice trailer towing goodies like side steps and bed lights with a tonneau cover installed.
Was at the dealer getting my 6 week service (drive 2000km per week) and they are hoping these changes migrate to the Super Duty class over the next year or two. May just have to upgrade...
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Old 03-11-2015, 12:01 AM   #17
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Jim (Superduty Glampers) works at the Ford plant and keeps me updated. He says the Superduty will be aluminum in 2016. Not sure about the other updates, but the bed lights would be nice.
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Old 03-11-2015, 04:39 AM   #18
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New Shocks made a big difference

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Jim (Superduty Glampers) works at the Ford plant and keeps me updated. He says the Superduty will be aluminum in 2016. Not sure about the other updates, but the bed lights would be nice.

I think that's been pushed to at least the 2017 model year. It makes a ton of sense actually. By dropping 500-700 lbs with the use of AL they actually raise the cargo by the same amount. This will be huge in payload as my truck could conceivably be over 4000 lbs with this change. Well not my truck, but a similarly configured 2017 model. [emoji6]


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Old 03-11-2015, 05:08 AM   #19
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I think that's been pushed to at least the 2017 model year. It makes a ton of sense actually. By dropping 500-700 lbs with the use of AL they actually raise the cargo by the same amount. This will be huge in payload as my truck could conceivably be over 4000 lbs with this change. Well not my truck, but a similarly configured 2017 model. [emoji6]


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That could be, given the delays getting the F150 out. The dealers were stocking up with rivers of the 2014 F150s for fear of not having any trucks waiting for the new aluminum. I wonder if they are catching up on selling them.
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Old 03-11-2015, 04:49 PM   #20
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I didn't know GM ever was not in the towing game, IMO GM & Dodge are the leaders in the game due to the fact that until the last couple of years Ford didn't have an engine that could make it to the game. That's my story & I'm sticking to it.
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