"Bucking" 5.0TA - Sierra combo

[padlin]

I've heard to shoot for 20% pin weight.

You can find some of the pin weights folks are running on this spreadsheet. Mine runs roughly 17%, depending a lot on holding tank levels.

http://lakeshoreimages.com/spreadsheets/Weight.xls

[cpaharley2008]

I'm surprised ETI did "something" to your hitch without your knowledge and without your permission. They are very specific what items that do when hooking up and touching your hitch or adjusting is one of those things they will not do without charging you. There is a test fitting done at orientation where the owner is present and then that is all until Sumas where delivery takes place and you get your new Escape.

[cpaharley2008]

One more question, you posted in another thread you are towing an utility trailer and had no issues over 1800 miles? Is this the same set up that has the bucking issue?

[PM15283]

Yes it is.

[PM15283]

Yes - same set up.

With the CAT App. I don't deal with the local operator. Numbers are fed directly to my phone and paid for with Paypal or credit card.

[mizterwizard]

What does it cost to get your rig weighed at a Cat scale?

[PM15283]

$10 was what I read. So the two-step would mean $20. And that gives solid answers to several questions from a certified scale.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by PM15283

Yes it is.

🤔 Are you saying your bouncing problem was with towing a trailer behind the Escape??

[PM15283]

The bouncing was in the rear of the Sierra and front of th TA. (The tongue weight of the little trailer was around 20 lbs. It tracked true the entire trip.)

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by PM15283

Concerned the 5.0TA doesn't have enough tongue weight and seems none of the rv places nearby have the ability to do a tongue weight.
Downloaded the CAT scales app, will fill fuel and water and see what I can find out.

While fifth-wheels often run very high pin (hitch, tongue) weight - just because they can - it's not necessary for stability. The Escape 5.0 is designed for around 15% to 20% tongue weight, and most owners run within that range. The empty/base/dry runs about 600 pounds on the pin, and when equipped with options, loaded with your stuff, and carrying fluids, it will be more than that... but only by a couple hundred pounds.

It certainly makes sense to check , but there isn't likely a problem. Of course, the extra trailer's tongue weight will reduce the 5.0TA pin weight, but if that trailer's tongue weight is really only 20 pounds or so, it's not significant.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by PM15283

The bouncing was in the rear of the Sierra and front of th TA. (The tongue weight of the little trailer was around 20 lbs. It tracked true the entire trip.)

��Your thread is the first I’ve read on this forum who has had this issue. Also the first I’ve read who is double towing. I think if you try your 5.0 without double towing you will be quite pleased with its towing manners behind your Sierra. Could be wrong but I think that trailer is a much bigger variable than shocks or air bags��

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, I agree, the known variable is the additional trailer. Try towing without it and post the results.

[mizterwizard]

I also didn't understand the original setup and agree that it could be a problem. It isn't that the tongue weight would be significant since 20 lbs would hardly make as much difference as the stuff you would likely have loaded inside the trailer and certainly not as much as full vs empty tanks. However, the dynamics of the situation would be much more complex than a single trailer. It is the dynamics that I would suspect most.

The thing is, shocks are intended to control dynamics. Better shocks might still be the answer but for a different reason. There is no real way to tell without trying a few things.

It might be instructive if someone could follow you while you were towing with the issue. Perhaps they could see additional movement and its source that it would take a lot of guessing to find otherwise.

[PM15283]

Weighed truck, then truck and trailer. Front axle went down 20#, rear (pin) axle up 760, trailer axles 4060. Net trailer weight 4800. Believe that's 16% at the connection.

Will not tow the small trailer behind the Escape again unless the "bucking" returns without it.

[mizterwizard]

Sounds like a good solution. You could still tow double for a short ways but I think your plan is sound.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by PM15283

Weighed truck, then truck and trailer. Front axle went down 20#, rear (pin) axle up 760, trailer axles 4060. Net trailer weight 4800. Believe that's 16% at the connection.

Will not tow the small trailer behind the Escape again unless the "bucking" returns without it.

Please keep us posted on how it tows 😎

[PM15283]

Would like to, promptly, but the walleyes are calling and the next trailering is likely about 6 weeks away. This schedule is really exhausting!

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by PM15283

$10 was what I read. So the two-step would mean $20. And that gives solid answers to several questions from a certified scale.

CAT policy is to charge $2 for the reweigh so it should only be $12ish. I don’t remember if the App handled that or not though.

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by MikeS

CAT policy is to charge $2 for the reweigh so it should only be $12ish. I don’t remember if the App handled that or not though.

I had the opportunity to test this with the app recently and happily, the app prompted me if the second weigh was a reweigh and after I confirmed the charge was $2 for the reweigh. I reweigh happened within an hour I don't know if the threshold is 24 hours for the app or much less.

[PM15283]

Local trailering "expert" said the bounce is common and difficult to avoid. Too much of the trailer weight on the rear-most axle, need to bring nose down one set of holes. Also, play with airbag inflation settings to help minimize.
Took rig directly to Camping World where they pointed out that the clearance was near minimum already.
Heading out on a month-long trip in 3 days, so......