Hobby horsing

Submitted: Thursday, Sep 17, 2009 at 20:58
ThreadID: 126057 Views:4353 Replies:5 FollowUps:7
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I have a 23ft BT and the pervious owner had an extra leaf fitted to the front leaf springs of the F250. I now that I am not really heavy. I also have WHD @ 12,000 lbs.

Is my problem i.e. very bouncy ride or hobby horsing, caused by the extra leaf or some other problem? I do have airbags @ 25psi.

Anyone else experienced this? Any help appriciated as the ride when towing is spoiling our travels and Linda is quite sick of it. Also the gap between the leveling bars and the bottom of the draw bar is only
1 cm.

Help!!!!!

Cheers jack
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Reply By: Andy1 - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 02:09

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 02:09
Jack

Do you know your tow ball weight?

Andy
AnswerID: 578905

Follow Up By: Bushpig - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 19:49

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 19:49
Hi Andy
No I don't know the ball weight. One of those things to do.

Cheers Jack
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FollowupID: 851793

Reply By: NIK `N` OFF - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 02:24

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 02:24
We have a 19' BT and tow it with a F250, we have the extra leaf spring fitted to the front and airbags on the rear. I have long complained that the rig rides better on dirt corrugated roads than many outback bitumen roads, a horror section is the Dawson & Burnett highways in Qld, we feel like we are on a rodeo bronco due to the long wheel base and leaf sprung suspension. I have experimented with air bag pressures and tension on the WDB's but nothing seems to help on those horrible black soil bitumen roads except slow down.

I haven't driven another F250 with different springs ie Tough Dog or ARB to know whether they ride any better.
AnswerID: 578906

Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 03:12

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 03:12
Here's the answer to your problems gents:

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FollowupID: 851794

Follow Up By: Maximus - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 09:06

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 09:06
Mick

I thought your changed your shocks. As far as I am concerned, it is the only way to go. Fixed my Effie up immediately. I spoke to some people with a new Chev. and they were having a terrible time. Changed the shocks, problem fixed. I didn't even try the Chev. Had them changed as part of purchase. Where about s are you now?? How is Vickies eye going??

Cheers

Barrie

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FollowupID: 851795

Follow Up By: NIK `N` OFF - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 18:12

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 18:12
Hi Barrie,

My error, the shocks were replaced on the front with EFS brand shocks when springs were upgraded. The rears are the stock 4 shocks still.

Will email you.

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FollowupID: 851796

Reply By: Maximus - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 09:01

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 09:01
Jack

I would have a look at changing the shocks. Something like Bilstein. Happened with my Effie and it fixed it. Happens with a lot of vehicles, even the Chev. I had the shocks changed before I picked it up.
Re the difference between drawbar and leveling bars... Turn the brass cambers around so that you get a slight lean downwards, not too much that your bars ends are too close to the ground. That should do the job. I had the same problem myself.

Barrie
AnswerID: 578907

Follow Up By: Bushpig - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 19:48

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 19:48
Thanks Barrie
Will look at shocks. Not sure what you mean about 'Brass Cambers'. I have the 4.5 tonne mount. and I cannoy see any camber adjustment point.
Cheers Jack
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FollowupID: 851797

Reply By: Maximus - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 20:03

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 20:03
Jack

Sorry, I assumed you had the 3.5tonne WDH ( never assume anything).
That rig has the ability to angle the head. Is yours fixed?? Someone who has a similar hitch may respond with a clue.
When I replaced my shocks, I did the front and only 2 of the back. The difference in ride was chalk and cheese and mine was a shorter wheel base cab/chassis..

Barrie

AnswerID: 578908

Reply By: Andy1 - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 20:27

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 20:27
Jack

Assuming say 350 - 400kg on the ball the WDH's should transfer circa 100kg to the front wheels. If you are light or if the WDH's are not tensioned enough or both the F250 will tend to "hobby horse". If the problem is spoiling your travel you could look at finding a weighbridge and with the van attached:

1. Weigh the F250 with the front wheels only on the bridge.
2. Remove WDH & note the weight difference.
3. Weigh with the F250 only on the bridge
4. Weigh F250 + Van
5. Disconnect the van & just weigh the F250

This is all a bit of effort but really should be step one before you start playing around with shockers etc.

Both Gadget & I have HD spring packs on the front of our F250's & reckon the vehicles have much improved steering & road holding characteristics with the new spring packs. I have airbags front & rear & Gadget, from memory, front only.

Andy
AnswerID: 578909

Follow Up By: Bushpig - Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 23:34

Friday, Sep 18, 2009 at 23:34
Thanks Andy
I will boing the weigh bridge bit as soon as I get to SA.
I have the WDH's on the 5th chain loop, although it is not difficult to lock the chain so maybe I could go another link.
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FollowupID: 851798

Follow Up By: F Troop - Saturday, Sep 19, 2009 at 01:53

Saturday, Sep 19, 2009 at 01:53
Andy, We have full spring replacments on the front and extra leavs and re set on the back's + air bags F&R. done by Carrols Springs Brisbane ( only )
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FollowupID: 851799

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