Tail End Bouncing

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Apr 27, 2003 | 09:00 PM

Hurricane_Niner7

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 47

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From: Ft. Bragg, NC

Tail End Bouncing

Hello,

Does anyone know why my tail end bounces on my truck when driving on dirt.

Around here (Fort Bragg) there's a lot of dirt parking lots (my office, parking lots for drop zones, etc.). It's packed fairly well, but whenever I drive any faster than a crawl my back wheels start bouning like crazy. I'm not anywhere near a speed that would be considered speeding in the lot, only about 10 mph. The truck's not in 4WD because I'm only trying to exit the parking lot, not go off-roading.

My bed is usually empty so there's no weight in the back-end and the tires are stock all-season tires.

Thanks for any help.
1LT Anthony Somma

My daily driver on steroids:
'03 Oxford White F-250XL 7.3L PSD, CC, LWB, 4x4

Apr 27, 2003 | 09:50 PM

NoMo

Postmaster

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 4,742

Likes: 8

From: OK

Tail End Bouncing

Well, you could try putting some weight in the bed and see if it helps.

Also, you should check the air pressure in your tires. If you are running empty, there's no need to be at max psi.

Apr 28, 2003 | 12:56 PM

jetjock16

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Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 1,253

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From: Del Rio, Texas USA

Tail End Bouncing

Try pulling a 13,500 lb fifth wheel trailer through the same lot and see if that helps, they put those rear springs in your 7.3PSD for a reason, its built to PULL better than the rest, as an empty daily driver, i would expect nothing less than a rough ride.
Jetjock16

Apr 28, 2003 | 10:11 PM

Hurricane_Niner7

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 47

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From: Ft. Bragg, NC

Tail End Bouncing

Thanks for the input,

I hope to one day have something to tow. At the moment, though, the only thing attached to my trailer hitch is my bicycle rack.

I was just wondering if a better set of tires might help hold it on the ground better. I don't want to load it full of sandbags or something that I'm only going to have to take out to use the bed. It may not be a work truck, but I do use the bed to carry my soldiers' gear to the airport when they ship out and the inevitable, "Sir, you have a big truck. Would you mind helping me with..." odd jobs.

I personnally don't mind a rough ride, but I can't imagine that the computer running on the floor of my back seat or the LCD on the floor in my front seat would be very happy with it, regardless of how much shock absorbtion I put underneath it.

Being extra cautious to avoid a bumpy ride isn't a big deal. Just figured I'd ask.

Thanks again,
1LT Anthony Somma

Apr 29, 2003 | 12:27 AM

MountainHound

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 851

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From: On top of a big hill...

Tail End Bouncing

Anthony,

Read this thread from earlier this year:
Wheel hop info...

I had the same problems last February when that 25" snowstorm hit here. The above thread has some info for you.

Apr 29, 2003 | 08:55 AM

jetjock16

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Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 1,253

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From: Del Rio, Texas USA

Tail End Bouncing

if your not hauling anything you could get away with air'n down the rear tires to like as low as 35psi, that will improve the ride tremendously, if you do haul some weight down the freeway, be sure and pump them back up!
Jetjock16