Truck Bouncing - Another Post!
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 663
Likes: 2
From: Elk River, MN
My 06 F350 CC SB 4x4 sis this bouce one time while I owned. I was pulling any empty 28' featherlight enclosed trailer from minneapolis to central WI, going up the hill just after crossing into WI it started to bouce so bad I could hardly view the road. This was at 65-70 mph, it went away at 50 and started right back up above 60. To me it seemed like it was all in the font end as I could see the hood just flopping up and down. Truck was stock, it never happened again and it was concrete with expansion joints.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
The problem isn't really a problem. When you take a truck that is built for hauling heavy loads and drive it around emty you are asking it to do something it was not built to do. if all roads were built correctly with the right equipment by a good contractor you wouldn't feel a thing. In Las Vegas we have several stretches of highway that will shake your teeth out, others are as smooth as silk. if the state would test the roads with a truck before the certify them and require the contractors to do thier job correctly this wouldn't even be an issue.I have spent alot of time over the years driving readymix trucks and tractor trailers on the roads around vegas and they all have the same problem when they are empty. I have been shock so hard in a mixer that the chutes have shaken off out from under the safty latches and dropped on the highway. I would alot rather put up with the shaking on the uneven roads than drive a lighter truck. If you don't need a F350 CC Fx4 long bed you might be better off with a lighter truck. My sons F250 SC long bed 2wd doesn't bounce hardly at all. I bought my truck knowing that it would bounce on some roads, but I like knowing I have a real truck under my hindend. when I have alittle load or a trailer on it drives the way it is supose to do.
) Like 57Fomoco said, did you ever watch an empty semi trailer. They bounce like crazy! If your truck is a daily driver (like mine) the only solution i can think of is to go to softer leaves or remove one leave from each pack.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Try one of these. Fill it with water and you get 400 pounds of bed weight.
http://www.autoanything.com/hitch-be...0A50576A1.aspx
http://www.autoanything.com/hitch-be...0A50576A1.aspx
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
I can vouch for the Socal Death-Bounce, and in the more extreme cases, someone saying "it just happens" doesn't make you any safer on the freeway. Obviously different trucks with different setups are going to react differently - but implying that since you don't have a problem, someone else's is imagining theirs seems a bit presumptuous, no offense. If someone lives in Socal, and doesn't have a problem - how about letting us know what your running - single cab, crew, long bed, short bed, shocks, tires, air bags, etc etc, instead of just implying that we're sissies or don't know our trucks.
That said - I noticed it, but it wasn't bad running Good Year Wrangler HT's. They were worn out recently, and replaced with a set of Conti's... and I would not have believed how much worse my CC 250 2wd bounces over the expansion joints with the Conti's on. Planning on putting Bilsteins on to see if helps, since the shocks that are on it aren't doing much anymore. I'd like to avoid having to replace a relatively new set of tires, since so-cal expansion joints are the only place they seem to have a problem.
That said - I noticed it, but it wasn't bad running Good Year Wrangler HT's. They were worn out recently, and replaced with a set of Conti's... and I would not have believed how much worse my CC 250 2wd bounces over the expansion joints with the Conti's on. Planning on putting Bilsteins on to see if helps, since the shocks that are on it aren't doing much anymore. I'd like to avoid having to replace a relatively new set of tires, since so-cal expansion joints are the only place they seem to have a problem.
Junior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
I have a 05 F150 Fx4 lifted 6" with 20x 35 tires and a canopy..about 55-65 it starts bouncing like crazy, i just bought this truck and am going through the possiblities, the front end is solid the rear end is like a kangaroo like i have way taller gears in the back and im in 4 wheel drive...
Im hoping i have a bent rim or a terribly out of balance wheel..good luck finding a solution, i will be checking back
Im hoping i have a bent rim or a terribly out of balance wheel..good luck finding a solution, i will be checking back
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
I have a 05 F150 Fx4 lifted 6" with 20x 35 tires and a canopy..about 55-65 it starts bouncing like crazy, i just bought this truck and am going through the possiblities, the front end is solid the rear end is like a kangaroo like i have way taller gears in the back and im in 4 wheel drive...
Im hoping i have a bent rim or a terribly out of balance wheel..good luck finding a solution, i will be checking back
Im hoping i have a bent rim or a terribly out of balance wheel..good luck finding a solution, i will be checking back
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
I can vouch for the Socal Death-Bounce, and in the more extreme cases, someone saying "it just happens" doesn't make you any safer on the freeway. Obviously different trucks with different setups are going to react differently - but implying that since you don't have a problem, someone else's is imagining theirs seems a bit presumptuous, no offense. If someone lives in Socal, and doesn't have a problem - how about letting us know what your running - single cab, crew, long bed, short bed, shocks, tires, air bags, etc etc, instead of just implying that we're sissies or don't know our trucks.
That said - I noticed it, but it wasn't bad running Good Year Wrangler HT's. They were worn out recently, and replaced with a set of Conti's... and I would not have believed how much worse my CC 250 2wd bounces over the expansion joints with the Conti's on. Planning on putting Bilsteins on to see if helps, since the shocks that are on it aren't doing much anymore. I'd like to avoid having to replace a relatively new set of tires, since so-cal expansion joints are the only place they seem to have a problem.
That said - I noticed it, but it wasn't bad running Good Year Wrangler HT's. They were worn out recently, and replaced with a set of Conti's... and I would not have believed how much worse my CC 250 2wd bounces over the expansion joints with the Conti's on. Planning on putting Bilsteins on to see if helps, since the shocks that are on it aren't doing much anymore. I'd like to avoid having to replace a relatively new set of tires, since so-cal expansion joints are the only place they seem to have a problem.
To many people buy trucks to big or to small for thier needs and then try to make them behave like something they are not. Ford does sell somethig called a car. they make several different models I have been told and I hear that you can drive them on ruff highways allday long and not get any of that heavy duty truck bounce.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Your problem I would look at tire ballance , shock obsorbers and check all of your front end pieces. bent rims or tire separation can also case that kind of shaking. Tire ballance especially will cause vibration at sst speeds.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
what i was trying to say is that if you have this problem you either put some wieght in it or avoid those roads. lowering the spring wight is not a safe thing to do for when you do load the truck. this particular problem is not caused by the truck, poor engineering,tires, or any mechanical problem. most drivers of class 3 thru 8 trucks have experienced the sensation. it is like having your very own truck vibrator. To many people buy trucks to big or to small for thier needs and then try to make them behave like something they are not. Ford does sell somethig called a car. they make several different models I have been told and I hear that you can drive them on ruff highways allday long and not get any of that heavy duty truck bounce.
To many people buy trucks to big or to small for thier needs and then try to make them behave like something they are not. Ford does sell somethig called a car. they make several different models I have been told and I hear that you can drive them on ruff highways allday long and not get any of that heavy duty truck bounce.
We use industrial flat beds for work, I'm rather familiar with the sensation. I've heard of these cars you speak of... I even had one once. I wouldn't own one with a comfy suspensions - wouldn't be any fun in the twisties... and defeat the only reason I could justify being that low to the ground. I did own one vehicle that floated like you describe... had a bow tie in it's grill... thought something was wrong with it until someone took the time to explain that it wasn't broken... it was 'luxurious'.
Didn't take long to replace it with a Truck. 
I don't regret the decision. It's diesel, it moves shi* and my wife thinks it's sexy.
(I'm still convinced that my shocks aren't manly enough for this truck... and that my tires must be "luxurious". )
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
He said BOUNCE.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
You have a set of issues that combine to create an almost dangerous situation.
Bounce it is. My completely stock F-350 4x4 will tramp the rear across two lanes of interstate if I encounter a gentle curve and a rough road. It gets REAL exciting when the road is wet! It has everything to do with the road surface and the weight carrying geometry of the suspension. I would agree that different shocks are the best and only answer (unless you add weight, which you alrteady rejected and I agree). It IS the function of the shocks in the suspension to maintain tire contact with the ground. Sorry I couldn't offer better information or a better solution.
Bounce it is. My completely stock F-350 4x4 will tramp the rear across two lanes of interstate if I encounter a gentle curve and a rough road. It gets REAL exciting when the road is wet! It has everything to do with the road surface and the weight carrying geometry of the suspension. I would agree that different shocks are the best and only answer (unless you add weight, which you alrteady rejected and I agree). It IS the function of the shocks in the suspension to maintain tire contact with the ground. Sorry I couldn't offer better information or a better solution.
New User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I have read as many posts as I can find here on this issue, and they all seem to be pointing in the same direction. But they also all seem to leave the issue still open. So let me see if I can get any additonal info here.
I have a 2006 F-350, crew cab, long bed. I live in southern CA, where to concrete highways have expansion joints that cause the truck to bounce very agressively. You all know about this as it is a huge issue so I'll leave it at that. I have read many "remedies" or things to try, but I question if any of these things really help. For me this is clearly an issue caused with the highway, as the truck immediately stabilizes when the road surface chnages from concrete (with expansion joints) to asphalt. It is a dramatic difference in ride quality.
So let me list those that I have read about, and I would appreciate any response from those of you who have tried these items and what was your outcome. Good, bad, or indifferent.
1. Shocks - replacing and or using adjustable. Does it make any difference?
2. Tire inflation - What psi seems to work best, does it make any differenc?
3. Leaf spring adjustments and or replacement to change the overall spring rates
4. Adding additional weight to the rear end of the truck. If so, how much weight, and where was it added?
5. Tire balancing
6. Additional suspention components, i.e. air bags?
7. Other??????
Basically I am hoping there is someone out there that had experienced this issue, and found a solution that either resolved it, or at least reduced it enough to be tolerable.
I appreciate any responses, and thanks in advance,
Bumping Brian
I have a 2006 F-350, crew cab, long bed. I live in southern CA, where to concrete highways have expansion joints that cause the truck to bounce very agressively. You all know about this as it is a huge issue so I'll leave it at that. I have read many "remedies" or things to try, but I question if any of these things really help. For me this is clearly an issue caused with the highway, as the truck immediately stabilizes when the road surface chnages from concrete (with expansion joints) to asphalt. It is a dramatic difference in ride quality.
So let me list those that I have read about, and I would appreciate any response from those of you who have tried these items and what was your outcome. Good, bad, or indifferent.
1. Shocks - replacing and or using adjustable. Does it make any difference?
2. Tire inflation - What psi seems to work best, does it make any differenc?
3. Leaf spring adjustments and or replacement to change the overall spring rates
4. Adding additional weight to the rear end of the truck. If so, how much weight, and where was it added?
5. Tire balancing
6. Additional suspention components, i.e. air bags?
7. Other??????
Basically I am hoping there is someone out there that had experienced this issue, and found a solution that either resolved it, or at least reduced it enough to be tolerable.
I appreciate any responses, and thanks in advance,
Bumping Brian
