Feel Everything

I just purchased my first camper trailer, a 1500 lb Chalet Aspen A Frame, and have towed it a few times. During the short trips it seems like I feel every single bump and vibration. Is this pretty normal when towing a trailer?

 

Yep. You have more tires in contact with the road to feel more bumps, more weight causing you to feel more bumps, etc etc.

Plus trailers aren’t really know for their bump absorbing suspension (maybe campers are different, idk). At least in my experience with towing a trailer if the trailer hits a bump, you’re gonna feel it (maybe even a couple times).

 

The trailer is not as plush of a ride and thus every little thing gets transmitted through the hitch to your truck frame.

 

I wonder if high pressure gas shocks on the trailer would help smooth it out a bit?

 

A 1500lb trailer you shouldn’t hardly know you are towing anything. I tow a 3000+ lb boat and don’t have any experience like yours OP. I think it is likely your hitch weight is too low. The trailer is too far back or the hitch isn’t level or is too high. Determine your trailer hitch weight at the same height as when it’s attached to the truck.
Also post a pic of the trailer and hitch when attached to the truck.
Finally are there any suspension mods - lifted/lowered, new or different shocks, springs, air bags etc. ?

 

The trailer is an "off road" model with a slightly lifted suspension and a ball height of 23". Everything is pretty level with a 6 in riser from my receiver. The truck's suspension has been upgraded to 5100s for a year and a half. I have a topper on full time and already have a helper/AAL installed along with sumo springs in the rear. Once I get the trailer back from the shop I'm going to measure the sag and driveline angles with the trailer attached.

 

Truck suspension is modified, six inch receiver riser, and an extra bouncy off-road trailer slamming into the trailer ball. You are probably going to feel something.

 

What kind of ball/riser combo are you running and is there any anti-rattle built in? If I don't use an anti-rattle device, I feel every bump and start/stop with my utility trailer and standard ball hitch. I don't feel anything besides the weight on a 2,500 lb TT with a WDH hitch.

 

Get this. It rocks.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Lock/Softride/SR25219.html



I recommend avoiding the U-bolt clamp style type. I bought one but I could not even install it with the geometry of my 6 inch drop ball mount at the time. The pin style design of the softride removes this issue from the equation entirely.

 

Post a profile pic of the truck/trailer hitched up. What type of hitch does your trailer have (ball, pintle, other)? What's the tongue weight on the trailer? What tire pressure are you running in the truck and trailer tires when towing?

FWIW, I tow an offroad trailer that is 3,500lbs loaded and I hardly know it's behind the truck.

 

Here is everything hooked up. The trailer is hooked up with a ball hitch and 6 in riser. Truck tire pressure is 30 and trailer tires are at 42. I was out with the kids this week and everything ran pretty well, better than during short trips between dealer and home. Maybe I'm just getting used to it