Chucking/Vibration on 278BH

[Memmer99]

Hi Guys,

I’ve had a vibration issue that’s been driving me crazy all summer. I’m just wondering if anyone has experienced this. Any tips or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

We bought a new Reflection 278BH in August of 2023. I tow with a 2020 Ram 3500 4x4 so I had to add a Simeco Spring 2” lift block the first week to get the camper to an almost level stance. We went on many camping trips the rest of the summer and we also use the camper in the winter months as well. The camper always towed great for the first 8 months, then last May we took the it out and noticed a lot of chucking/vibration. The strange part is it acts normal on crappy roads where you would think chucking would be the worst. On normal flat (good) roads I get a vibration that I can feel in the driver seat. It feels like the brakes are being applied every few minutes causing a chuck. This vibration can be limited if I drive around 70mph. Unfortunately, I live in California so 55mph is the max and also where I get the worst vibration. At first, I really thought it was a brake issue, so I tried driving with the 7 way plug disconnected but no change. My camper has the Curt ABS system that runs off the camper battery, so I even cut all the brake lines but still had the vibration. Since May I’ve changed the following to try to fix the issue.

• Changed from an Andersen Ultimate to a B&W (gooseneck) Companion.
• Added Sumo springs. This didn’t help at all, so I removed them for now.
• Upgraded all shocks to Bilstein 4600 on the truck.
• Added Sumo Springs on the truck, this helped a bit but not much.
• Bought new 16” wheels with new 235/85/16 (balanced) tires so the camper sits perfectly level to the truck now.
• Inspected and re-packed all the wheel bearings. I’m no expert but they looked good to me and they don’t run hot.
• Scaled the camper @ 9,580lbs - GVWR is 10,195 pic attached…

Camper has MorRyde heavy duty shackles, wet bolts, and CRE 3000 stock. I inspect and add grease every other month, but I recently found all my brass leaf spring bushing were thrashed. Especially bad on the passenger side. See pic.. I replaced all 8 bushings and really thought I had solved the issue. Nope!!! We keep our camper in storage, and I have to make a tight U-turn every time we drop it off. I can see how that might cause some suspension wear. At this point new wheel bearings might be next.

I’m at my wits end with this camper. My wife says I work on it more than I enjoy it and she’s right. Every time I think I have it fixed it ruins my camping trip when I feel that vibration.

 

[Soundsailor]

So sorry to hear about your issues, it must be frustrating. When you got your rig weighed, what was the pin weight? The 278BH is part of the 150 series, they tend to be pin light. I had chucking issues with my 260RD, also part of the 150 series. It helped a lot to move as much weight forward in the coach as possible.

 

[Memmer99]

So sorry to hear about your issues, it must be frustrating. When you got your rig weighed, what was the pin weight? The 278BH is part of the 150 series, they tend to be pin light. I had chucking issues with my 260RD, also part of the 150 series. It helped a lot to move as much weight forward in the coach as possible.

Thanks for your reply, When I scaled the camper I wasn't aware I had to unhook the camper and then weigh the truck separate. I need to do it again soon. I can tell you I have a 3300 watt generator, 2 paddleboards, and a lot of other camping supplies in the pass through. I also removed all the weight in the back of the camper and took it for a test drive and it didn't change the vibration at all. I also tried driving home with a full black and grey tank, which are more forward than the fresh water tank. Still no change.

 

[RV2600RB]

Maybe try a real fifth wheel hitch instead of a gooseneck adapter?
Rich

 

[Skilletface]

Hi Guys,

I’ve had a vibration issue that’s been driving me crazy all summer. I’m just wondering if anyone has experienced this. Any tips or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

We bought a new Reflection 278BH in August of 2023. I tow with a 2020 Ram 3500 4x4 so I had to add a Simeco Spring 2” lift block the first week to get the camper to an almost level stance. We went on many camping trips the rest of the summer and we also use the camper in the winter months as well. The camper always towed great for the first 8 months, then last May we took the it out and noticed a lot of chucking/vibration. The strange part is it acts normal on crappy roads where you would think chucking would be the worst. On normal flat (good) roads I get a vibration that I can feel in the driver seat. It feels like the brakes are being applied every few minutes causing a chuck. This vibration can be limited if I drive around 70mph. Unfortunately, I live in California so 55mph is the max and also where I get the worst vibration. At first, I really thought it was a brake issue, so I tried driving with the 7 way plug disconnected but no change. My camper has the Curt ABS system that runs off the camper battery, so I even cut all the brake lines but still had the vibration. Since May I’ve changed the following to try to fix the issue.

• Changed from an Andersen Ultimate to a B&W (gooseneck) Companion.
• Added Sumo springs. This didn’t help at all, so I removed them for now.
• Upgraded all shocks to Bilstein 4600 on the truck.
• Added Sumo Springs on the truck, this helped a bit but not much.
• Bought new 16” wheels with new 235/85/16 (balanced) tires so the camper sits perfectly level to the truck now.
• Inspected and re-packed all the wheel bearings. I’m no expert but they looked good to me and they don’t run hot.
• Scaled the camper @ 9,580lbs - GVWR is 10,195 pic attached…

Camper has MorRyde heavy duty shackles, wet bolts, and CRE 3000 stock. I inspect and add grease every other month, but I recently found all my brass leaf spring bushing were thrashed. Especially bad on the passenger side. See pic.. I replaced all 8 bushings and really thought I had solved the issue. Nope!!! We keep our camper in storage, and I have to make a tight U-turn every time we drop it off. I can see how that might cause some suspension wear. At this point new wheel bearings might be next.

I’m at my wits end with this camper. My wife says I work on it more than I enjoy it and she’s right. Every time I think I have it fixed it ruins my camping trip when I feel that vibration.

Most likely every thing you have done should have been done anyway. Your statement you could feel the vibration in the seat indicated you may have issues with the rear end or drive line. My neighbor has a 2022 3500 DW that had similar issues and it required a warranty replacement of the entire rear end. Best wishes.

 

[huntr70]

Hi Guys,

I’ve had a vibration issue that’s been driving me crazy all summer. I’m just wondering if anyone has experienced this. Any tips or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

We bought a new Reflection 278BH in August of 2023. I tow with a 2020 Ram 3500 4x4 so I had to add a Simeco Spring 2” lift block the first week to get the camper to an almost level stance. We went on many camping trips the rest of the summer and we also use the camper in the winter months as well. The camper always towed great for the first 8 months, then last May we took the it out and noticed a lot of chucking/vibration. The strange part is it acts normal on crappy roads where you would think chucking would be the worst. On normal flat (good) roads I get a vibration that I can feel in the driver seat. It feels like the brakes are being applied every few minutes causing a chuck. This vibration can be limited if I drive around 70mph. Unfortunately, I live in California so 55mph is the max and also where I get the worst vibration. At first, I really thought it was a brake issue, so I tried driving with the 7 way plug disconnected but no change. My camper has the Curt ABS system that runs off the camper battery, so I even cut all the brake lines but still had the vibration. Since May I’ve changed the following to try to fix the issue.

• Changed from an Andersen Ultimate to a B&W (gooseneck) Companion.
• Added Sumo springs. This didn’t help at all, so I removed them for now.
• Upgraded all shocks to Bilstein 4600 on the truck.
• Added Sumo Springs on the truck, this helped a bit but not much.
• Bought new 16” wheels with new 235/85/16 (balanced) tires so the camper sits perfectly level to the truck now.
• Inspected and re-packed all the wheel bearings. I’m no expert but they looked good to me and they don’t run hot.
• Scaled the camper @ 9,580lbs - GVWR is 10,195 pic attached…

Camper has MorRyde heavy duty shackles, wet bolts, and CRE 3000 stock. I inspect and add grease every other month, but I recently found all my brass leaf spring bushing were thrashed. Especially bad on the passenger side. See pic.. I replaced all 8 bushings and really thought I had solved the issue. Nope!!! We keep our camper in storage, and I have to make a tight U-turn every time we drop it off. I can see how that might cause some suspension wear. At this point new wheel bearings might be next.

I’m at my wits end with this camper. My wife says I work on it more than I enjoy it and she’s right. Every time I think I have it fixed it ruins my camping trip when I feel that vibration.

Unfortunately, I have no suggestions.

I had no problems towing a 260RD with my RAM 3500, and have none with my 310RLS.

The driver's that deliver the new units to us say that the GD products are the best towing out of all the brands they deliver.

Do you have a 2 piece drive shaft? I replaced mine years ago because of vibration from the carrier bearing. Kept tearing it apart. Not anymore....

 

[Second Chance]

Following along the same line as some of the responses above, I'm more inclined to suspect an issue with the truck rather than the trailer. Motions described as "vibration" are a little too high frequency to be transmitted from the trailer to the truck.

Rob

 

[Wileykid]

It turned out to be my tires, but when I was trying to figure out a vibration on my '19 RAM 3500, I was told by several places and a dealer that they were finding driveshafts out of balance on the 3500.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Could have a u joint in the truck going bad.

 

[Tony_in_AZ]

You sure have gone thru the diagnosis process on this vibration. I have no further suggestions.

My leaf spring bushings looked like yours when I replaced them in Feb 2024.. 8500k miles over 2.5 yrs with grease applied every other month as we traveled. I bought the latest (?) Dexter bushing material design bushes. New Shackle with bolts kit too

I removed the CRE 3000 since I could not find bushings that actually fit them. Went with EZ FLex gold colored units. Only 1800 miles on the rebuild so far.

Best of luck on the vibration

 

[traveldawg]

Maybe tow a different trailer and compare the ride. I’m thinking truck issue.

 

[Memmer99]

Unfortunately, I have no suggestions.

I had no problems towing a 260RD with my RAM 3500, and have none with my 310RLS.

The driver's that deliver the new units to us say that the GD products are the best towing out of all the brands they deliver.

Do you have a 2 piece drive shaft? I replaced mine years ago because of vibration from the carrier bearing. Kept tearing it apart. Not anymore....

Thanks for the tip. I'll check my driveline when I get home from work.

 

[Memmer99]

Thanks for everyone's input. I never really though about the truck having an issue. It does drive fine without the camper and I've rotated my tires recently. I'll see if I can tow the camper with a buddies truck or my old 2500 this weekend and report back.

 

[traveldawg]

O only suggested the truck because mine vibrates around 70 MPH without towing and seems lot better when towing. So I guess the opposite could be possible. Hoping you figure it out.

 

[Memmer99]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I took the B&W Companion out of my 2020 Ram and dropped it into my 2005 Ram. We took it for a spin and the chucking is pretty much gone. The 2005 has 300k miles and it's a bit tired but I'd say on flat road the chucking/vibration is 80% gone. Now it's time to focus on the truck. I didn't get a chance to crawl under it yet but I was thinking of a few things. let me know if anyone can think of anything else.

* I changed the shocks to Bilstein 4600s about the same time the vibration started. Not sure why this would effect towing but I'll take a look.
* Check the B&W turnover. I bought the truck used so maybe the previous owner didn't torque the bolts.
* Check the u-joints and drive shaft.
* Wheel Bearings
* Balance tires, I did rotate the tires recently so this is at the bottom of the list.

Keep in mind the truck drives perfectly normal without the camper, except for a recent metal on metal noise when I go up a driveway or parking lot curb.

 

[RV2600RB]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I took the B&W Companion out of my 2020 Ram and dropped it into my 2005 Ram. We took it for a spin and the chucking is pretty much gone. The 2005 has 300k miles and it's a bit tired but I'd say on flat road the chucking/vibration is 80% gone. Now it's time to focus on the truck. I didn't get a chance to crawl under it yet but I was thinking of a few things. let me know if anyone can think of anything else.

* I changed the shocks to Bilstein 4600s about the same time the vibration started. Not sure why this would effect towing but I'll take a look.
* Check the B&W turnover. I bought the truck used so maybe the previous owner didn't torque the bolts.
* Check the u-joints and drive shaft.
* Wheel Bearings
* Balance tires, I did rotate the tires recently so this is at the bottom of the list.

Keep in mind the truck drives perfectly normal without the camper, except for a recent metal on metal noise when I go up a driveway or parking lot curb.

Metal on metal noise is never good.
Rich

 

[Memmer99]

I found what I think is excessive play in the drive. The U-joints feel solid so I feel like the play is in rear end gears. Could that cause chucking though? If so hopefully adding some shims in the pinion could fix it. My buddy has the same truck and it tows perfect so I'm going to crawl under tonight and see how much play it has.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Web had a Ford that had that type of a problem. We ended up replacing both half's of the drive shaft u joints and the mid ship bearing.