Coleman Utah - Bouncy Ride

[jkthorstad]

We have a 2000 Coleman Utah. We have a problem with "bounce" when we pull it with our Ford F150 Supercrew. My husband has looked at all kinds of web sites, and has seen this complaint from MANY people. We have tried to load it all kids of different ways to distribute the weight differently, to no avail. We will be coming in October from WIsconsin. I am concerned because he is ready to cancel the vacation (or spend a lot of money on a new camper - money we would rather spend at Disney). Any thoughts or experience with this?

 

[ARRaptorCamper]

Even though you have a pop-up, it's a big one. It's large enough to create a rocking effect that bounces your truck up and down just like it was a larger travel trailer. It may be overkill, but check with your local RV dealer about upgrading your bumper hitch to a equalizing hitch (the one with the bars). You would only need a single bar and could probably get a cheap one from an RV dealer for may a couple hundred bucks. You could add a sway bar as well to take the sway out in high winds.

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

I know I get the same problem with my 93 Coleman. The harmonics from the slabs on some freeways make it feel like you're on a trampoline (as the Queen said in History of the World, Part 2 - "Would you please step on the same foot at the same time. My ti*s are falling off").
I have been seriously considering getting a weight distributing hitch. Now that I am thinking about it some more, I think I'll try it.

 

[stacktester]

We have a 2000 Coleman Utah. We have a problem with "bounce" when we pull it with our Ford F150 Supercrew. My husband has looked at all kinds of web sites, and has seen this complaint from MANY people. We have tried to load it all kids of different ways to distribute the weight differently, to no avail. We will be coming in October from WIsconsin. I am concerned because he is ready to cancel the vacation (or spend a lot of money on a new camper - money we would rather spend at Disney). Any thoughts or experience with this?

If you have a friend with a TT that has a weight distribution hitch ask to borrow it and see how it works before you buy one. You can get the saddles that hook to the tongue that hold the chains up from most trailer shops for a reasonable price. If it doesn't work you haven't lost much and if it does you already have the saddles. I'll almost bet this is going to work.

 

[DaddyDon]

I had this problem than i bought a anti - sway bar hitch!!!!!!! Problem solved.....

 

[jkthorstad]

We already have an anti-sway bar, and it helps a little, but not alot. Also, because the jack is off to the side, you can only get a weight distribution hitch with 1 bar.

Any more ideas would be helpful

 

[proudmomof4]

We also have a Utah (2006) and we tow with a Ford F150 too, we only notice the bounce when we are on the city roads, once we are on the highway, DH says he doesn't even know the pop-up is there.

 

[stacktester]

We already have an anti-sway bar, and it helps a little, but not alot. Also, because the jack is off to the side, you can only get a weight distribution hitch with 1 bar.

Any more ideas would be helpful

You can try the one side but not sure how it will work. If the jack is removable I would almost try that and see how it all works out. One weight distribution hitch may pull the camper crooked. One of mine fell out when I had a tag a long and I could tell it wasn't right.

 

[YellowXterra]

Here goes, I also have a Utah its known as the worst towing Coleman ever made. Load up the trunk with plenty of weight aka Stuff and try it if that don't work load up the trunk and use a Reese Mini 350 hitch. Works like a champ! I have been towing mine all over for 5 years and not one problem even had a blow out last year running 80 + and the hitch held the camper in line.

 

[jkthorstad]

Thanks for the feedback. My husband is going to look into the hitch you have described.

 

[SoundDude]

we have a 2001 Niagara (just as heavy) and we've towed with a full-size Chevy van and now our GMC Acadia, both factory hitches (not bumper). we have a single anti-sway bar. only experience "bouncing" if the hwy slabs are really bad. my thought is that your truck's rear suspension is a bit soft - maybe you can upgrade to stiffer shocks or air bags for when you are towing? then just make sure you dont have an excess of weight behind the trailer axle...you want to keep a constant downward force on the hitch so you dont get a teeter-totter effect with the trailer axle.

hope that helps some.

 

[YellowXterra]

Did you look up the Reese Mini 350? Not sure what the cost these days. I bought mine on line 5 years ago. If you do order one they make one just for Coleman / Fleetwood campers. Its made to fit around the jack.

 

[jkthorstad]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I have convinced my husband that this camping trip will be well worth the Headache's he has now. My only problem is that I can't wait 5 months!

 

[pupnewbie]

My husband and I are in the process of converting from being tent campers to purchasing a pup. I saw an ad for a 2000 Coleman Utah that we're interested in and came across this forum while researching. I can't seem to find the actual dry weight on this unit. Am also interested in the sway issue that was discussed. Have any of the suggestions been utilized? If so, how was the outcome. Any response would be appreciated.