I'm caught in his jet wash!

I feel it in my subcompact car or full-size van also. And when the big truck chops back in closely in front of me, I am buffeted by the turbulence until the truck has pull at least 100 feet away.

Wait till one approaches you on a two lane road, riding the center line, so it passes within a foot of you. A friend had the skin of his trailer ripped off by an oncoming truck passing this close.

I think it is normal. Best thing I can suggest is try to keep your distance, using however much of the road you have left to work with. Slowing down will help, it gets the truck past you more quickly at the same time as giving you more control.

Quad bunks in my book means more weight, ultra light or not. If you want a large trailer, you need a larger tow vehicle. Many 1/2 ton trucks struggle with the weight of a family and large trailer.
Based on my experience, a TT with a gvwr of 6500 or less = good for 1/2 ton truck. 6500 to 10000 gvwr = good for 3/4 truck. You also need the correct wheel base tow vehicle for the length of trailer towed, and braking power to stop.
Your family's safety depends on the right tow vehicle, plus it is nice to arrive at your destination feeling relaxed. Towing should be an adventurous yet relaxing experience.

therink wrote:
P rated tires have soft side walls and are not stable/iideal for towing heavy loads. Once sway conditions start the tire flex (side to side) can make overcoming sway conditions difficult. For comparison load range E tires found in most 3/4 ton and larger trucks have stiffer sidewalls, hence handle heavy tongue load sway better.
My guess is that your commander is overloaded, too short for your trailer and the P rated tires make it worse.
I recommend you take your set up to a scale loaded for camping and post your weight numbers here.

OK, gotcha now. If I were to get a lighter trailer (but the same size or a little larger - we are looking to get a quad bunkhouse sometime next year, hopefully we can find an ultralight), would I potentially be able to use the Commander, or do I pretty much need to look at a pickup?

P rated tires have soft side walls and are not stable/iideal for towing heavy loads. Once sway conditions start the tire flex (side to side) can make overcoming sway conditions difficult. For comparison load range E tires found in most 3/4 ton and larger trucks have stiffer sidewalls, hence handle heavy tongue load sway better.
My guess is that your commander is overloaded, too short for your trailer and the P rated tires make it worse.
I recommend you take your set up to a scale loaded for camping and post your weight numbers here.

therink wrote:
Also P rated tires on the tow vehicle Towing a trailer that heavy adding can also promote sway. (soft sidewalls)

I'm not sure that I understand this... Can you clarify, please?

Well Nomadac you had a Avion and I am talking about an Airstream. No matter how much Avion owners/former owners like to associate themselves with Airstream they just are not one.

bgum wrote:
It also has to do with the shape of your TT . Get an Airstream and the push pull will disappear.

Hogwash, I had an Avion and occasionally still had semi's traveling a faster speed, push me when they passed. A good sway control does help, it would move both the tow vehicle and the TT as one unit.

I get the same thing with my MH when a truck is traveling at a greater speed than I am.

JoeTampa wrote:

therink wrote:
Likely due to short wheelbase tow vehicle. That is a lot of trailer for the Commander.

Also, is that a 243BKS or 243RKS? I did a search for 243BKS and nothing came up. All that came up was 243RKS which is rear kitchen model.

Yep, you're right... Musta fat-fingered my signature. Fixed!

That's what I thought. Anyway, rear kitchen models tend to be tongue light and rear heavy. Ideally, you should have about 13 percent tongue weight in proportion to the loaded weight of the trailer. A light tongue can promote sway issues. Have you taken your rig to a scale loaded?
I would start with that. Also P rated tires on the tow vehicle Towing a trailer that heavy adding can also promote sway. (soft sidewalls)

therink wrote:
Likely due to short wheelbase tow vehicle. That is a lot of trailer for the Commander.

Also, is that a 243BKS or 243RKS? I did a search for 243BKS and nothing came up. All that came up was 243RKS which is rear kitchen model.

Yep, you're right... Musta fat-fingered my signature. Fixed!

The tires are properly inflated and the hitch is set up properly - as near as I can determine, anyway. The truck and trailer are level when hitched and there is no porpoising as I drive. I guess it's just too little tow vehicle for too much trailer - I know that I am not ideal there.