txnese wrote:
I was using Mfg weights.
Load up as if you are going camping and swing by a CAT scale. Take 3 measurements (first is around $12 and reweighs are around $3):
- Trailer attached with WDH connected.
- Trailer attached with WDH disconnected.
- Truck by itself.
I'm betting you have one or more weight issues and it's showing up in the handling.
Assuming you can't or won't move to a pickup:
- Very good chance the truck is over it's payload limits. Tow rating is only one consideration. Look on the door jam for a yellow sticker. It lists the actual payload. But looking online, it appears to be around 1600lb. Assuming your 30ft trailer is around 10,000lb, the hitch weight could easily be 1500lb which counts against the payload. Any passengers or gear in the truck also count against payload.
- What is the hitch weight percentage? Ideally, you want around 12-15% of the fully loaded trailer weight on the hitch (more is actually better but conflicts with the need to stay within payload limits for the truck). Get below 10% and they have a tendency to sway. You will feel when semis blow by but it should settle down almost immediately. If it keeps swaying, that's a problem.
- If it's a heavy trailer, the 1000lb bars on the WDH might not be enough. Also, 50% of how much life on the front are you returning?
- If you are pushing 10,000lb, a gas engine will need a lot of RPM in hills. Gas engines generally make peak HP up around 3500-4500 RPM. If the drivetrain is otherwise in good shape, other than noise and fuel burn, there should be no harm. What kind of slope and what kind of RPM were you experiencing?
Depending on what you find at the CAT scales...If you will be towing regularly (especially in hilly/mountainous areas) and you can't switch to a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup, I would be looking at 3/4 or 1 ton BODY ON FRAME full size vans. That should address payload issues. Then you have the choice between a big fuel hungry gas motor that will rev climbing hills or a much more expensive diesel motor which will keep the RPM more sedate and handle high altitude better...depends on how much and where you tow.
