dingy induced sway
I recently set up our 2019 Ford Fusion Energi to flat tow.
Setup is as follows:
baseplate: Roadmaster
towbar: Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000 (car mounted)
hitch on motorhome: 10" drop hitch with 2" ball
lights: magnetic lights inside on the package tray
brakes: RVI3 brake set to active, 5psi (basically not doing much)
Motorhome setup:
2004 Ford E450 chassis, 30' Fleetwood Tioga
stock suspension
Michelin Agilis tires at 65psi front, 70psi rear. rides smooooth.
4.5 degrees caster in alignment
The tow bar sits level, and there is minimal slop in the setup.
We did our first trip this weekend (around 700 miles total) with the car 4 down and I experienced some sway. Basically anytime I corrected the wheel, or changed a lane, it would induce a lateral push from the rear that took a certain level of concentration to manage.
Not terrible, but definitely noticeable.
For reference, I have dolly towed this same car over 1000 miles on various U-Haul dollies and never experienced anything like this. It was stable and solid. I also tow a boat on occasion with no issues.
I'm thinking it has to do with the ~12' of overhang from axle to ball, in so much as when I make a turn to the left (for example, lane change), the first movement of the toad is actually turning the wheels to the right because of the overhang. Then almost immediately it will correct itself and turn the wheels to the left. Seems like this could be what I'm feeling as a sway inducing thing, and would explain why I don't feel it when dolly towing since the dolly wheels don't turn.
I've got new tires on the motorhome as of this year, so I know they are not an issue. I have new shocks in the garage to install (Bilstein) and I'm hoping that helps, but I'm not sure why it would?
Really I'm thinking I could use a track bar in the rear to reduce lateral movement between the wheels and the chassis.
So my question (finally getting to the point!) is, anyone have experience with four down dinghy induced sway, and do you think a track bar would be a worthwhile investment for it?
Setup is as follows:
baseplate: Roadmaster
towbar: Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000 (car mounted)
hitch on motorhome: 10" drop hitch with 2" ball
lights: magnetic lights inside on the package tray
brakes: RVI3 brake set to active, 5psi (basically not doing much)
Motorhome setup:
2004 Ford E450 chassis, 30' Fleetwood Tioga
stock suspension
Michelin Agilis tires at 65psi front, 70psi rear. rides smooooth.
4.5 degrees caster in alignment
The tow bar sits level, and there is minimal slop in the setup.
We did our first trip this weekend (around 700 miles total) with the car 4 down and I experienced some sway. Basically anytime I corrected the wheel, or changed a lane, it would induce a lateral push from the rear that took a certain level of concentration to manage.
Not terrible, but definitely noticeable.
For reference, I have dolly towed this same car over 1000 miles on various U-Haul dollies and never experienced anything like this. It was stable and solid. I also tow a boat on occasion with no issues.
I'm thinking it has to do with the ~12' of overhang from axle to ball, in so much as when I make a turn to the left (for example, lane change), the first movement of the toad is actually turning the wheels to the right because of the overhang. Then almost immediately it will correct itself and turn the wheels to the left. Seems like this could be what I'm feeling as a sway inducing thing, and would explain why I don't feel it when dolly towing since the dolly wheels don't turn.
I've got new tires on the motorhome as of this year, so I know they are not an issue. I have new shocks in the garage to install (Bilstein) and I'm hoping that helps, but I'm not sure why it would?
Really I'm thinking I could use a track bar in the rear to reduce lateral movement between the wheels and the chassis.
So my question (finally getting to the point!) is, anyone have experience with four down dinghy induced sway, and do you think a track bar would be a worthwhile investment for it?
