First time towing with the new van, not fun!
So I got to tow with our new van for the first time today. It was one of my worst experiences towing ever. The engine and transmission seemed to run great, but the steering was miserable. To be...
Forum Discussion
I've got the new 14K Hitch on and have it adjusted perfectly. I've taken it to be weighed and things look to balance out really well. Plenty of weight on the front wheels, good percentage of tongue weight. THe tires are inflated properly on van & camper. I had taken it on a few short test tows, and it seemed better, not as great as a diesel pickup, but better.
So I was feeling pretty good heading out on a 300 mile drive today. Day one of our 11 week trip. By about an hour in I was ready to cancel the trip and go home. It was very windy, rainy, and I was driving through the construction zones on uneven pavement with a lot of tractor trailers passing me. I was being pushed and pulled all over the road, it was very uncomfortable. It wasn't as bad as the first tow, but it wasn't a pleasant experience either.
I stopped after a few hours and made some adjustments. First taking off the hitch haul on the back of the camper which had a few totes on the back, and moving that weight further forward. It got slightly better, but still not great.
I found holding the wheel with resistance in both directions in both hands helped some as well. The steering wheel seems very sensitive and the slightest movement will cause a big reaction on the back end.
The hitch sway control on the equalizer seemed to end sway pretty quickly, but the amount of pull on the TT and TV was still far more than I'm used to with a truck. I'm pretty sure its because of the hitch being so far behind the rear wheels on the van compared to a truck acting as a HUGE lever.
It seems we're moving in the right direction of improving things, but its not as good as I want it to be yet. What should I consider next? Should I post this or have it moved to a Class B/C issue because people towing there would have a similar wheel base and steering issue?
I'm thinking something like the roadmaster active suspension? Or would a track bar be my next option?
So I was feeling pretty good heading out on a 300 mile drive today. Day one of our 11 week trip. By about an hour in I was ready to cancel the trip and go home. It was very windy, rainy, and I was driving through the construction zones on uneven pavement with a lot of tractor trailers passing me. I was being pushed and pulled all over the road, it was very uncomfortable. It wasn't as bad as the first tow, but it wasn't a pleasant experience either.
I stopped after a few hours and made some adjustments. First taking off the hitch haul on the back of the camper which had a few totes on the back, and moving that weight further forward. It got slightly better, but still not great.
I found holding the wheel with resistance in both directions in both hands helped some as well. The steering wheel seems very sensitive and the slightest movement will cause a big reaction on the back end.
The hitch sway control on the equalizer seemed to end sway pretty quickly, but the amount of pull on the TT and TV was still far more than I'm used to with a truck. I'm pretty sure its because of the hitch being so far behind the rear wheels on the van compared to a truck acting as a HUGE lever.
It seems we're moving in the right direction of improving things, but its not as good as I want it to be yet. What should I consider next? Should I post this or have it moved to a Class B/C issue because people towing there would have a similar wheel base and steering issue?
I'm thinking something like the roadmaster active suspension? Or would a track bar be my next option?
