Shaky towing experience, please advise

Just returned from a recent trip, comprised of three legs, each much longer than our previous trips.

Leg A: 275 miles, mostly on 4 lane divided highways through the Texas hill country. I ran 55-60 mph on average, rarely getting to 65. It was a windy day (30 mph) and there were a few times when the steering felt "slippery" or "light" on the front end (that's the best way I know to describe it). Overall I would say this was an okay-to-good towing experience.

Leg B: 350 miles, mostly on interstate (I-10) in moderate (15 mph?) winds. This was my first extended time towing on the interstate with a TT. I now know what "white knuckling" means! I began at my usual 55-60 mph and worked up to no more than 65 mph. The steering felt very light on the front end and slippery---like I was on ice or hydroplaning. When a tractor trailer truck would pass me, I wouldn't even need to look in the mirror to know when it was 10 ft off my left rear bumper: I could feel a strong pull then push as it came alongside me. I don't mean a small pull-push, I mean severe as if I might lose control. I slowed to 60 mph and this helped, but it was still uncomfortable. I had to slow to 50-55 to feel comfortable, and I don't believe I am a chicken driver. Thankfully, the last hour of our drive was in stop and go (but mostly go) traffic on a 4 lane divided highway running 50 mph at most. This was an extremely welcome relief compared to the previous 5+ hours.

Leg C: About 250 mi, 25 or so on interstate, the rest on 4 lane divided highway but wide open where the speed limit was 70 and 75 mph. The driving experience on this leg was similar to leg A, except on the interstate it was more like leg B. On the divided highways I could run 65 mph and felt comfortable although the push-pull occurred when a big rig would blow by at 75 or 80. I just learned to slow to 55 and scoot to the right of my lane before they reached me.

In all three trips, I had no trouble pulling or stopping or maneuvering the trailer whether in tight traffic or open spaces. I was pleased with the power of my 2011 F-150 Lariat with 5.0L V8, 6 speed transmission. I used Tow/Haul mode almost all the time, locking out 6th gear. The engine braking was very nice and useful in traffic.

So what I want to know is: is my experience normal? If not, what can I do to rectify the situation? The family and I loved the camping but hated leg B and disliked certain parts of leg A/C.

In case it matters, on leg A I had very little (maybe 5 gallons total) in my tanks. On leg B, I probably had 10 gallons total in my tanks. On leg C, I completely drained all my tanks and pushed all the weight I could to the front of the trailer.

On my way home, I stopped and weighed everything in order to get input from you all. This is what the CAT scales said:

TV+TT with WD bars in place:
Steer Axle 3260
Drive Axle 3840
Trailer Axle 5240
Gross Weight 12340
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TV+TT with WD bars removed (put in bed of truck):
Steer Axle 2780
Drive Axle 4300
Gross Weight 12160
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TV only
Steer Axle 3260
Drive Axle 3020
Trailer Axle 0
Gross Weight 6280
------------------------------

According to this link, my rig has

TT weight: 5880
Tongue weight: 800
Tongue weight percentage: 13.8%
TV weight (hitched + WDH engaged): 7100

The door sticker of my truck says GVWR is 7100 lbs and the max weight of passengers and cargo should not exceed 1482 lbs.

My truck sits level when hitched and spring bars in place. I can post a wide angle sideshot if needed.

To reiterate: So what I want to know is: is my experience normal? If not, what can I do to rectify the situation? The family and I loved the camping but hated leg B and disliked certain parts of legs A and C.

Thanks so much for your help!

Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
Your weights seem ok, though the unlatched wd bar total weight is off some compared to total weight w/ wd bars latched up.... Hitch adjustment looks ok.... Husky Centerline- suppose to have built in sway control if it's the upper model as I understand.

I figured 6,060lbs for the trailer, tw- 820lbs, about 13.5%.

What was the tire pressure of both the truck and trailer tires??? What tires are on the truck, p-rated car tires, or LT's???

Any water in any of the tanks if behind the trailer axles?

Maybe YOUR trailer needs a little more tongue weight? It can vary between different models and manufactures, up to 15% or so for a stable tow.

If your fresh water tank is in front of the trailer axles, maybe fill it at least 1/2 fill and take a drive to see how it is??? Couple members are very good at figuring the percentage that would be on the tongue if you give them the measurement from tongue to center of the tank, then center of the tank to the center of the trailer axles (middle between front and rear axles).
texasAUtiger
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
Need-A-Vacation wrote:

What was the tire pressure of both the truck and trailer tires??? What tires are on the truck, p-rated car tires, or LT's???

Tires were brand new Michelin LTX/S2 P275/55/R20. Standard (cold) inflation is 35 psi. I had them 35 front, 40 on back on leg A; then I increased them to 40 and 40 for legs B and C. I asked about LT tires when I got these, but they said they didn't have any for that size.

Need-A-Vacation wrote:

Any water in any of the tanks if behind the trailer axles?

Leg A I had maybe 5 gallons total in gray+black tanks which sit behind the rear trailer axle. Leg B I had more, 10+ gallons. On leg C, I drained everything completely in an effort to eliminate that variable.

In all three trips, I had zero water in the fresh tank (which is at the front of the TT).

Need-A-Vacation wrote:

Maybe YOUR trailer needs a little more tongue weight? It can vary between different models and manufactures, up to 15% or so for a stable tow.

If your fresh water tank is in front of the trailer axles, maybe fill it at least 1/2 fill and take a drive to see how it is??? Couple members are very good at figuring the percentage that would be on the tongue if you give them the measurement from tongue to center of the tank, then center of the tank to the center of the trailer axles (middle between front and rear axles).

Thanks, this is the kind of input I was looking for.

PS As for the 180 lb gross weight discrepancy, I was standing outside the vehicle during all three weighs (so I could reach the call button) and I weigh 180lbs! Maybe I was standing slightly on the scale during the first weigh but slightly off the scale on the second one? That might explain it.

My hitch is a Husky Centerline TS with 800-1,200 lb spring bars. This one does have WD + antisway. It was set up at the dealer for an empty trailer (whose dry weight is 5080 per the manufacturer).
csamayfield55x
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
First thing, get some LT rated tires on your truck! P rated tires are GARBAGE for towing. The next get the trailer tires to max pressure or -5psi from max. That will help.

Did you take measurementsfrom the top of the tires to the wheel wells loaded and unlaoded? Try and get the same sag on all 4 wheels when your bars are tightened up. This will make sure you have the best weight distribution.

The last thing I will say is relaxing. Tractor trailer will push you around. If you pay attention and know when they are coming you can get yourself ready slide to the right and give yourself some room. Don't fight it, control the action of the truck.

Towing a giant box is not like driving a car, you have to be on your guard all the time. The route there is not a time for the driver to relax, that is when you get where you are going. I have my wife trained to hand me a nice cold beverage as soon as setup is done because she knows that driving is not a fun part of camping. It doesn't have to be a horrible time but it is not when you should let your guard down

Chris
MNRon
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
Your weights look good.

Your picture looks like the TT might be a little nose-high. If anything you'd like it to be slightly nose-low for best towing experience, not high.

Also recommend you check tire pressures as someone mentioned, LTs would work better than Ps.

Lastly, watch your speed. Don't tow faster than is comfortable. ST trailer tires are mostly max of 65mph. I personally tow at ~63mph, it makes for a comfortable experience (FW helps too) so much so that I enjoy towing more than driving without the tail. Just lock in cruise control, sit in the right lane and watch the scenery.

It gets easier each time you do it, modify your set-up to be slightly nose-low instead of high and enjoy the ride.
texasAUtiger
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
MNRon wrote:
Your weights look good.

Your picture looks like the TT might be a little nose-high. If anything you'd like it to be slightly nose-low for best towing experience, not high.

Also recommend you check tire pressures as someone mentioned, LTs would work better than Ps.

Lastly, watch your speed. Don't tow faster than is comfortable. ST trailer tires are mostly max of 65mph. I personally tow at ~63mph, it makes for a comfortable experience (FW helps too) so much so that I enjoy towing more than driving without the tail. Just lock in cruise control, sit in the right lane and watch the scenery.

It gets easier each time you do it, modify your set-up to be slightly nose-low instead of high and enjoy the ride.

Here are a few side pics (from these very trips) to judge for nose up/nose down. This is without passengers.

(The truck and trailer weren't straight on that last one.)

Looks pretty level to me, maaaaybe a tad nose high?

When you say, "watch your speed" does that mean that it is normal to expect to only go 50-55 on interstates?
IdaD
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
I think your tires are probably a pretty big problem. I'm sure you could change the size marginally and get into an E rated LT set. Unfortunately you'll eat it on the P tires you already bought.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
Sounds like you are saying the front end feels light. Crank up the bars a little, putting more weight on the front end of the truck and see if that helps.
csamayfield55x
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
Ron, I think you are right. It does look just a bit to nose high. Too bad you couldn't go 1/2 a hole.

Drop your hitch one hole and then reset your load leveler bars and make sure you have the same drop on all 4 corners. If you have too much pressure on the bars it can be squirly too.

When the trailer place set up my brothers toy hauler they had his nose high just about like that. He was so upset coming home he was ready to take it back and that was before EVER putting anything in the tail. I told him to relax and we would straighten it out. Dropped it down one hole on the stinger and it turned it into a different trailer. RV dealers are the worst to set up hitches!!

Chris
Walaby
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2015
Looks like, according to your numbers, the WD hitch has not/does not put anything on the front axles. With WD bars and Tow vehicle only, your front axle numbers are the same. That could be some of it.

With your WD hitch, you have about 820lbs tongue weight. Tow vehicle alone rear axle weight is 3020, with TT and WD bars rear axle weight is 3820. Difference is tongue weight. Trailer axle weight of 5240 suggests your tongue weight of 820 is just north of 15%, which would appear reasonable/good.

I think, as others have suggested, maybe the issue is the tires on the TV itself. Seems like everything else is reasonbly well setup. Maybe, as pointed out, you could adjust WD bars to put a tad more weight up front to give you some "more control".

I'd probably start with adjusting the bars to put some weight up front, but be prepared to buy some real LT tires.

Everything else seems to be in order.

Mike
deltabravo
Nomad
Jul 31, 2015
I'd agree with the above folks - it's the P-rated tires on the truck.

I've lost track how many of that same floor plan Bullet, Springdale and Coleman TTs I've towed with my 2006 truck and I've never experienced any of the issues you described.