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
------------------------------
TV+TT with WD bars removed (put in bed of truck):
Steer Axle 2780
Drive Axle 4300
Gross Weight 12160
------------------------------
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!
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
------------------------------
TV+TT with WD bars removed (put in bed of truck):
Steer Axle 2780
Drive Axle 4300
Gross Weight 12160
------------------------------
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!
