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joshuajim's avatar
joshuajim
Explorer II
May 18, 2013

Back from the CAT scale

I took my 13 F150 Max tow and HD payload package (8,200#) for it's first long trip with my trailer. I found the handling in windy conditions to be less than I had hoped. There was very minimal push from passing semi's and no fishtail whatsoever.

Trailer sits slightly low at front and 1000# Equalizer bars are parallel with the trailer frame. Front rise/drop is at 50% per Ford recommendation.

Weights fully loaded and ready to go are as follows:

Truck
Front axle - 3325
Rear axle - 3075
Total 6400

Combined
Front axle - 3125
Rear axle - 4215
Trailer 6960
Total 14300

Any thoughts?

18 Replies

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  • HiTech's avatar
    HiTech
    Explorer
    May 18, 2013
    Sure have. Usually the front tires are too aired up when i feel the same in an RV. Remember the front end is lighter than empty when towing so you have to drop air pressure a little. Otherwise the contact patch is too small and you know from racing why that is bad. I would go a few psi below door sticker or better yet by the wheel weight on the tire chart for those front tires.

    Jim
  • joshuajim's avatar
    joshuajim
    Explorer II
    May 18, 2013
    HiTech wrote:
    Something I found with the electronic sway control is you feel the back end move around a little to oppose the trailer motion. It feels a little strange in high winds but works really well.

    Jim
    Only once when I was rounding a curve at a construction zone that had a temporary rough shoulder that the driver side wheels were on. The temp shoulder had a slight drop off and I was hit with a gust of wind at the same time. The trailer swayed moderately, the sway light on the dash indicator light came on and I felt the correction. The rest of the time it did not appear to act.

    The motion I was feeling was a constant need to correct. I'm going to have the dealer check the front end alignment. The feeling was much like bump steer in a race car if you have ever felt that.
  • joshuajim's avatar
    joshuajim
    Explorer II
    May 18, 2013
    RetSgt7114 wrote:
    What do they charge at the CAT scales?


    $10 for first weigh, $2 for additional weighs.
  • HiTech's avatar
    HiTech
    Explorer
    May 18, 2013
    Something I found with the electronic sway control is you feel the back end move around a little to oppose the trailer motion. It feels a little strange in high winds but works really well.

    Jim
  • joshuajim's avatar
    joshuajim
    Explorer II
    May 18, 2013
    HiTech wrote:
    Did you follow the Ford spec and set up your weight distribution to restore half the rise in the front fender over the wheels? Was your electronic sway control on or off?

    Also with Max tow you have real truck tires (D range?). Did you air them up (in back) or down (in front) for the different weight on them when towing?

    Jim

    Adjusted rise to Ford spec as stated above
    Sway on
    HD payload uses LT Range E tires
    75# rear, 65# front
  • HiTech's avatar
    HiTech
    Explorer
    May 18, 2013
    Did you follow the Ford spec and set up your weight distribution to restore half the rise in the front fender over the wheels? Was your electronic sway control on or off?

    Also with Max tow you have real truck tires (D range?). Did you air them up (in back) or down (in front) for the different weight on them when towing?

    Jim

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