Heavier WD Bars Or Different Sway Control

Towing a 36' 8,500lb trailer, 950lb hitch weight, with a 2015 Silverado LT 5.3 with towing package.

I wouldn't tow that with my truck, but if you are doing what you are doing in those kinds of winds, then, there you go..

Increasing the ratings on the bars will apply some more weight transfer to the front end of the truck, but then can your frame mounted hitch handle that extra stress??

Sounds like your base foundation (truck) is really the weak link, but you just gotta do what you gotta do..

Good luck!

Mitch

You can't magically make the wind go away, the side pressure will still be the same regardless of what hitch you have. Yes, a firmer connection to the truck will lessen the feel but it might be better to just keep it as is and take the hint that maybe you should pull over and wait for better conditions.

What you describe is one of the reasons that folks on this forum often recommend a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, for trailers the size of yours, for more safety margin.

Towing at or near your TV’s limits isn’t fun as you have discovered.

Get a hensley arrow or propride hitch.

That’s a lot of trailer for a 1/2 ton truck. Heavier bars won’t likely help what you are experiencing. At 950lbs you are a little light on tongue weight for best stability. You should closer to 1100lbs (13percent).

Do you have LT tires aired to the max?

It doesn't matter what kind of tow vehicle, trailer, or hitching system you may have, when a side wind hits and it's hard enough, you're going to get pushed around like a match box car inside a dryer on the spin cycle.

The taller the trailer, the more you'll feel the push of the wind. A heafier truck will help, but there is a point where even a heftier truck has it's limits.

If it can happen to these guys, your rig is no match. Click here. It's not your hitch, it's just your rig was at the edge of it's limits. Next time, slow down your speed or stop completely until the weather calms down.

DutchmenSport wrote:
It doesn't matter what kind of tow vehicle, trailer, or hitching system you may have, when a side wind hits and it's hard enough, you're going to get pushed around like a match box car inside a dryer on the spin cycle.

The taller the trailer, the more you'll feel the push of the wind. A heafier truck will help, but there is a point where even a heftier truck has it's limits.

If it can happen to these guys, your rig is no match. Click here. It's not your hitch, it's just your rig was at the edge of it's limits. Next time, slow down your speed or stop completely until the weather calms down.

X2-- Those winds are too dangerous to tow..no matter what WD hitch you have. I have been there and done that and it is not worth the risk or the stress! Just watch your weather app and if you see 30MPH or more, stay an extra day!

I agree that you have too much trailer, too little truck, and not enough tongue weight. The hitch doesn't even make the list.

I'm not too far off your trailer (33', 7606 empty, currently about 9200 lbs) and have a 3/4 ton with 1000 Spring bars specifically to help with what your dealing with. I haven't towed this rig (Trailer is about 2 months old) in crazy heavy winds yet but I'm not delusional that because I have a 3/4 ton, I won't ever deal with what your dealing with. I think it gives me a little more cushion having a heavier truck that's not anywhere close to maxed out on it's GVWR when those bad conditions come up. There will likely still be a time I decide it's a good time for a long lunch or we are going to stay an extra day because of a front moving through that would make our trip a tension filled, stress inducing towing skill demonstration.

If you haven't had to pull over because of road or weather conditions, keep towing, you will. Happens to everyone with any sense on occasion. The ones with no sense, end up in an accident or are just lucky. There are conditions that aircraft don't fly or land in for a reason (Wind Shear). We are pulling a 100" wide, 30' long+ wing behind a truck and there are conditions that it's just not safe to pull anything other than a low profile popup in.

I've towed the TT in my sig with the same setup. I think your tongue weight is probably a little light. A trip to a 'Cat Scale' would provide you with figures to start with. Have you checked your light/heavy height measurement on your truck? One other side would be are you towing on P'Metric tires? If so a change over to a LT Tire would help-you firm up your tow vehicle.

I tow with the same hitch setup as yours and I was light on my bars. I went with the proper weight bars and my sway problem disappeared. High-winds are another matter altogether slow down till manageable or stay parked in a safe spot.