Sway Problem / Need Help

mikeratz wrote:
I am towing a 253RB Sunset Trail(30') with a F150 Ecoboost and am having a hard time with it if there is ANY wind at all.
For the most part it tows ok on a calm day but if there is any wind at all it feels very unstable in the back end and reduce speed considerably / "white knuckling" it.
I am using a Anderson hitch which I am debating on changing out with something that can transfer the weight better. I also added a Roadmaster suspension kit to the truck to help take some of the squat out.
I used this hitch on my last Sunset trailer which was a foot bigger so figured it would be fine. (Although we never had it long so maybe just never noticed) Tow vehicle then was a 2015 F150 Ecoboost with Goodyear airbags.

Current Setup
Trailer
2019 Sunset 253RB
Dry Weight 5531#
Loaded 6700#

2019 F150 Ecoboost
levelling kit
275/65R18 'E' Rated Duratracs
Roadmaster Active Suspension

Truck Only - 6063#
Front Axle 3395#
Rear Axle 2668#
GVWR 7850#
GAWR F-3750#
GAWR R-4800#

Truck & Trailer Combined
Front Axle 3110#
Rear Axle 3924#
Trailer Axles 5710#

I can't get all the sag out and am wondering if the Anderson is just too light for this setup and possibly what is causing it to feel unstable as well.

Any thoughts, hitch recommendations??

You have a couple of questionable mods to your truck.

The "leveling kit" is one, leveling out the truck means you have removed the "rake" (IE the front should ALWAYS be lower than the rear when empty) of the truck (looks "cool" to be level).

Now when a real load is applied the preleveled vehicle WILL now "squat".

This changes how the weight transfers (you are losing 300 lbs of front weight) and in your case, is not transferring from the rear to front.

The "active suspension" is another questionable mod, looks like a simple bolt on spiral spring which parallels one side of the rear leaf spring.. Does nothing and cannot do anything to "improve" sag, it was designed to reduce "axle wrap" (axle wrap is the twisting movement of the axle which flexes the leaf springs) under hard acceleration.. It is not needed and is a worthless addition unless you were experiencing axle wrap under heavy acceleration.

To get rid of your sag, you might wish to rethink that "leveling kit", needs removed. Otherwise attempting to reduce the sag, you will need a stronger WD than you should need without the leveling kit.

The danger of a heavier WD is you may end up causing too much stress on the trailer tongue and rear hitch receiver which can cause catastrophic failure of the trailer tongue or the vehicle hitch receiver..

Now, addressing the "wind induced sway or push", yeah, not much can be done about this. You have basically a huge billboard you are towing, it IS going to catch and push your entire rig around. Fixing the weight loss on the front axles should reduce SOME of this but not all. Speed can also play into how much you feel, in high winds, slow down, things will react better at slower speeds.

Something else to consider, you might be near your max cargo payload for your vehicle unless you have the Max tow/Max Payload factory option..

Not unusual to find F150s with 900-1,200 lb payloads depending on cab style, bed length and your trim options.. Only Max tow/Payload option with regular cab shortbed XL trim and 4x2 will get you payloads of 2,200-2,500 or so lbs..

Post your trucks payload which will be listed on the yellow sticker on your drivers side door post..