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 SetupTrailer2019 Sunset 253RBDry Weight 5531#Loaded 6700#2019 F150 Ecoboost levelling kit275/65R18 'E' Rated DuratracsRoadmaster Active SuspensionTruck Only - 6063#Front Axle 3395#Rear Axle 2668#GVWR 7850#GAWR F-3750#GAWR R-4800#Truck & Trailer CombinedFront 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??

Ya, several thoughts:#1. Wind buffet and sway are tow entirely different things. Wind buffet will hit you and push you around but will end after a few cycles. Sway will start and the cycles will get worse unless action is taken. Which type do you have?#2. Out of all the figures you have you don't have THE most important. Tongue weight. Tongue weight (or lack there of) causes 95%+ of true sway issues.Get the actual tongue weight and get back to us.BTW, I have towed tons with just a ball hitch with no problems as long as the tongue weight is correct. If the tongue weight is not correct it tows like garbage.

Tongue weight appears to be over 1000 lbs according to those numbers. That seems high if you're using a WD hitch. It's already close to the max I think that hitch can handle.

I'm seeing over 300 lbs removed from the front axle when the trailer is connected. That tells me you're not transferring any of the tongue weight back to the front axle. I'm also seeing around 1300lbs added to the rear axle. So if you are 1000lbs of tongue weight add in the 300 removed from the front axle then there is your 1300lbs.Your going to want a good WD hitch with sway control. I wou go with a Reese Dual Cam. But you'll have to step up to the 1200 lb version as the don't make a 1000lb unless you go with the round bar system but that hangs low and can create clearance issues.I ran the D.C. System on our old trailer and it handled very good.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:Ya, several thoughts:#1. Wind buffet and sway are tow entirely different things. Wind buffet will hit you and push you around but will end after a few cycles. Sway will start and the cycles will get worse unless action is taken. Which type do you have?#2. Out of all the figures you have you don't have THE most important. Tongue weight. Tongue weight (or lack there of) causes 95%+ of true sway issues.Get the actual tongue weight and get back to us.BTW, I have towed tons with just a ball hitch with no problems as long as the tongue weight is correct. If the tongue weight is not correct it tows like garbage.I guess it is likely more of wind buffeting than actual sway.I haven't weighed just the tongue unhitched. It is 554# dry but I realize that really doesn't mean much without actually weighing it with gear, propane, water etc..I was taking the loaded rear axle weight of the truck (3925#) and subtracting the unloaded weight of the rear axle (2668#) so 1250# but I suppose that would be the weight on the rear axle and not the hitch.

^ It's more accurate to add up the hitched front and rear axle weights. 3924 + 3110 = 7034 lbs on the axles This is the truck weight when hitched to the trailer. You have 971 lbs hitch weight. Subtract the truck only weight from the hitched weight. 7034 - 6063 = 971 lbs tongue weight.You lost 285 lbs from the front axle (3395 - 3110 = 285)You gained 1,256 lbs on the rear axle. (3924-2668 = 1256)Your tongue weight it 14.5 percent which you can find by using the tongue weight and the total loaded trailer weight. (971 / 6700 * 100 = 14.5% tongue weight) With almost 300 lbs missing off the front axle I'm betting you're getting light steering more than actual sway of the trailer.Unfortunately it looks like you're going to need a more stout weight distribution hitch like an Equal-i-zer Linkor a Reese Dual Cam LinkThe leveling kit on the truck might be aesthetically leveling the truck. But it's doing nothing to transfer or re-distribute the weight which is what you really need.

Sway Problem / Need Help | Good Sam Community

dodge_guy
Explorer II
May 03, 2020
I wouldn’t worry about the leveling kit or the rod master kit.

Figure your trailers loaded for travel weight and it’s loaded for travel tongue weight. Those are the numbers you need now. Once you get accurate numbers you can then figure out your WD issue.
mikeratz
Explorer
May 03, 2020
dodge guy wrote:
I wouldn’t worry about the leveling kit or the rod master kit.

Figure your trailers loaded for travel weight and it’s loaded for travel tongue weight. Those are the numbers you need now. Once you get accurate numbers you can then figure out your WD issue.

All the numbers I referenced were loaded to where we would be on an average trip.
(6700lb trailer / max allowable trailer and cargo 7500lb)
970lb hitch weight

So by these numbers a 1000# hitch would do but thinking a 1200# would allow some more flexibility as the trailer is not at the max weight??
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 03, 2020
Tell us the size, load range, air pressure, brand and tread style of your tires.
mikeratz
Explorer
May 03, 2020
opnspaces wrote:
^ It's more accurate to add up the hitched front and rear axle weights. 3924 + 3110 = 7034 lbs on the axles This is the truck weight when hitched to the trailer.

You have 971 lbs hitch weight. Subtract the truck only weight from the hitched weight. 7034 - 6063 = 971 lbs tongue weight.

You lost 285 lbs from the front axle (3395 - 3110 = 285)

You gained 1,256 lbs on the rear axle. (3924-2668 = 1256)

Your tongue weight it 14.5 percent which you can find by using the tongue weight and the total loaded trailer weight. (971 / 6700 * 100 = 14.5% tongue weight)

With almost 300 lbs missing off the front axle I'm betting you're getting light steering more than actual sway of the trailer.

Unfortunately it looks like you're going to need a more stout weight distribution hitch like an Equal-i-zer ***Link Removed***
or a Reese Dual Cam ***Link Removed***
The leveling kit on the truck might be aesthetically leveling the truck. But it's doing nothing to transfer or re-distribute the weight which is what you really need.

Just reread this..Is the 970lb in your calculation not just the total weight added to the truck and not the actual tongue weight?
mikeratz
Explorer
May 03, 2020
Lynnmor wrote:
Tell us the size, load range, air pressure, brand and tread style of your tires.

They are in the original post but they are:
275/65R18 'E' Rated Duratracs
I've ran everything from 35/40psi psi to max 75psi and haven't seen any improvement
mikeratz
Explorer
May 03, 2020
Thanks for all the feedback I have gotten so far. It is really helping out. :B
TomG2
Explorer
May 03, 2020
What is the rating on your receiver? Both with and without WD.
opnspaces
Navigator II
May 04, 2020
mikeratz wrote:
opnspaces wrote:
^ It's more accurate to add up the hitched front and rear axle weights. 3924 + 3110 = 7034 lbs on the axles This is the truck weight when hitched to the trailer.

You have 971 lbs hitch weight. Subtract the truck only weight from the hitched weight. 7034 - 6063 = 971 lbs tongue weight.

You lost 285 lbs from the front axle (3395 - 3110 = 285)

You gained 1,256 lbs on the rear axle. (3924-2668 = 1256)

Your tongue weight it 14.5 percent which you can find by using the tongue weight and the total loaded trailer weight. (971 / 6700 * 100 = 14.5% tongue weight)

With almost 300 lbs missing off the front axle I'm betting you're getting light steering more than actual sway of the trailer.

Unfortunately it looks like you're going to need a more stout weight distribution hitch like an Equal-i-zer ***Link Removed***
or a Reese Dual Cam ***Link Removed***
The leveling kit on the truck might be aesthetically leveling the truck. But it's doing nothing to transfer or re-distribute the weight which is what you really need.

Just reread this..Is the 970lb in your calculation not just the total weight added to the truck and not the actual tongue weight?

Yes it's the added weight. I was assuming you towed the trailer up to the scales and then made a few passes, truck alone, truck with trailer and trailer alone. If you did get all the weights at the same time then yes the added weight and the tongue weight are the same thing. The tongue weight is the amount of weight that the tow vehicle carries.

If however you're weights are from different days then yes the calculations can be off by a bit based on the current loading of the trailer.
jerem0621
Explorer II
May 04, 2020
Is your new trailer taller than your old one? We just bought a new TT and it’s 11 ft 2 inches tall. It’s a FOOT taller than my last camper. Let me tell you the wind buffeting is more noticeable from passing rigs and wind.

I double checked my tongue weight and I am well in range of my payload and receiver (I actually weighed it in various configurations)

Also, I have a round bar hitch with dual sway control. I am totally comfortable towing. I am not one to expect to never feel the camper. As a matter of fact I appreciate being able to feel what it it doing some back there. But it’s never out of control or feeling like I’m white knuckling it. My wife sitting right next to me can’t even feel it.

As far as the Andersen, I have my doubts with its benefits approaching the 700-1200 lb tongue weight range. I’d spring for a traditional spring par style WD hitch and dual friction sway control.

JMHO based on experience.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
mikeratz
Explorer
May 04, 2020
I appreciate all the feeback!
So as originally thought, it sounds like I should spring for a new WDH.

From the reviews I looked at I like the Equalizer. It's also a lower profile and my trailer is fairly low (the Reece dual cam does hang down a bit. Had one a few trailers ago)

Should I go with the 1200#?? 1400# would allow more weight options but would it give up ride quality when running less load?

Also according to the Equalizer website you only add behind the axle cargo weight? (I've always used all passengers and truck cargo)

Thanks for putting up with all my questions...:S

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