Tongue Weight (getting sucked in by trucks)
Hi, I have an old 1964 DeCamp travel trailer. The sticker says it is 2000 lbs...which I fail to believe. Last summer I towed it with a Mercury Mariner, which has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs... howev...
Forum Discussion
Hey bud, no harm in asking. It's how we all learn.
To summarize some of the above suggestions......
First make sure both vehicles are as "stiff" as possible. Max tire pressures and if you can find LT tires for the tow vehicle that will help with tires squirming around thus reducing the effect.
Proper tongue weight. You say it tows fine otherwise so I don't think you're grossly off here, but too little tongue weight is worse than too much, but either will contribute to increased sway.
Lastly if it's still not acceptable, additional rear suspension/sway bar on the rear of the tow vehicle.
Remember though, as you're admittedly inexperienced and towing with about the smallest rig you can get away with for your trailer, what you're feeling is possibly not going to get any better with your current setup.
Again, high profile trailers respond differently to the wind blast or vortex from the big rigs. I have a 32' enclosed trailer that I pull with my 2500 Dodge. It weighs less than half of what that truck is rated to tow, but I know that when I'm blowing by a semi in the left lane I need both hands on the wheel and have to do some active input to keep from getting tossed around some.
To summarize some of the above suggestions......
First make sure both vehicles are as "stiff" as possible. Max tire pressures and if you can find LT tires for the tow vehicle that will help with tires squirming around thus reducing the effect.
Proper tongue weight. You say it tows fine otherwise so I don't think you're grossly off here, but too little tongue weight is worse than too much, but either will contribute to increased sway.
Lastly if it's still not acceptable, additional rear suspension/sway bar on the rear of the tow vehicle.
Remember though, as you're admittedly inexperienced and towing with about the smallest rig you can get away with for your trailer, what you're feeling is possibly not going to get any better with your current setup.
Again, high profile trailers respond differently to the wind blast or vortex from the big rigs. I have a 32' enclosed trailer that I pull with my 2500 Dodge. It weighs less than half of what that truck is rated to tow, but I know that when I'm blowing by a semi in the left lane I need both hands on the wheel and have to do some active input to keep from getting tossed around some.
