Wagging the tail

rrupert wrote:
I worked for a Coleman dealer and he advised customers that had models with the front storage trunk like yours to keep the trunk weighted with your heaviest items. They tend to be tail heavy and must have added forward weight. Also, make sure your tires are kept at the maximum recommended pressure.

This is exactly how we're loaded. Nothing heavy goes behind the axle. The kitchen, galley, tools (I have a 4-drawer toolbox), lantern, carpet, stakes, inflater, ice chest, etc. all are in front of the axle. We have one slide that is exactly balanced halfway on the axle. The weight is definitely forward, but it's still not much weight overall. The camper GVWR is 3,500 lbs. and I doubt I'm over 2,700 lbs. Haven't had a chance to visit the scales yet.

I do keep the tires - check them at a filing station at the beginning of each leg of a trip.

Road Ruler wrote:
You are driving a dangerous combination and the sway issue needs to be fixed ASAP.

Suggest getting your rig to a towing specialist for analysis and resolution. Also 65MPH is too fast when towing a trailer.

Thanks for taking time to respond. I think that seems a little alarmist, but your concern is noted.

I've seen the speed debates on this forum. I would not tow over 65 mph, but nothing in my rig prevents me from safely going up to it, especially on long, straight Interstates or highways like we have in Texas (where I'm still 20+mph under the limit). I-10 is a long, straight roadway and I bet the majority of RVers would be comfortable going 65 mph on a bright, sunny, mild-termperature day when there's no construction and no traffic.

I will look into the possibility of adding a sway bar if ya'll think that is the solution. Like I said, this happened fewer than five times on an 1,800 mile trip. I'm at about 1/3 of my max tow rating and less than that of my payload. My van could stop this camper on a dime without the trailer brakes - and yet, the trailer does have brakes and I use a Prodigy controller. I don't think there's anything inherently dangerous about my setup as a whole.

Ya'll have convinced me to continue to investigate this phenomenon and look for a solution. That's the whole reason I started this thread.

Also know that the picture in my signature is not quite accurate. That was with a 1 1/2" drop. I'm now using a 3 1/4" drop that has my nose just below level. In the picture, I was a little nose-high. That pic is with the hitch my FIL gave me. I bought a new one before our trip.

I appreciate all of the feedback thus far! Thanks!