Bad sway from Toad

[BurbMan]

My neighbor just got a 2021 Jayco Greyhawk 27U Class C (I think that's the model) and is trying to set up his F-150 4WD crew cab as his toad.

Not sure what equipment he went with but reported that he needed to install Rough Country coilovers in the front of the F-150 for a 2" lift to get the baseplate and associated stuff to fit OK.

First test drive he said the F-150 was swaying so bad behind the MH that he couldn't get over 45 mph. Like a trailer loaded too heavy behind the axles.

He said he installed Sumo springs and a HD sway bar in the back of the MH, and today's test trip he said he got to 65 mph but didn't feel good about it. Truck just doesn't feel stable behind the MH. Mind you, he had the F-150 aligned after the front lift install and it drives great and tracks straight on its own.

My neighbor's ready to bail on the 150 and get a CRV for a toad, but thought maybe the wise folks here might have some additional things to check. Never heard of a toad having sway issues like that. I don't have any experience with either MHs or toads, but thought I would ask here and try to help him out. Is it possible the truck is just too big to be towed behind this short WB MH?

[willald]

I won't argue that an F150 pickup is probably a bit too much weight for this Motorhome to handle. However, I'm wondering if some of the setup here is the bigger issue:

...he needed to install Rough Country coilovers in the front of the F-150 for a 2" lift to get the baseplate and associated stuff to fit OK...

THIS, sounds like it may be more of the issue. Lifting a truck 2" just to set it up to flat tow? That seems strange, and not something I've ever heard of anyone doing.

Could he use a drop bar with his tow bar to bring the tow bar down to the right height, instead of lifting entire truck up? I'd think that would make more sense, and would make for a much more stable towing setup.

Sounds to me like he wanted an excuse to lift his truck up, haha. Which I can definitely understand, nothing wrong with that (we may one day put a lift kit on our Jeep, too). However, between the lift and the weight/size of the F150...It probably just ain't the best choice for a towed vehicle with that Motorhome, and getting something like the CRV like he is talking about doing is probably the best choice.

[BurbMan]

Neighbor towed a TT for many years, so he's no stranger to towing. In fact, he towed his TT with the F-150, so it was already in the stable when he bought the MH. The 4WD trucks are very easy to flat tow, just shift the transfer case to neutral. I emailed him the link to this thread, and I'm hoping he joins in the conversation here.

[RetiredRealtorR]

IMO, what it actually boils down to is that it makes much more sense to have a CRV as a toad rather than a big F-150 4x4 crew cab, UNLESS you actually need that truck for a specific purpose along the way or at your destination.

[Y-Guy]

BurbMan it should be as level as possible when setting the combo up. I've read various articles and I can't say for certain that being unlevel would cause the sway. This article does a fairly good job explaining why being level matters. This video from Demco says it should be level or within 3" in either direction.

My first tow out with our setup I was hyper nervous and getting used how the Jeep felt behind me and watching the camera, but I was the same first time out with our ATV trailer and boat. I did see some minor sway if I hit a pothole with the Jeep but it quickly recovered each time. You might offer to follow behind your friend to see if you see sway as he tows it.

[BurbMan]

Does the tow bar need to be level? Could that cause the sway he is experiencing?

[Grit_dog]

Y-Guy wrote:
Sounds odd, the rating for the RV hitch is 7500# so it's adequate on that spec. The RV is 30' with 185" wheelbase.

Do you know if the towbar was level when hooked up? Without knowing what equipment is being used it's all just pure speculation, but I'm thinking the tow bar setup is the area I'd be looking at.

I agree and why I asked the question above (semi tongue in cheek). As the rvnet trailering police already “diagnosed” some bull-cheese about wheelbase and the crowd was beginning to pile on, when that isn’t the inherent issue.
(For all we know 4th hand info, the guy towing might just be afraid of every little bobble or it might be a real issue)

[Y-Guy]

Sounds odd, the rating for the RV hitch is 7500# so it's adequate on that spec. The RV is 30' with 185" wheelbase.

Do you know if the towbar was level when hooked up? Without knowing what equipment is being used it's all just pure speculation, but I'm thinking the tow bar setup is the area I'd be looking at.

[Grit_dog]

So, honest question, as I’ve only flat towed a little Jeep.
But what is the difference between the setup mentioned here and say towing a full size truck on a dolly behind another full size truck? A dolly is just basically a substitute front axle, right? Tow vehicle is experiencing basically the same thing as a flat tow?
Because the scenario I mentioned isn’t automatically bad because the towed is same wheelbase as the tow rig.

In other words, I have my doubts it’s inherently a wheelbase thing?

[zigzagrv]

BurbMan wrote:
Is it possible the truck is just too big to be towed behind this short WB MH?

Yes! ^^^^^^^^

[Lwiddis]

Having a long wheelbase on a towing vehicle, be it a MH, truck or SUV, is a seldom considered necessity.

[RetiredRealtorR]

That's a big truck with a long wheelbase to be towed behind a relatively short wheelbase Class C. I think his "option B" will work out much better.

[bgum]

Your last sentence or question is likely the problem.