Build my hitch - trying to reduce sway

[CampinHappy]

Just bought a Keystone Premier 29RK. Currently drive a 2017 F-150 4wd with 5.0 engine and 3.73 rear end. The trailer weights are (as of today fully loaded, fresh water 40 gals, grey/black empty, zero propane (oops), dual batteries, generic wdh and sway bar, basic food and groceries, clothes for a few days, and the front storage with the usual assortment of power cables, stinky slinky, chocks, water hoses, and a midsize tool box.

I know a 250 would be better, but not yet, I need to wait a year.

Truck - 5900
Trailer - 7440 , rear axles - 6240, tongue 1200.

Obviously looking at Hensley and the other +$2500 hitches. Wondering if some other could meet my needs.

Today we drove home 250 miles with a steady 20 mph crosswind most of the way (Central Texas to West Texas) and had some sway but no serious white knuckle events.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[BurbMan]

corvettekent wrote:
Move some weight forward in the trailer and add a second sway bar to the hitch.

OP is already at 16% tongue weight, a few more lbs isn't going to do much.

We towed with a Hensley Arrow for 20+ years, set and forget, never worry about the roads or the weather. If you stay with a traditional WD hitch like you have, the secret is to dial in the adjustment down to a gnat's behind. Measure front and rear of truck and trailer to be sure rig is level, be careful not to load too much behind the trailer axles. Rear kitchen models are tough because a lot of the weight winds up in the kitchen (pots/pans are heavier than t-shirts).

Find out where your fresh water tank is...if forward of the axles, you will do better traveling with full water, if behind the axles, tow with it empty.

If you towed all day in a 20-mph crosswind, the set up must be decent, now you just need to tweak it by trial/error to optimize. That, or fork over the cash for the Hensley or ProPride.

[corvettekent]

Move some weight forward in the trailer and add a second sway bar to the hitch.