First time towing with the new van, not fun!

[The_LeRoys]

So I got to tow with our new van for the first time today. It was one of my worst experiences towing ever. The engine and transmission seemed to run great, but the steering was miserable.

To be fair, my hitch isn't adjusted quite right for the van, its still setup for our truck, but the hitch heights were similar so I figured I could drive it home as is then adjust. We have the equalizer hitch and it has been awesome on this camper and our previous one. It needs to add a bit more weight onto the front wheels. Its not off by much probably 1 hole, but I know its not perfect. THere was some weight on the bars but not a ton.

My tires are brand new Michelin LTX MS2 tires and my alignment was checked and really good. On the road not towing it goes pretty straight downt he road.

When the road was in good shape and straight it seemed to go along pretty well, not as good as my last truck but not unbearable. However as soon as I had to make one steering correction, I ended up having to make about a dozen more to get it straight again, with my tail wagging all over. When the road was uneven (construction zone) or in bad shape, I felt like I was all over the road. If a semi passed me on level ground, there wasn't any sway or pull really felt. BUt if they passed me on the uneven section, it was miserable. A curve in the road when it was uneven was about as bad as you could get. I just felt like I spent the entire time zigging from one side of the lane to the other trying to keep it straight the whole drive.

I wont get a chance to adjust the hitch and try again for probably a week, and we leave for our big trip in under 3, not leaving me much time to correct any issues.

Could not having the hitch perfect really cause me that much misery? Or are there other things I need to be considering? That hitch has been amazing on the same camper and other vehicles in the past.

I remember when we went from a 1/2 ton van in the past (on a different trailer) to a 3/4 ton suburban thinking the towing was night & day better. Is it just towing with a van that is different? Or should I be considering adding something? AntiSway bars to the front or rear axle of the truck? Steering system like Roadmaster?

Thoughts / Suggestions?

[NCMODELA]

E350 ' s were notorious for not having enough front caster from the factory. Just google e350 front caster. I was even more pronounced on the e350 motor homes. Typical from factory is 3.5. Reports say you need at least 5. They sell a 2 degree prearranged bushing that you install allowing you to get to 5 from ingalls. Just look it up. Oversteering is classic example. Try riding a bike with tire right under you vs extended out. I have a e350 too. Does same thing. Just google it.

[Bedlam]

ssia2485 wrote:

The LeRoys wrote:
The tires were at 75 all the way around. So I will drop the front to 60 and raise the back to 80 to match the door.

I adjusted the hitch. The hitch head needed to be raised one hole and 2 washers added. It looks much better now. I tightened the socket bolts some too.

I will take a test drive over to the other side of Tampa one night this week to see how these changes impact it. There is a TA there so I can get weighed and verify my tongue weight.

I did however find that my Equalizer is a 10K model. So I may be right at the edge of its capacity. I may have to look at upgrading that.

I also looked at the truck side by side with the Van. The distance from axle to axle on the truck is 152" while the Van is 139". The distance from back axle to receiver on the truck was 47" whereas the Van was 67". So the wheelbase is over a foot shorter and the receiver is almost 2 feet further back.

Bingo - You found your problem. That 20 inch difference from the axle C/L to the hitch ball will create more sway. The shorter wheelbase is also bad for your application. The van will never handle like the truck because of this. You don't see many vans on the road pulling large trailers for this reason. The van was a bad choice for a tow vehicle.

Many truck campers require 2-4' receiver extensions to clear the camper over hang of the trailer you are towing. I ran a 28" extension on Super Cab short bed truck and had no issues towing an 8k lb enclosed trailer. I will admit I had 7-8k lbs on the rear axle and a diesel engine over the front axle weighing close 5K lbs, so my TW was heavier than my trailer. I suspect your stock rear suspension is too soft (like the Excursion) which is causing all your handling issues. Once you get it firmed up, the van should handle better.

[edm3rd]

One thing that was mentioned very early in this thread. New tires need about 500 miles to wear off the "mold release" used in the manufacturing process. Don't judge your Michelins until you have some more miles on them. I have noticed this on all Michelins I have installed, and Tire Rack also cautions about it.

[The_LeRoys]

I haven't towed much since last June due to some changes in our plans.

Last week I had and additional leaf installed. I hope to give it a test drive this weekend. If its not better, I'll have one more added.

I also had the factory steering stabilizer added.

Hoping for a huge difference!!

[carringb]

3750 would be more than enough I would think. But if the 9-leaf version is rated a little lower, it may ride little better (generally, more leafs with lower rates usually ride smoother).

[lbrjet]

Yes, you have too much weight on the front wheels. You should post your CAT scale wieghts for us.

[The_LeRoys]

Wow! So I checked again to verify that I have 3/1 springs. The smallest replacement pack I can find online is 4/1 and they support 2775lbs.

Looking I see 4/1, 6/1, 9, and 10 leaf options. The capacity of the 9 is actually less than a 6/1. I wonder if the smaller 10 leaf option is too stiff at 4000lbs? Maybe the 6/1 at 3750 is enough?

http://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_Springs_Ford_Van_E250_E350_1992_2011_s/1891.htm

[carringb]

The LeRoys wrote:
That makes sense! Where should I look for a new rear suspension? What brand / model? Should I look at that RoadMaster Active? Rear Air Bags?

I'd suggest getting replacement leaf packs, instead of adding road master or airbags to what you have. It'll cost less, and actually restore some lost carrying capacity. I bought mine from the local wrecking yard for $50. If that still isn't enough, then maybe consider RoadMaster or SumoSprings (I have airbags.... but the do have air maintenance issues....)

[BenK]

IMHO...before you start spending lots of money of parts...figure out what the
root cause of your instability is

From your descriptions...it sounds more like orientation and a maybe too light
of weight...both on the TV's front suspension and tongue weight

Orientation...as in the trailer level at it's highest pointing to pointing
slightly down...on level ground of course

The TV's front end should be brought back to some height/weight as per your manual
Too much rear squat can also cause the front end to feel that way

Not enough will have the TV handle 'squirrelly'

[The_LeRoys]

That makes sense! Where should I look for a new rear suspension? What brand / model? Should I look at that RoadMaster Active? Rear Air Bags?

[carringb]

You are missing a pair of leafs. Our vans came with 5 (and I added two more to mine). That supports my idea that you don't have enough caster, especially since your van is squatting more than normal with a load.

I would really try getting more caster in there (and maybe more rear ride height?) before forking out for a Saf-T-Steer. Also, FWIW some shops will install the factory steering stabilizer for much less than what a Saf-T-steer runs.

[The_LeRoys]

There are 4 leaf springs and the shocks appear to be factory.

Could I have too much weight on front wheels and not enough on rear? Tongue weight is a little over 1000lbs and almost 20% of that is on front wheels. Back axle has only about 4800lbs on it while rated to 6084.

I'm thinking a Safe-T-Plus should be my next step along with a 4 wheel alignment.

Then consider new shocks, and a trac bar.

[Hybridhunter]

It's the amount of free play primarily, Ford has a TSB for the terrible wandering, and some different alignment specs. The poor directional stability is inherent to the E-Series design, and you will have to live with it to an extend. A Propride hitch is likely the most effective bandaide you can get fwiw. Unfortunately, the real solution is to step into something not engineered in the 80's, like the Expedition.

[carringb]

The LeRoys wrote:

With the play in the steering wheel and its wandering. Would a steering stabilizer like a Safe T Plus help?

I had one in my van for a while. It did give the van a nice car-like on -center feel. However, its failure mode made me decide its not worth it.

Mine seized. I'm guessing the spring broke and got bound up somehow. Luckily, it didn't lock up the steering. Instead, the entire mounting bracket (which uses one of the sway bar brackets), ripped out of the frame. I meant I lost roll stiffness, and had to re-drill and tap the frame to re-mount the sway bar.

I wonder if either the alignment is a little toe-out, or it doesn't have enough caster set?

[The_LeRoys]

I will check the springs in the morning.

As for the shocks, it is possible they are factory, I haven't looked at those either yet.

The travel trailer towed like a dream for over 2 years with my Silverado.

With the play in the steering wheel and its wandering. Would a steering stabilizer like a Safe T Plus help?