mesa ridge 320res sway issues

[kamperkomic]

I just recently bought a 2014 mesa ridge 320res, and a 2013 ford f250. The rv dealer installed an ezlift wd hitch rated to 10,000lbs and one sway bar. I'm still experiencing more sway than I'm used to. Is there anything that I can do to improve on the situation, or is it something I am going to have to live with?

[handye9]

TomG2 wrote:
If it is set up properly; weight, balance, attitude, it should not sway. Get that right and then spend a few thousand dollars on a hitch if that is what you enjoy doing. You should not need an expensive hitch if all ratings, weights, and measurements are good. Scales and a tape measure will provide more and better information than anything.

I agree.

First thing, check for proper tire pressure on truck / trailer, and the hitch is set up properly. This is where the measurements come in.

You'll need tire pressure guage, measuring tape, pencil, paper (or masking tape), and maybe, tools for hitch ball adjustment.

1. Read the towing section in your truck's owners manual. You may see some of the following.

2. Put truck / trailer on level ground and unhitch.
3. Level the trailer and measure the height to top of the coupler.
4. On the truck, measure height to top of the hitch ball. It should be close as possible to coupler height. Adjust ball height as needed.
5. After step three is complete, pick a spot (near center) on truck bumpers (front and rear), measure and record the height of that spot. This is where masking tape is handy. You can stick it on the bumper and write your numbers on it.
6. Hitch up, install WD bars and again, measure spots on truck bumpers.

Truck bumpers with WD - Front should be + / - one half inch of unhitched measurement. Rear should not be higher than unhitched measurement.

8. Adjust WD bar tension (+ / - chain links) as needed. If your bars are too light, there won't be enough adjusting to get to the + / - half inch on front bumper.

Maybe, your bars are undersized.
Maybe, the hitch was not set up properly.
Maybe, you had something loaded, that took too much weight off the tongue.
Maybe, you had a low tire (or two) on the truck or trailer.
Maybe, it was just ruts in the road.



When you are sure the hitch is set up properly, take the truck / trailer to CAT scales and get weights for :

Truck / trailer with WD
Truck / trailer without WD
Truck by itself

[campigloo]

I have a setup very similar to yours. A properly adjusted WD hitch with proper tongue weight & you shouldn't have a problem. I have two friction bars & 1400# torsion bars. I always use both bars when going over @ 10 miles, but wouldn't really have to. It pulls that straight without sway unless I get passed by a truck or a side wind.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

What's the actual measured tongue weight? If you don't have that, that is your first stop. You have to know that to figure this out.

Also need actual measured trailer weight ready to go camping.

[93Cobra2771]

1000# bars aren't enough. Single add on sway bar isn't enough.

You should look into an equalizer or dual cam at the least. Or a Hensley/Propride at the best. #1400 bars would be my guess as well.

[MiPaJacks]

Take it back to the dealer,and get the right hitch and sway bars. If he sells RVs he should know he didn't install the right equipment for that trailer. If he doesn't know then tell him to come here and ask what he needs to install for you to be safe! You need better hardware!!

[Airstreamer67]

Invest in a second $50 sway bar and weight the trailer to make sure your weight-transfer bars are adequate.

If your hitch weight is too much for the weight-transfer bars, tell your dealer and have him exchange heavier bars which should have been there in the first place.

In fact, he should also give you the second sway bar as the second bar is specified by the hitch maker for trailers over 25 feet, which the dealer should know as it's a well known fact. If he disagrees, ask him to look it up. He's probably liable in the case of a sway-related accident for not providing this in the first place.

[TomG2]

If it is set up properly; weight, balance, attitude, it should not sway. Get that right and then spend a few thousand dollars on a hitch if that is what you enjoy doing. You should not need an expensive hitch if all ratings, weights, and measurements are good. Scales and a tape measure will provide more and better information than anything.

[Wills6_4_Hemi]

I had the same problem, A hensley will make it pull like a 5er. Straight as an arrow. good luck

[APT]

I think you need a 1200-1400 pound WD bars. As long as you are changing, you should use a better WDH too with integrated sway control. But $50 for a second friction sway bar and $15 at a CAT scale will help understand how well the WDH is adjusted and how much TW you have.

[popupcamping]

kamperkomic wrote:
I just recently bought a 2014 mesa ridge 320res, and a 2013 ford f250. The rv dealer installed an ezlift wd hitch rated to 10,000lbs and one sway bar. I'm still experiencing more sway than I'm used to. Is there anything that I can do to improve on the situation, or is it something I am going to have to live with?

until you get a scaled measurement of the TW it is always going to be a guess. Guessing is not for me.

I suspect you may have too light a TW. Weigh it then load up the front of the trailer to maintain 15%

[Lantley]

kamperkomic wrote:
I failed to mention that my rv is a 35ft travel trailer and dry weight is 7500lbs. Tongue weight is 900lbs.

Are those numbers actually measured or are they from a brochure?

[Mike_E_]

I would suggest reading your hitch setup instructions and set the whole thing up yourself. Dealers are not the best spot for a trustworthy intial setup.....in my experience.

The benefit is, you get to know your rig a whole lot better and know it's been done RIGHT.

All the best,

Mike

[kamperkomic]

I failed to mention that my rv is a 35ft travel trailer and dry weight is 7500lbs. Tongue weight is 900lbs.

[Lantley]

My thought is first you need a better hitch. Single friction bar will not do.
Secondly weigh the entire rig to ensure you are properly balance within your tow ratings. What is your tongue weight?