Pro-Pride "tuning"

[Flapper]

Got the new 3P installed per directions. Trailer had to go to dealer for some other work, so got to do a 60 mi. road test, with 20 mph tail or quartering winds.

As advertised, the previous sway I had experienced was gone. Things were still a little "wiggly" (which may just be wind gusts), and there was a bit of "suck" from semi's passing me. That may have been more of the semi's blocking the wind, than actual "suck". Nothing at all bad, and I would be very happy driving long days as-is, but wondering if there is a bit more fine tuning I might be doing.
Hitch height currently has trailer 1/4" (at the hitch) nose high of being level. Height adjustments are in about 1 1/2" steps.
Hitch ("stinger") angle is 1 washer - dead straight on to the socket when hitching up.
Current WD is set to bring front fenders back to unloaded height, still have lots of adjustment left to transfer more to the front (will scale it when picking up from the dealer in a few days).

I've had several prior threads about "towability", so can move on to trying other things (tire pressure, tongue weight, etc.) - but if there are suggestions about optimizing the ProPride itself, I'd appreciate hearing them.

[mkirsch]

If you were having true sway issues before the propride, then what you are feeling is the propride fighting that sway. I'm not a big fan of using a device to stop known sway for just this reason, but to each his own.

The trailer is still trying to sway, so any measures you would have taken aside from the propride to stop the sway, will help to improve that feeling. More tongue weight being the easiest and most obvious.

If you feel you can put up with the inconsistencies, and are confident that the propride will not fail on you at any point in the future, leaving you hundreds of miles from home with a trailer that cannot be towed without a mechanical device to hold it in line, then do nothing.

[ckemp]

I had similar issues with my f150. Mine was not an HD and I was near my weight limits. I never got it sorted out and after a scary drive upgraded to a 3/4 ton. I haven't had a problem since. I see and talk with so many people towing with f150s that have no problems, but from time to time talk with people who have had the same issue you and I experienced. Unfortunately non of them figured it out. Hopefully you will be the one who finds the answer. My best uneducated guess is that it has something to do with the truck's suspension. Good luck

[BarneyS]

Flapper wrote:
Snip...
I've had several prior threads about "towability", so can move on to trying other things (tire pressure, tongue weight, etc.) - but if there are suggestions about optimizing the ProPride itself, I'd appreciate hearing them.

Sounds to me like the hitch is performing as it should.
I feel occasional "pushes" from mine also but it is never enough to require major steering correction. Just a little nudge of the wheel to correct. You are driving a big sail down the road and cannot expect it to feel exactly like driving solo.

As long as you have the WD you require, there is nothing more you can do to improve the function of the hitch.
Barney

[noteven]

evanrem - maybe take a peek at the wheel alignment of your new trailer? I brought home a new cargo trailer one time... it dog tracked so that you could just see the rivets on one side... the tail end would kind of "cover" the shoulder line... let go of the wheel and it would steer a 1 ton off the right side of the lane in about 1/8 mile...you could feel sharpness on one side of the tire tread running your hand across them - scuffage was starting ...had alignment done right away and you could cruise along hands off the wheel...

[evanrem]

You should be able to resolve the passing semi suck by adding more weight to the tongue. I had a 34 foot tt and upgraded to a 35 foot tt which weighs 800lbs more and I'm still trying to dial it back in. I keep adjusting the WD up and down looking for the sweet spot. The old TT towed like a dream. The new one although good is not quite there yet.

[Flapper]

The sway I had before is completely gone. I can't even describe it as a trailer waggle. Just a small bit of steering "imprecision", and some wind buffeting. On my old Jayco 5th, didn't get that until winds were around 30 mph. But, that was a fifth, and there was 4-5 ft. less sticking out from the back of the truck.
I'll get true scale numbers next week, but from prior weighing and the significant added weight of the 3P, I think I'll come in at about 875-900 lbs TW, or 11-12%. Of course, it will tell me how much weight I've restored to the front, also. Tires are not pumped up for the weight, so that may be a large part of it, too (Michelin Defender LTX, 17", LR "E").
Or maybe I just have to learn the characteristics of driving a long TT!
In any event, it is performing much better than before, and even the DW would be comfortable driving it now. Just seeing if I can get the whole combo dialed in from 98% to 100%.
As a general rule, I've learned in problem resolution to change one thing at a time - so currently focusing on best hitch setup, so that can be eliminated as a factor.

[goducks10]

Somethings definately amiss if you're having any sway or push-pull using a PP with your F150 HD. That truck should have no problem towing that TT.
Is the truck moving or just the TT waggling some?

I towed a 31' 7200lb TT with a Max Tow 145" WB F150 using a Hensley Arrow and had zero push pull.
Only thing I can imagine is that with your TT you have too light of a tongue weight. It comes from the factory with a marginal tongue weight, then most all the heavy stuff is back of the axles.
Have you ever weighed the tongue?