Trailer sway

[cactusdog]

I recently bought a new 23-ft trailer, my old one was 18-ft. I have only taken it on one trip so far. I have noticed that this trailer has considerably more sway than the old one. I am set up with a WD hitch and a sway bar on the passenger side. I'm looking for some suggestions to control the sway.

• Maybe another sway bar installed on the driver's side?
• Does which link you put your spring bars on affect sway? (It seems like it has less sway on the 2nd link vs the 3rd)
• It also seemed to have less sway when I towed it home from the dealer - they had filled the fresh water tanks - 80 gallons worth.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions!

[bbaker2001]

i think as you approach 825 hitch weight it will be better.
i am close to same and i had to get 900. perfect now.

[cactusdog]

Thanks for all the good suggestions, everyone! That is why I post here. This is what I found out today:

I took my new rig to a CAT scale and got these weights: Trailer - 6040 lbs (max 7250, truck capable of towing 10320), Truck + Trailer - 11740 (GCWR 15950), TW 640. The rig is almost fully loaded and ready to camp - except for some clothes and food.

I lowered the hitch ball one notch as many suggested, after reading the stickies on the forum and doing the measurements. It did seem to tow a little better, but still more sway than I'd like. It doesn't sway into ever-widening arcs, but I can definitely feel every car that passes - my old 18-footer was much more stable.

My next step will be to redistribute some weight in order to increase TW more towards 15%. I have to be careful though, as my current hitch has a TW limit of 750 lbs. The ultimate answer seems like it may be a new hitch that has a higher max TW if I can't get a comfortable ride with this one without exceeding 750.

Thanks again for your help here - there were some very useful suggestions. If there's anything else I should be aware of, please message me (I think the Moderator is going to close this thread now).

[BarneyS]

Since the OP had his question answered long ago, and the thread is now way off topic it is time to close this one.
Barney
Edit: Thread re-opened for OP to make final post.

[mowermech]

I find it interesting that the truck argument rears its ugly head again.
I once had a 19 foot TT. I towed it with either a Dodge 3/4 ton flatbed with Load Range E tires, or a Jeep Wagoneer with P rated tires, or a Ford E150 Club Wagon with P rated tires. The Dodge had a 400 V8, the Ford had a 351, and the Wagoneer had an AMC 360. I had to use a WD hitch on the Wagoneer to keep the back bumper off the ground. I did not use the WD hitch on the others.
I towed that trailer on 2 track dirt roads in the mountains, over mountain passes on 2 lane highways, and on the freeways(what few we have here).
I did not use any sway control of any kind.
Never had an accident, never had sway, barely had any wind wander. The trailer was rock solid behind all three tow vehicles!
(sigh)Just lucky, I guess. Proper loading couldn't have had anything to do with it, right?

[Terryallan]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"That truck should handle that trailer no problem. All it needs is to be properly set up"

It does not do you much good when your TV is properly setup and you find your self rolled over and pointing back at the traffic that was behind you!

Yes that happened to me! Portland "S" curves. You people with "properly" set up rigs are living in La La land!

That is why I say you need more TV than you think to control a TT!

IF your trailer had been properly setup, and driven correctly, you would not have been facing the wrong way. Most all accidents like that are driver error. Actually all are. It is the drivers responsibility to make sure the rig is setup right, and driven right, like maybe slowing down for curves.

Not every one needs a Simi to tow a 23' 6000lb trailer. But even 18 wheelers act up when not setup correctly, They wiggle they wobble when the weight is not distributed correctly.

Yup you were there and you know it all. It was setup by a Trailer business that had been around for many years and was the premier company in the area.

Fact is when coming down hill on a corner that does not have enough bank Chit can happen. Speed limit was observed. State patrol call the area something like RV Death alley.

So you just keep on thinking that these 1500 trucks with SOFT tires can tow anything as long as it was properly setup!

You newbies take it from someone that has been there you need more truck than you think to safely tow a TT.

Seems you are a newbe as well. And yes. There is a chance I have been there.
First. Just because it was setup by a "Trailer business" does not make it correct. Second. They more than likely set it up empty. You have to reset it after you load it. Third. You were obviously going too fast for the turns. Plus 1500 can't tow "anything" but can safely, and easily tow what is in their weight capacities.

It is entirely up to YOU to slow down, and travel at a safe speed around any curve, No matter what the speed limit is. YOU are driving. YOU have to make the correct decisions, You made the wrong one. Had you slowed down to your ability to safely go around the curve. You would not have wrecked. Don't blame it on the truck. That is driver error. Nom matter what any one says. Too fast for the curve.

As for me knowing what a 150, or 1500 can do. I have been doing this for more than 30 years. My trailers follow along just like they are supposed to. Why? I get them right, and I drive like I am towing a trailer. Cause I am. I leave more space between me and the car in front of me. I navigate curves more slowly, well below speed limit signs. the mountain twistys we travel on, are posted way to fast for trailer towing. It is my job to know that.
I also start stopping for lights, and signs much earlier. So in fact. The real secret, is to drive like you are towing a trailer.
BTW. I did the same thing when I drove the big trucks. And My 150 handles my TT much better than the road tractor handled the 47' 13' high, 45K trailer. Stops faster as well.

It is all about setup, and the driver, meaning, it all about the driver. It is his job to setup something he can drive. And yes. Not every one has the same skill level. That is why they drive oversized trucks

[pappcam]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

pappcam wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"That truck should handle that trailer no problem. All it needs is to be properly set up"

It does not do you much good when your TV is properly setup and you find your self rolled over and pointing back at the traffic that was behind you!

Yes that happened to me! Portland "S" curves. You people with "properly" set up rigs are living in La La land!

That is why I say you need more TV than you think to control a TT!

Wow. You're adding nothing to this thread.

To the OP. Start from scratch setting up the WDH correctly for that truck and trailer combo.

Yup you are correct!

He went to a larger RV and the fact is you need to step up to a larger TV at some point or at least go to a heavier duty tire as I suggested.

Nothing wrong with suggesting better LT tires but that trailer will likely weigh around 6000-7000 lbs. for camping and that is still 1/2 ton territory if it's equipped correctly.

Stepping up to a larger TV is a good idea when it's required to step up to a larger TV.

[Cummins12V98]

pappcam wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"That truck should handle that trailer no problem. All it needs is to be properly set up"

It does not do you much good when your TV is properly setup and you find your self rolled over and pointing back at the traffic that was behind you!

Yes that happened to me! Portland "S" curves. You people with "properly" set up rigs are living in La La land!

That is why I say you need more TV than you think to control a TT!

Wow. You're adding nothing to this thread.

To the OP. Start from scratch setting up the WDH correctly for that truck and trailer combo.

Yup you are correct!

He went to a larger RV and the fact is you need to step up to a larger TV at some point or at least go to a heavier duty tire as I suggested.

[Cummins12V98]

Terryallan wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"That truck should handle that trailer no problem. All it needs is to be properly set up"

It does not do you much good when your TV is properly setup and you find your self rolled over and pointing back at the traffic that was behind you!

Yes that happened to me! Portland "S" curves. You people with "properly" set up rigs are living in La La land!

That is why I say you need more TV than you think to control a TT!

IF your trailer had been properly setup, and driven correctly, you would not have been facing the wrong way. Most all accidents like that are driver error. Actually all are. It is the drivers responsibility to make sure the rig is setup right, and driven right, like maybe slowing down for curves.

Not every one needs a Simi to tow a 23' 6000lb trailer. But even 18 wheelers act up when not setup correctly, They wiggle they wobble when the weight is not distributed correctly.

Yup you were there and you know it all. It was setup by a Trailer business that had been around for many years and was the premier company in the area.

Fact is when coming down hill on a corner that does not have enough bank Chit can happen. Speed limit was observed. State patrol call the area something like RV Death alley.

So you just keep on thinking that these 1500 trucks with SOFT tires can tow anything as long as it was properly setup!

You newbies take it from someone that has been there you need more truck than you think to safely tow a TT.

[pappcam]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"That truck should handle that trailer no problem. All it needs is to be properly set up"

It does not do you much good when your TV is properly setup and you find your self rolled over and pointing back at the traffic that was behind you!

Yes that happened to me! Portland "S" curves. You people with "properly" set up rigs are living in La La land!

That is why I say you need more TV than you think to control a TT!

Wow. You're adding nothing to this thread.

To the OP. Start from scratch setting up the WDH correctly for that truck and trailer combo.

[bbaker2001]

I have a 23.5 trailer and it had sway. I had a couple extra batteries and put them in back of truck/ took a ride and when sway started I added weight to front of trailer, found out at scales how much tongue weight I was short. also tested link setup. added weight is what fixed it for me. now rides great.
also I am maxed out on load an am looking at new truck.
not sure dodge or Chevy diesel

also everyone do no get in hurry. coming south on 97 in Oregon and truck going North tried to pass semi and clipped his back trailer, air lifted to hospital. ugly

[Terryallan]

Cactusdog. From looking at your picture. You are nose high. Looks to have unloaded the front / steering axle. A sure cause of sway.

[Terryallan]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"That truck should handle that trailer no problem. All it needs is to be properly set up"

It does not do you much good when your TV is properly setup and you find your self rolled over and pointing back at the traffic that was behind you!

Yes that happened to me! Portland "S" curves. You people with "properly" set up rigs are living in La La land!

That is why I say you need more TV than you think to control a TT!

IF your trailer had been properly setup, and driven correctly, you would not have been facing the wrong way. Most all accidents like that are driver error. Actually all are. It is the drivers responsibility to make sure the rig is setup right, and driven right, like maybe slowing down for curves.

Not every one needs a Simi to tow a 23' 6000lb trailer. But even 18 wheelers act up when not setup correctly, They wiggle they wobble when the weight is not distributed correctly.

[Cummins12V98]

"That truck should handle that trailer no problem. All it needs is to be properly set up"

It does not do you much good when your TV is properly setup and you find your self rolled over and pointing back at the traffic that was behind you!

Yes that happened to me! Portland "S" curves. You people with "properly" set up rigs are living in La La land!

That is why I say you need more TV than you think to control a TT!

[owenssailor]

K Charles wrote:
You don't just try a different link, you set up the hitch every time you change truck or trailer.

That truck should handle that trailer no problem. All it needs is to be properly set up.

Get the weights for the trailer is a first step.
Get the trailer level or slightly nose down.
Restore the front of the truck as per the truck manual.
It does not matter if the rear of the truck is down some. The steering happens at the front end.
I prefer the Equal-i-zer hitch to the ones that have the add on antisway bar.
Properly set up that combination shold tow easily.

[mowermech]

MitchF150 wrote:
Not enough tongue weight would be my first WAG.

If the photo in your sig is your current setup, it looks like the trailer is a bit tongue high and the trucks rear end is sagging a bit... I like to tow with the tongue just a bit lower and the truck level..

But, pics are deceiving, so it could just be the angle of the pic... 😉

Adding "sway control devices" to control an uncomfortable tow is NOT a fix.. A properly loaded, setup, engineered trailer should just not 'sway' as you go down the road.. If it does, it's not loaded, setup or engineered properly IMO..

Get some weights on your new rig setup and then you might be able to see where the issue is.

Good luck!

Mitch

EXACTLY!! Find out WHY the trailer is swaying, and correct it.
THEN, and ONLY then, you can put all the "sway control" gimmicks and gadgets on the hitch that you desire.
Now, having said that, let's establish exactly what is being described here; we ARE talking about true trailer sway, are we not? that is, when the trailer begins to sway back and forth in ever increasing arcs? Or, are we talking about "wind wander", that is the effect when a side wind hits the trailer, or the bow wave from a passing vehicle hits the side?
If it is "wind wander", yes, a longer trailer has more surface area on the side, so naturally there will be an increased effect. There isn't much that can be done about it except learn to deal with it.
True trailer sway can be caused by an improperly designed/built trailer (unlikely in an RV), or not enough tongue weight, or the tongue too high, or any combination of the three. Those are only the factors that I have had to deal with in the past. There may be others. IMO, you need to find what is wrong, and fix it, before applying "band aids" in the form of "sway control" gimmicks!
Good luck.