Big truck woes

[txmerlin]

I have been reading with interest several of the posts regarding new tow vehicles. I am on the fence about whether to upgrade the TV or update the one I have. I have an existing F150 Ecoboost with the 4x4 option and the trailer towing package. My trailer is an Autumn Ridge (315RKS) 38 footer with a Reese weight distribution hitch. The truck seems to have plenty to be able to tow and stop the trailer. The issues come in when a large truck passes and the trailer and truck seem to get sucked over. I had the dealer adjust the trailer bracket last time I was in to see if it would stop some of the front end "float", and it did. It rides down the road much better, but that has caused significant wear on the top leading edge of the trunion bar.

Is the sucking in when being passed something that can be adjusted out, or is this a case where I would be better off with a heavier truck? Or is there a better hitch option for this combo than the Reese? Any guidance on this would be appreciated.

Ken

[racer4]

I used to tow my 32' 7000# travel trailer with a 1/2 ton. I know what you are talking about. The big trucks would suck me over, then spit me out. I had a Reese WD hitch with a friction sway control.

Then I upgraded the hitch to a Reese Dual Cam (now called Strait Line - see here) and that made a BIG difference. Driving was much easier when then big trucks passed. The curved end of the spring bar is held up by a cam, which is supported by an arm and chain. It helps keep the truck and trailer in a straight line until you start a turn.

Then I bought a 2500 truck. Even better yet. It is rare that a semi moves me around. Much less tiring.

If you want to keep the 150, upgrade the hitch. It really will be much better if you upgrade the hitch and the truck.

Been there, done that.

[Cummins12V98]

txmerlin wrote:
I have been reading with interest several of the posts regarding new tow vehicles. I am on the fence about whether to upgrade the TV or update the one I have. I have an existing F150 Ecoboost with the 4x4 option and the trailer towing package. My trailer is an Autumn Ridge (315RKS) 38 footer with a Reese weight distribution hitch. The truck seems to have plenty to be able to tow and stop the trailer. The issues come in when a large truck passes and the trailer and truck seem to get sucked over. I had the dealer adjust the trailer bracket last time I was in to see if it would stop some of the front end "float", and it did. It rides down the road much better, but that has caused significant wear on the top leading edge of the trunion bar.

Is the sucking in when being passed something that can be adjusted out, or is this a case where I would be better off with a heavier truck? Or is there a better hitch option for this combo than the Reese? Any guidance on this would be appreciated.

Ken

JMHO whoever told you in the first place your combo is safe did you a disservice!

You need much more truck for that long thing!

[Ezlife55]

To OP, when I read your post the 1st thing that came to mind was, WOW!, pulling 38 ft with a 1/2ton.
I have a 3/4 ton diesel, one ton diesel dually and this spring treated myself to a new Silverado 1500 LTZ. The diesels pull my heavy trailers.

I also have a baby travel trailer, KZ Coyote 4600GVW I use for wknds.

Two weeks ago, I thought I'd use the 'church' truck for a 400 mile round trip with the KZ.
Plenty of power with 355 developed at some insane rpms but towing that little KZ no fun with body sway on every curve. I'll never tow again with the light truck.
The bigger heavier trucks are much more stable even with a little TT; imo a heavier truck will make a huge difference with your long trailer.

[Terryallan]

txmerlin wrote:


Is the sucking in when being passed something that can be adjusted out,

Ken

In truth NO. Every vehicle running up, and down the road feels the push pull of larger, or even the same size vehicles passing them. Even the big trucks feel another big truck pass.

The real question is. How much does it move you around? It should not be enough to push you off the road, or pull you into the passing vehicle, or even scare you, or cause you to compensate heavily with the wheel. You may need to slightly compensate as they pass. But no more than that. For me. The big trucks move me less than a full sized van, or work truck.

[DownTheAvenue]

Golden_HVAC wrote:
The difference between a F-350, F-250 and F-150 if you are under 10,000 GTW is not all that much. 38' length X 8' tall or 10' tall if the trailer is that high of sidewalls is into almost 400 square feet of sail area, a LOT to deal with.

Having a F-350 with a slightly higher rear axle weight might help a 'little' but not nearly as much as you might like. IT is the front of the trailer being twisted left and right by all that wind of a passing truck, and that 400 square feet of sail area doing the pushing.

Your truck rear axle weight might be in the 2,500 pound empty range, while a F-350 gas truck might only be say 400 pounds heavier, so both will tend to get pushed around a bit on two lane roads by the 18 wheelers going 70 in the other direction!

You might look into the Pro Pride hitch system. It was developed by a engineer that had a horrible experience towing a travel trailer behind his then nearly new 1950's sedan and 1950's travel trailer. Many years later he designed a much better hitch system.

Good luck,

Fred.

This is the most accurate post. The issue is not the weight of the truck, but the size of the trailer. There are only two hitches that will stop the sway, the Hensley Arrow and the Pro Pride. I prefer the Hensley Arrow, Expensive? Very. Worth it? Absolutely. Buy the Hensley Arrow. Tow with it. You will be impressed. If not send it back. You get all your money back including shipping both ways.

[MVH1]

That is a long travel trailer! I upgraded to a 2500 and definitely noticed a much more stable ride. My TT is 26 feet but has a huge front end. I use a WD hitch and sway bar.

[brulaz]

When running most half-tons close to their limits, like you are, you really want to stiffen the suspension and use LT tires. At least I did and am quite happy with the results.

Despite all their advertised numbers, the suspension and tires really seem to tuned more for an empty truck. Guess that's because they run empty most of the time.

Of course, you can also buy a new HD truck that does all that for you, and gives you a higher payload, more robust drivetrain and other components as well. I may do that in a year or two, as I want a 4x4, and am 2% over my truck's rear GAWR already, and want to add even more batteries to the trailer tongue.

Good luck.

[FishOnOne]

txmerlin wrote:
The hitch that I have is the #66155 weight distribution hitch (may be off on the exact model as trailer is in storage). The reason I want to get this working properly is that now that we have retired, we want to spend more time on the road. The trailer is ~7600# loaded. Since we are looking at more road time, I had been leaning toward the bigger TV as the solution.

If the solution is a heavier truck, does that eliminate the WD hitch?

Ken

A weight distribution hitch does not have a sway control. Get a sway bar and make sure there's enough weight transferred to the front end and it should track nice a strait. Also some of the newer Ford trucks have a built in sway control feature so you many want to look into that.

I would do the above before switching to a heavier truck.

Good luck...

[Golden_HVAC]

The difference between a F-350, F-250 and F-150 if you are under 10,000 GTW is not all that much. 38' length X 8' tall or 10' tall if the trailer is that high of sidewalls is into almost 400 square feet of sail area, a LOT to deal with.

Having a F-350 with a slightly higher rear axle weight might help a 'little' but not nearly as much as you might like. IT is the front of the trailer being twisted left and right by all that wind of a passing truck, and that 400 square feet of sail area doing the pushing.

Your truck rear axle weight might be in the 2,500 pound empty range, while a F-350 gas truck might only be say 400 pounds heavier, so both will tend to get pushed around a bit on two lane roads by the 18 wheelers going 70 in the other direction!

You might look into the Pro Pride hitch system. It was developed by a engineer that had a horrible experience towing a travel trailer behind his then nearly new 1950's sedan and 1950's travel trailer. Many years later he designed a much better hitch system.

Good luck,

Fred.

[BB_TX]

I think a heavier truck will be your ultimate solution. Weight of the trailer aside, 38' is a long trailer for a lighter truck. More side surface area of the trailer means the more a passing truck is going to affect you. The more weight your truck has will help offset that.

You may still need the WDH if the larger truck sags too much from the tongue weight.

[txmerlin]

The hitch that I have is the #66155 weight distribution hitch (may be off on the exact model as trailer is in storage). The reason I want to get this working properly is that now that we have retired, we want to spend more time on the road. The trailer is ~7600# loaded. Since we are looking at more road time, I had been leaning toward the bigger TV as the solution.

If the solution is a heavier truck, does that eliminate the WD hitch?

Ken

[donn0128]

Weights? Its all about weights. Pulling is rarely an issue with any modern truck, but weights and correct loading, weight distribution are very important.

[coolbreeze01]

I would suggest a 3500 for your trailer, but then I wouldn't pull a skate board with a 1500.

[FishOnOne]

Do you have a sway bar?

[campigloo]

You needed a bigger truck from the beginning. I know I'll get torn up from the EB crowd, but it's just won't handle as well as a 3/4 ton. Yes, I/2 ton trucks are much improved over the last few years, but so are 3/4's. You will still feel the push and pull, you will still feel all the same things you feel know. What you don't feel now is the firmly planted to the road feel that a heavier truck will offer. Gas or diesel won't make that much difference for the average weekend tower. There are advantages and disadvantages to both; just depends on how you plan to use them. You have a large trailer. Get a tow vehicle to match the load. Let the defense on the field now!


PS. Golf carts are much improved too!