Reduce Sway

[albertsonr]

So we upgraded from a 26Ft to a 37Ft TT and we have lots of sway now when windy or passed by a semi. We are currently using a WD system with a friction sway bar. We were wondering if we should switch to an Equalizer or Reese dual cam to help with the sway more due to a larger trailer. Suggestions?

[Lwiddis]

The TV specs are available...from every manufacturer. Tow guides are a good example. The TV reviews are out there..both pro and us...at no cost via the internet. The max TT weight is available from every manufacturer I’ve seen. I’m not sure I’ll accept blaming the TV or RV salesperson any longer. These are not $5 purchases and deserve hours of study.

[Lwiddis]

“and they give you the info you want to hear and not the truth.“

I’m not so sure the salesperson knew, and it will “pull” that TT. Remember these guys/gals are not doctors, clergy, dentists etc...trusted professionals. Most have never even pulled a TT or 5er. They try to sell all the deaker’s products. Many of us when looking for a new vehicle know more of the capacities than anyone on the lot. Our “needs” i.e. a capable TV are very specific and technical.

[bid_time]

You need more tongue weight. You need at least 12% of the total trailer weight on the tongue (even more is better). Go to a scale and get the weigts to be sure. You have less than 10%, that's a accident waiting to happen.

[albertsonr]

I believe the payload is little over 2000, and yes they installed the same WD with 1000 lb bars and a friction sway bar. I am not 100% sure it wasn’t setup incorrectly. I will look into the tires and shocks and the equalizer setup.

[Maury82]

albertsonr wrote:
HW 845
GVWR 9600
Dry 7245

The truck pulls the trailer with no problems other than sway in winds and Semi passing.

I would upgrade my tires to LT, Bilstein shocks, and upgrade to HD trailer tires.

Did you change hitch that is rated for your new trailer?

That trailer should be within capacity for that truck, and a few enhancements should solve your problem.

[Maury82]

albertsonr wrote:
I am pulling with a 2018 Ford F150 5L, it is rated to pull up to 10,400.

I have a 37ft, 8,300 dry weight TT, but I have on ordered the Screw, 3.5 EB with the HDPP.

You left out your payload, or weather or not you tried using the same hitch setup you used with your old trailer.

Your issues may have been your fault, but you left out too much information to provide any useful information, only that you had problems.

The HDPP comes with beefier suspension, LT tires, and I upgraded my trailer tires to stiffer Goodyear Endurance, which are super stiff and will reduce potential sway situation even further.

[irishtom29]

Increase the tongue weight if possible.

[ScottG]

My TT is the same size and weight and it's a load for my 3500. Not because of pulling power but because it's so big and heavy. I also have the benefit of LT tires and a much heavier suspension but I have still had to upgrade my hitch and put a lot of tension on the bars. The difference between not enough and the right amount of tension can be a very small adjustment but make a huge difference.
Regardless of what the manufacturer claims, that is a huge load for a 1/2T.

If yo spring for an entire new hitch, go for the Dual Cam. I've had both and it works far better than the Equalizer and friction bars because it doesn't just restrict movement, it actually PUSHES the trailer back in line.

[LVJJJ]

Just get an Equal-I-zer hitch and you'll be fine. I don't go for this "your truck is too small, too weak, etc." I've been towing for 30 years much of it with a 65 Chevy Van (292 6ci) 24' TT's, had sway problems till I got the Equal-I-zer, no more sway. The van didn't have the capacity ratings in those days for the TT's I was towing, its a half ton and has passenger car tires. 90,000 miles, not a ticket, no accidents, no blown tires. Also used hitch with '88 3/4 ton Suburban 454 pulling a 30' Arctic Fox double slide. Now towing 27' Trail Cruiser with '94 Suburban K-1500 with the old Equal-I-zer, nary a sway. If the hitch is set up right, have good tires, keep them at right pressure, don't drive too fast and drive real careful, you be fine. So you slow down to 45 on mountain passes, big deal, you'll get back up to speed faster on the downhill side.

[evanrem]

I had a 34 foot trailer and 1/2 Chevy to start with the came in at around 8000 lbs loaded. I think the trucks max tow was 9700lbs and thought all good. I did not look into or understand payload and all the other weights and was soon in the same predicament you are. After a crash course in weights I found myself to be at if not over a bit on payload. On good days it towed good but those days were not the norm and found the white knuckle experience was not worth it.
Just buying a new truck and explaing to the wife i really didnt know what i was doing was a bummer. After deciding selling the trailer was going to be the cheapest way out i stumbled across the ProPride and Hensley hitches. I thought if this does not work oh well i can send it back and take the hit on the trailer. It got me by for about 5 years and made a remarkable diffrence. When upgrading to a 2500 i saw the light everyone here talks about and they are correct. It towed so much nicer. With all this being said you need to know where you are with weights so you are not way overloaded somewhere.
Good Luck and a lot of us have been in your shoes.

remarkable might be an over statement. It was much better but still not as good as the jump to the 2500 using the ProPride.

[albertsonr]

I was also incorrect about the length of the trailer, it is 34.4 feet from tongue to bumper. Not sure if that makes a difference since everything is by weight.

[albertsonr]

Thank you for all the info, I just bought this truck and as usual you ask questions about towing and they give you the info you want to hear and not the truth.

[Samsonsworld]

Going from a 23' box to a 34' box (assuming 3' for tongue and bumper), you're talking about a 47% increase in side surface area. That's a lot more trailer than you had and you're going to feel it. Now I love my 2013 f150 and my current trailer is over 35' long with a 11k lb GVWR. I had your same problems and it can be done. I towed over 10k miles with that set up. BUT imho, it is too much trailer for that truck. Eventually, I think you'll probably want to upgrade the truck or downsize that trailer.

People will talk about having the proper equipment but sometimes that means a different tow vehicle. I now drive a f250 crew LB. I miss towing with my my ecoboost, the power is great, but I was in 40+ mph winds two weeks ago at 65mph with the F250. No problem. I would have been down to at least 50mph in the f150 and still had white knuckles. I also don't avoid interstate because of the trucks blowing by me. Big difference. Stiffer, longer, heavier. I just don't get pushed around as much, anymore.

Anyway, good luck!

[Sandia_Man]

From your post simply moving to the larger and longer TT is putting your truck at or beyond it's limits, most 1/2 ton (150/1500) trucks are out of payload well before they reach their overstated tow capacity. Secondly, the sheer length of your new rig will make towing at highway speeds a white knuckle experience and if it is windy as well it will certainly test your will. It's possible that an Equalizer or Dual Cam WD/SC hitch would prove helpful in dealing with your sway issues but it may take a high-end hitch like a Hensley or Propride to provide the comfort level you expect while towing down the road. Good luck and hope you have many wonderful adventures in your new TT.

[goducks10]

Too much TT for that truck.
Only way you'll eliminate any uncontrollable sway is to spend the big $$$$ and get a Hensley Arrow or a ProPride WDH.
Problem is that you'll be fighting the payload numbers for the truck.