sway

Terryallan wrote:

ArticFox 676 wrote:
Sounds like you need a Hensley. Consider the cost you have in your TV and TT. Good hitch worth keeping everyone safe. Also consider those emergency stops.
Drive safe.

Dude, It's only a 24' trailer. A normal WDH is more than enough, If it's right.

Hensley also make the CUB for smaller trailers. Even 24ft. will sway with passing trucks.

tv and tt are in a straight line wihen hooked up, and there is hardly any weight at the rear of the trailer. i would just like more security for these windy moments - i'll probably go with the friction bars, and if it doesn't work invest in the dual cams -

jerem0621 wrote:
As far as backing up is concerned.... The sway bar doesn't know if its backing up or going forward. If you can damage the sway bar by backing up (mostly by turning too sharp) then you will be able to damage the bar by turning too sharp going forward.

How to keep this from happening?

Make sure that the sway bar mount on the TT tongue is installed per the instructions EXACTLY... Too close to the coupler and the slider bar will bottom out.... To far away and the slider bar will pull out.

Installation is key.

IMHO Standard WD and friction bars are more than enough to tow safely with a properly set up truck and trailer.

Thanks!

Not entirely true. It is easier to jack a trailer to a more severe angle backing up, than it is going forward. As when backing you push into the trailer, and going forward, The trailer follows you. Not saying you can't turn it too sharp going forward. But it is just easier, and much more likely to do going backwards.

heavier tongue weight is the best method to stop sway .
if the trailer has too much weight behind it's axles , the fanciest hitch out there will not be able to mitigate sway .
the scales are your friend .
hooked up , weigh every axle .
disconnect the trailer and weigh your tow rig, both axles.
with that info and some rebalancing of your tongue weight to the maximum your pickup will allow , you will find the best solution .
13 % tongue weight works for me .

2112 wrote:

ArticFox 676 wrote:
Sounds like you need a Hensley. Consider the cost you have in your TV and TT. Good hitch worth keeping everyone safe. Also consider those emergency stops.
Drive safe.

And a F350 DRW to go with it? :)

Sounds good to me!!!

ArticFox 676 wrote:
Sounds like you need a Hensley. Consider the cost you have in your TV and TT. Good hitch worth keeping everyone safe. Also consider those emergency stops.
Drive safe.

And a F350 DRW to go with it? :)

As far as backing up is concerned.... The sway bar doesn't know if its backing up or going forward. If you can damage the sway bar by backing up (mostly by turning too sharp) then you will be able to damage the bar by turning too sharp going forward.

How to keep this from happening?

Make sure that the sway bar mount on the TT tongue is installed per the instructions EXACTLY... Too close to the coupler and the slider bar will bottom out.... To far away and the slider bar will pull out.

Installation is key.

IMHO Standard WD and friction bars are more than enough to tow safely with a properly set up truck and trailer.

Thanks!

ArticFox 676 wrote:
Sounds like you need a Hensley. Consider the cost you have in your TV and TT. Good hitch worth keeping everyone safe. Also consider those emergency stops.
Drive safe.

Dude, It's only a 24' trailer. A normal WDH is more than enough, If it's right.

Sounds like you need a Hensley. Consider the cost you have in your TV and TT. Good hitch worth keeping everyone safe. Also consider those emergency stops.
Drive safe.

Also balance weight from left and right tires. too much weight on one side, especially behind the axles will cause sway. My 35' TT had both slides on the street side and most storage compartments on the same side. That created a nightmare until I figured out it was the way I was putting stuff in the camper. Most of it was on the street side along with the heavy slides. Once I started moving heavy stuff right and forward towing became much better.

If the dealer set up your WDH it is probably wrong. Read the manual and search/ask questions here

As far as passing big trucks and strong side winds, what Terryallen said. All you can do with the sidewind is slow down.

Make sure both your TT and TV tires are properly inflated. Timbrens or something similar will help stiffen the truck rear.

Remember your tires are only rated for 65 mph so use that as an excuse to go slow. I once had to go 55 on a 70 mph highway (I10) because of the strong south winds we have down here. I got off the freeway and went an alternate route (HY 90).