Forum Discussion

pryan's avatar
pryan
Explorer
Apr 06, 2013

Towing Issue

Hi folks!
Last year we upgraded to our 31 foot Coleman. After getting some great advice from all of you in the forum, I ultimately upgraded my TV to a 2008 F350 (a good thing). I still have the following issue: going down the road, every now and again it feels like the camper whips to the side behind me. Not sure if it's a gust of wind (though it's definitely happened on perfectly calm days) or a rut in the road or what it is but it is a VERY disconcerting feeling. Feels as if I'm going to lose it though I know that I'm not. I use a Blue Ox Sway Pro hitch with 1500 lb. spring bars. Camper's GVWR is 9860 and tongue weight is (I believe) 935. Too much spring bar? Too little? More sway control? Is this something that just happens that I have to live with? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
  • handye9's avatar
    handye9
    Explorer II
    Apr 06, 2013
    Do truck and trailer sit level when hitched up?

    If trailer rides nose up, that shifts weight off the tongue and allows wind underneath the trailer. Best would be slightly nose down.

    Anything mounted on rear of trailer, or, too much cargo loaded behind the trailer axles?

    This will also take away tongue weight.

    Are your weight numbers somewhat acurate?

    935 tongue weight is less than 10% of your 9860 gross weight. Tongue weight should be 12 - 15 percent.

    Could also be wind or ruts in the road.

    My fresh tank is behind the axles. When I load up with water, it takes 200 lbs off the tongue and I try to put more cargo up front to compensate for water weight.
  • krobbe's avatar
    krobbe
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2013
    Dry weight of your TT is 6900lbs.
    Gear, water, propane is 1200 to 1500lbs.
    The tongue weight should be about 1100to1200 lbs based on 13to15% of 8100to8400lbs. I would start with verifying your tongue weight is not too light.

    handye9: I was calculating while you posted. Seems like we agree to check the tongue weight.
  • pryan's avatar
    pryan
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2013
    Specs say tongue weight is 920. I imagine that does not include propane or battery? If not then add probably another 150 or so. No weight added toward the back. I don't fill my tanks. It does ride quite level.
  • Pool's avatar
    Pool
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2013
    Could be uneven road. I experienced something like this before.
  • pryan's avatar
    pryan
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2013
    I'm trying to figure out if this is something that just happens or if I need a different hitch setup or more sway control,....
  • Ron_Gratz's avatar
    Ron_Gratz
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2013
    The "dry weight" for that trailer should be around 6900# and the dry tongue weight should be around 930#.

    The dry tongue weight percentage is around 930/6900 = 13.5%

    However, those numbers don't tell us what your loaded weights are, so we have no good basis for saying whether tongue weight might be a problem.

    It would be good to take your as-loaded-for-camping trailer to a scales so you could determine the TT's loaded weight, the loaded tongue weight, and the axle loads before hitching and after hitching with WD appplied.

    Then we would have a better basis for providing weight-related advice.

    Ron
  • pryan's avatar
    pryan
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2013
    Thanks Ron. Is the issue I'm describing something that could be the result of a high or low tongue weight? Also wondered if the 1500 pound rated spring bars are actually TOO much and are having an effect or if there are recommendations for a different hitch setup altogether.
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2013
    Could be the WD setup and or the crown in the road along with some roads have worn areas where vehicles travel. Your TTs wheels are wider than normal vehicles and may be be searching for the right 'groove'?
  • pryan's avatar
    pryan
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2013
    Yup, could definitely be the ruts. Neighbor said the same thing about the width. Just very startling when it happens!

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