mikeratz
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Re: Sway Problem / Need Help
So loaded it back up today for the season and grabbed some new weights. Some improvement but still 200# removed from front axle. Moved some weight around and dropped hitch from 1080# to 1014# but looks like that's as low as I'll get it. Total trailer weighed today was 6800# so still 15% on hitch. Leaning towards a Equal-i-zer hitch. Some concerns posted that a 1200#/12000# might be too much for my truck hitch. It doesn't have a rating sticker on it but it is a max tow and from what I can find it should be 13000#?? Is a 1200# ok?574Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sway Problem / Need Help
I appreciate all the feeback! So as originally thought, it sounds like I should spring for a new WDH. From the reviews I looked at I like the Equalizer. It's also a lower profile and my trailer is fairly low (the Reece dual cam does hang down a bit. Had one a few trailers ago) Should I go with the 1200#?? 1400# would allow more weight options but would it give up ride quality when running less load? Also according to the Equalizer website you only add behind the axle cargo weight? (I've always used all passengers and truck cargo) Thanks for putting up with all my questions...:S504Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sway Problem / Need Help
Lynnmor wrote: Tell us the size, load range, air pressure, brand and tread style of your tires. They are in the original post but they are: 275/65R18 'E' Rated Duratracs I've ran everything from 35/40psi psi to max 75psi and haven't seen any improvement502Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sway Problem / Need Help
opnspaces wrote: ^ It's more accurate to add up the hitched front and rear axle weights. 3924 + 3110 = 7034 lbs on the axles This is the truck weight when hitched to the trailer. You have 971 lbs hitch weight. Subtract the truck only weight from the hitched weight. 7034 - 6063 = 971 lbs tongue weight. You lost 285 lbs from the front axle (3395 - 3110 = 285) You gained 1,256 lbs on the rear axle. (3924-2668 = 1256) Your tongue weight it 14.5 percent which you can find by using the tongue weight and the total loaded trailer weight. (971 / 6700 * 100 = 14.5% tongue weight) With almost 300 lbs missing off the front axle I'm betting you're getting light steering more than actual sway of the trailer. Unfortunately it looks like you're going to need a more stout weight distribution hitch like an Equal-i-zer ***Link Removed*** or a Reese Dual Cam ***Link Removed*** The leveling kit on the truck might be aesthetically leveling the truck. But it's doing nothing to transfer or re-distribute the weight which is what you really need. Just reread this..Is the 970lb in your calculation not just the total weight added to the truck and not the actual tongue weight?502Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sway Problem / Need Help
dodge guy wrote: I wouldn’t worry about the leveling kit or the rod master kit. Figure your trailers loaded for travel weight and it’s loaded for travel tongue weight. Those are the numbers you need now. Once you get accurate numbers you can then figure out your WD issue. All the numbers I referenced were loaded to where we would be on an average trip. (6700lb trailer / max allowable trailer and cargo 7500lb) 970lb hitch weight So by these numbers a 1000# hitch would do but thinking a 1200# would allow some more flexibility as the trailer is not at the max weight??275Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sway Problem / Need Help
Gdetrailer wrote: mikeratz wrote: I am towing a 253RB Sunset Trail(30') with a F150 Ecoboost and am having a hard time with it if there is ANY wind at all. For the most part it tows ok on a calm day but if there is any wind at all it feels very unstable in the back end and reduce speed considerably / "white knuckling" it. I am using a Anderson hitch which I am debating on changing out with something that can transfer the weight better. I also added a Roadmaster suspension kit to the truck to help take some of the squat out. I used this hitch on my last Sunset trailer which was a foot bigger so figured it would be fine. (Although we never had it long so maybe just never noticed) Tow vehicle then was a 2015 F150 Ecoboost with Goodyear airbags. Current Setup Trailer 2019 Sunset 253RB Dry Weight 5531# Loaded 6700# 2019 F150 Ecoboost levelling kit 275/65R18 'E' Rated Duratracs Roadmaster Active Suspension Truck Only - 6063# Front Axle 3395# Rear Axle 2668# GVWR 7850# GAWR F-3750# GAWR R-4800# Truck & Trailer Combined Front Axle 3110# Rear Axle 3924# Trailer Axles 5710# I can't get all the sag out and am wondering if the Anderson is just too light for this setup and possibly what is causing it to feel unstable as well. Any thoughts, hitch recommendations?? You have a couple of questionable mods to your truck. The "leveling kit" is one, leveling out the truck means you have removed the "rake" (IE the front should ALWAYS be lower than the rear when empty) of the truck (looks "cool" to be level). Now when a real load is applied the preleveled vehicle WILL now "squat". This changes how the weight transfers (you are losing 300 lbs of front weight) and in your case, is not transferring from the rear to front. The "active suspension" is another questionable mod, looks like a simple bolt on spiral spring which parallels one side of the rear leaf spring.. Does nothing and cannot do anything to "improve" sag, it was designed to reduce "axle wrap" (axle wrap is the twisting movement of the axle which flexes the leaf springs) under hard acceleration.. It is not needed and is a worthless addition unless you were experiencing axle wrap under heavy acceleration. To get rid of your sag, you might wish to rethink that "leveling kit", needs removed. Otherwise attempting to reduce the sag, you will need a stronger WD than you should need without the leveling kit. The danger of a heavier WD is you may end up causing too much stress on the trailer tongue and rear hitch receiver which can cause catastrophic failure of the trailer tongue or the vehicle hitch receiver.. Now, addressing the "wind induced sway or push", yeah, not much can be done about this. You have basically a huge billboard you are towing, it IS going to catch and push your entire rig around. Fixing the weight loss on the front axles should reduce SOME of this but not all. Speed can also play into how much you feel, in high winds, slow down, things will react better at slower speeds. Something else to consider, you might be near your max cargo payload for your vehicle unless you have the Max tow/Max Payload factory option.. Not unusual to find F150s with 900-1,200 lb payloads depending on cab style, bed length and your trim options.. Only Max tow/Payload option with regular cab shortbed XL trim and 4x2 will get you payloads of 2,200-2,500 or so lbs.. Post your trucks payload which will be listed on the yellow sticker on your drivers side door post.. -Crewcab 4x4.Payload is 2550lbs (Door sticker) -I need the levelling kit not for "looks" but to help eliminate dragging front end on the dirt roads I drive on for work. -The Roadmaster I was sold to help with some sag when loaded and it did lift the rear end up a little although I realize it doesn't transfer weight. Thinking it probably will be removed with a heavier WHD installed. I will consider removing the levelling kit but not sure if I can. If I were to purchase an Equalizer hitch like a few people have recommended, what size would you recommend? 1000 or 1200lb? Would that recommendation allow for both scenerios of levelling kit in or out?275Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sway Problem / Need Help
Turtle n Peeps wrote: Ya, several thoughts: #1. Wind buffet and sway are tow entirely different things. Wind buffet will hit you and push you around but will end after a few cycles. Sway will start and the cycles will get worse unless action is taken. Which type do you have? #2. Out of all the figures you have you don't have THE most important. Tongue weight. Tongue weight (or lack there of) causes 95%+ of true sway issues. Get the actual tongue weight and get back to us. BTW, I have towed tons with just a ball hitch with no problems as long as the tongue weight is correct. If the tongue weight is not correct it tows like garbage. I guess it is likely more of wind buffeting than actual sway. I haven't weighed just the tongue unhitched. It is 554# dry but I realize that really doesn't mean much without actually weighing it with gear, propane, water etc.. I was taking the loaded rear axle weight of the truck (3925#) and subtracting the unloaded weight of the rear axle (2668#) so 1250# but I suppose that would be the weight on the rear axle and not the hitch.275Views0likes0CommentsSway Problem / Need Help
I am towing a 253RB Sunset Trail(30') with a F150 Ecoboost and am having a hard time with it if there is ANY wind at all. For the most part it tows ok on a calm day but if there is any wind at all it feels very unstable in the back end and reduce speed considerably / "white knuckling" it. I am using a Anderson hitch which I am debating on changing out with something that can transfer the weight better. I also added a Roadmaster suspension kit to the truck to help take some of the squat out. I used this hitch on my last Sunset trailer which was a foot bigger so figured it would be fine. (Although we never had it long so maybe just never noticed) Tow vehicle then was a 2015 F150 Ecoboost with Goodyear airbags. Current Setup Trailer 2019 Sunset 253RB Dry Weight 5531# Loaded 6700# 2019 F150 Ecoboost levelling kit 275/65R18 'E' Rated Duratracs Roadmaster Active Suspension Truck Only - 6063# Front Axle 3395# Rear Axle 2668# GVWR 7850# GAWR F-3750# GAWR R-4800# Truck & Trailer Combined Front Axle 3110# Rear Axle 3924# Trailer Axles 5710# I can't get all the sag out and am wondering if the Anderson is just too light for this setup and possibly what is causing it to feel unstable as well. Any thoughts, hitch recommendations??12KViews0likes42Comments
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