I tow a pop up camper up camper that weighs a little over 3000 lbs when loaded. i also bring 4 kayaks and the bed of my truck full of stuff to bring camping. Id say with everything we bring including my family we are somewhere around 5000 lbs total. I have a class 4 hitch and brake controller installed. How can i tighten up the truck to handle better on the highway? I feel like it wants to sway and it feels loose.

 

**Edit- I misread your trailer weight, thought it was 5000. WDH is probably not needed.

 

Load up as you normally would, and find a set of scales, and first know exactly what weight you're dealing with. Then check the GVWR & payload sticker on your truck to make sure you are within spec'd limits.

Once you have factual numbers to work with, you can set about fixing what needs fixed. Guessing & towing don't usually play well together.

Also, peruse the towing section of the forums for more specific info.

 

You need to load the trailer to adjust the tongue weight to 10-13% of the weight of the trailer. Sway, especially on a trailer so small is almost always a result of too little tongue weight. For 3,000 pounds a WDH is fine but not really needed as you will be under 500 pounds of tongue weight. As others have mentioned, hit the scales to find out your numbers and adjust from there.

 

Aside from proper loading/tongue weight - Airlift Ride control airbags and Hellwig rear sway bar. Worked for me.

 

Sounds like you may have too much weight in the truck. Towing 3000 lbs shouldn't be a problem. Moving some gear from the truck to the trailer might go a long way.

 

I read a tip on here to turn off the Trailer Sway Control. I tow about the same amount as you do and i find that it has helped me. ymmv

 

You are not towing that much weight. I agree with the other comments about tongue weight. You want 10-15% but I shoot for 13% with a camper just because things don't always go back in the right place. More so if quickly packing up in the rain.

The one thing I didn't see mentioned yet is tires on the truck. Our previous tow vehicle was a Yukon Denali. We had a set of load range E tires and it towed our camper fine. I needed a new set of rims and found a set of factory take offs from a new Denali and since the tires had about 20 miles on them I didn't bother moving my tires over. The OEM take offs were a softer side wall to give a better ride. It towed the camper like crap. Any little movement in the camper would cause a lot of sidewall flex even if running at the max rated cold PSI for those tires. There were a couple times where even a little wind and it was a white knuckle experience. My wife was fine towing the camper and with those tires she wouldn't touch towing it.

When we got the F150 we made sure to go right to load range E tires and I air them up before towing. It rides a bit rougher but no sidewall flex to amplify any sway. It pulls the camper great. We have only been out for Memorial Day weekend so far and I went up to 65psi on the tires. They are rated for 80 PSI cold. It does take a long time to fill them up and bring them back down to 35psi. I think I am going to invest in an automatic inflator/deflator.

Of course also check the other suggestions but tires could be part of the problem as well.

 

I'm confused on the weights here. So are you saying your "5000 lbs total" includes the trailer? So 5000-3000 = 2000 lbs people, cargo and trailer tongue weight in the truck? If that is the case more than likely you are over GVWR. This information is in your door jamb.

As for the trailer, as mentioned above, tongue weight/proper weight distribution in the trailer is key. Below is a brief demonstration on the importance of proper weight distribution in the trailer and how sway oscillations can be induced if not accounted for.

 

Yes i bet it is my tires. I just looked them up and they are the stock 4 ply tires. I bet that will make a big difference.