Hey guys, I have a 2017 F150 screw 4x4 with 3.73 rear end and 5.0L.
The truck has a 2.25” front level and 1” rear lift. Also have air bags and 10 ply Duratracs.
My problem is I’m towing a 28’ TT with a dry rating of 6700 lbs and I’m experiencing a fair bit of sway.
I have a weight distributing hitch and a sway control on the trailer tongue. This setup worked well with my last truck (Silverado), but I just can’t find the magic combination with this truck. I’ve tried to adjust the hitch and tried different air pressure in the bags but with the very occasional exception it just doesn’t feel controlled.
Can anyone give me some advise on what to try next?
Things I’m considering are different rear shocks (the rear of the truck has always felt light and poorly controlled) and or a rear sway bar.
When loaded I’m guessing I’m around 8000 lbs which is under my tow capacity by a fair bit. Also, the Silverado had less towing capacity and seemed to tow much better.
Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks

 

I think that key questions that the "experts" will ask are:

1. What tow package version does your truck have from the factory?
2. Which weight distributing hitch are you using?
3. What is your tongue weight?
4. What is the payload capacity of your truck listed on the yellow sticker in the door jam?

I'm sure there are more questions, but those are fairly important to even start to answer the question.

 

As far as what towing package, I’m not sure how to answer that. It’s a screw with 3.73 and 5.0L and as far as I recall the max tow weight is 9600 lbs.
The tongue weight of the trailer empty is 750 lbs but of course when it’s loaded for camping I have no idea.
As far as the sticker on the truck, I will have to get back to you on that as I can’t go to check right now.

 

Oh, and I think the hitch is a Husky. I’ve also tried setting the chains at different links too and just can’t seem to get it dialed in.

 

A non-factory hitch means it might not have a factory tow package at all. That's not a good start.

 

Several things that could help, you need to get a weight of your truck without the trailer, loaded with the people you plan to travel with along with whatever you put in the back. You need this later.

Ok, first dump the Husky. I have used them on the new gen and they suck. Get a Blue Ox with the proper weight bars for your trailer. You need to know the tongue weight and add 85 pounds to it for the hitch. More than likely you will be around 1000 pounds on the receiver, if so get the 1500 pound bar kit.

Second, use minimum air in the bags, what ever the manufacturer suggests as the lowest pressure to use, usually around 5 PSI. DON'T touch them ever again once you are set up.

Third set up the hitch by the hitch manual, not the truck owners manual, the latter I have had all kinds of issues with a light front end.

You lift/level will cause some issues since the truck's rake is designed in for a reason, and removing the rake makes towing set ups a chore to get correct, but you will want to get the front wheel well height returned to the empty height. Then take it to a scale and do two passes to verify all is well. First pass, remove the spring bars, and set them by the tailgate in the bed, go around and get your scale ticket, hook the bars back up and go through the scales again and see how much weight is transferred off the rear axle and to the front and trailer axles.

Compare your front axle weight first scale weigh without the trailer, if you returned most or all of it, you should be good and no longer have sway.

I'm guessing your payload is right around 1580 pounds, maybe even higher as the 19 MY seems to have gained payload over prior years, so not going to bother with can you tow it, as long as you don't load the truck, you should have enough for your trailer.

 

Youve misunderstood what I said. The truck definitely has a towing package as I ordered it from the factory.
The hitch I mentioned is a weight distributing hitch made by Husky which was purchased with trailer.

 

LOL Many confuse receiver and hitch as meaning the same thing. Hitch goes in receiver and is aftermarket.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

 

First let me say I'm far from a towing expert but here's my .02 cents.

You said your setup with the lift and airbags worked well with your old Silverado but not on the Ford. The Silverado was heavier than the F-150 due to the aluminum construction and the lift has raised the center of gravity. The combination of lightweight and high center of gravity may be the problem. Your trailer is far heavier than the truck and is sitting lower to the ground, the tail is wagging the dog.

As acdii stated the nose down rake of the truck is there for a reason, the weight of the payload or trailer will level it out naturally.and lower the truck's center of gravity even more which improves handling.

 

Sorry, and thank you for explaining!