Towing a bit squirrelly
04-12-2015, 11:13 PM
#21
Alright a bit of an update. I put my Eaz Lift back on and exchanged my 800lb bars for ones rated 810-1200lbs. They are quite a bit thicker bars. I went back to the scales today and my numbers still weren't ideal but I'm getting there. Front axle was weighing in at 3400-3450 ( scale was back and forth on that ) Rear axle was 3800lbs. The trailer came in at 6650 on it's axles. The chain saddles on this trailer have to angle the chain in order to clear the propane tank mounts. Does angling the chain cause any distribution issues? I would think I could pull another link up if there were no angle but I am not sure how I can do that. Where I have settled on the chains to get the weight back on the front end causes the trailer to look a little nose high, is this a problem? I also aired up the tires to 44psi and on the short freeway trip home it did feel more stable at up to 65. Still not as stable as not towing anything of course but felt better than before. I imagine this is due to putting some more weight on the front axle of the truck.
2. I you need to grab another link, use your tongue jack to raise the truck/trailer up until you can engage next link. Sometimes it's easier/better to add a few washers to the head and add tilt. It's a good fine tuning method if the next link is too hard to engage.
3. You don't use the links to level the trailer. Once you get the weight distributed where you want it, you then raise or lower the head to get the height correct. This won't affect your weight distribution.
04-25-2015, 01:11 PM
#22
Well my trailer is in for some warranty work and I went ahead and installed airbags on the rear yesterday and am installing a Hellwig rear sway bar today. I never looked when the trailer was hooked up but I imagine I was very near the bump stop and probably banging against it while driving. I cant imagine this is good for the handling. Anyone have suggestions on what pressure to run in the bags? I do not have an onboard compressor so I will have to air them up before getting back to the stealership to pick up the trailer next weekend.
04-25-2015, 02:35 PM
#23
Cowboy of the Skies
Alright a bit of an update. I put my Eaz Lift back on and exchanged my 800lb bars for ones rated 810-1200lbs. They are quite a bit thicker bars.
I went back to the scales today and my numbers still weren't ideal but I'm getting there. Front axle was weighing in at 3400-3450 ( scale was back and forth on that ) Rear axle was 3800lbs. The trailer came in at 6650 on it's axles.
The chain saddles on this trailer have to angle the chain in order to clear the propane tank mounts. Does angling the chain cause any distribution issues? I would think I could pull another link up if there were no angle but I am not sure how I can do that.
Where I have settled on the chains to get the weight back on the front end causes the trailer to look a little nose high, is this a problem?
I also aired up the tires to 44psi and on the short freeway trip home it did feel more stable at up to 65. Still not as stable as not towing anything of course but felt better than before. I imagine this is due to putting some more weight on the front axle of the truck.
I went back to the scales today and my numbers still weren't ideal but I'm getting there. Front axle was weighing in at 3400-3450 ( scale was back and forth on that ) Rear axle was 3800lbs. The trailer came in at 6650 on it's axles.
The chain saddles on this trailer have to angle the chain in order to clear the propane tank mounts. Does angling the chain cause any distribution issues? I would think I could pull another link up if there were no angle but I am not sure how I can do that.
Where I have settled on the chains to get the weight back on the front end causes the trailer to look a little nose high, is this a problem?
I also aired up the tires to 44psi and on the short freeway trip home it did feel more stable at up to 65. Still not as stable as not towing anything of course but felt better than before. I imagine this is due to putting some more weight on the front axle of the truck.
04-26-2015, 08:07 AM
#25
I have been having a similar problem with the new TT we purchased last year. Getting the last bit of wiggle out of the trailer has been a challenge. Posters here and on other forums often suggest upgrading the tires on the truck to LT tires. I drive so much without the trailer that I can't handle the mileage decrease due to the extra weight of LT tires. Since I needed new tires on the truck this spring, I purchased a set of Hankook Dynapro ATM extra load tires. They are P tires, but they can hold more weight and you can run them up to 50 psi instead of the standard 44 psi. Pulled the camper for the first time last week with the new tires. A significant improvement over the old ones. Much less wiggle, very happy now.
04-26-2015, 09:49 AM
#26
Senior Member
I once hauled 2 cubic yards of gravel from a local nursery. I was WAYYY overloaded and had to inflate 90psi of air in the bags just to get the *** off the ground. Fortunately it was local and just a few back roads before reaching my residence. Having an onboard compressor is super convenient.
04-26-2015, 10:00 AM
#27
Okay, you're going to tell me I should use my F350 but I want the 150 to have better manners and use it with my trailer.
I have a 2014 F150 supercrew. GVWR 7350 payload 1395 according to the sticker. It's an EB with 3.31 rear axle. My trailer is a 2015 Forest River Vibe 268rks. About 6700lbs dry with 742lb hitch weight. My truck has an ARE canopy. I'm quite a bit under what my owners manual lists tow rating at 9200lbs. Not sure why the difference on the stickers, maybe I just dont understand the ratings well.
I am running an Andersen mfg NoSway hitch with weight distribution.
Here's my issue, the truck feels squirrelly as all hell. Now of course a trailer that weighs more than the truck will have significant inputs and effect how it drives. It's stable without the trailer moving around alot but the truck feels like it's being pushed a bit side to side. Not enough to require steering input but I sure do feel it.
I have set up the WD as the instructions in the manual that came with the hitch say. I tossed the Eaz lift hitch and friction bar that the dealer put on. It was much worse with that. The Andersen stopped the porpoising altogether but the side to side feeling is still there.
I've seen lots of things listed to help but dont know where to drop cash to improve things. This is the truck and trailer I have and I need to make it work.
First off a Hellwig rear sway bar, will this improve things?
Airbag rears?
Roadmaster Active suspension?
Any combinations of the above?
I have a 2014 F150 supercrew. GVWR 7350 payload 1395 according to the sticker. It's an EB with 3.31 rear axle. My trailer is a 2015 Forest River Vibe 268rks. About 6700lbs dry with 742lb hitch weight. My truck has an ARE canopy. I'm quite a bit under what my owners manual lists tow rating at 9200lbs. Not sure why the difference on the stickers, maybe I just dont understand the ratings well.
I am running an Andersen mfg NoSway hitch with weight distribution.
Here's my issue, the truck feels squirrelly as all hell. Now of course a trailer that weighs more than the truck will have significant inputs and effect how it drives. It's stable without the trailer moving around alot but the truck feels like it's being pushed a bit side to side. Not enough to require steering input but I sure do feel it.
I have set up the WD as the instructions in the manual that came with the hitch say. I tossed the Eaz lift hitch and friction bar that the dealer put on. It was much worse with that. The Andersen stopped the porpoising altogether but the side to side feeling is still there.
I've seen lots of things listed to help but dont know where to drop cash to improve things. This is the truck and trailer I have and I need to make it work.
First off a Hellwig rear sway bar, will this improve things?
Airbag rears?
Roadmaster Active suspension?
Any combinations of the above?