Towing Sway on 2015
11-22-2017, 12:21 PM
#61
11-22-2017, 12:22 PM
#62
Not only that but the 2015+ trucks share the same front suspension as the 2014's as far as I know. Thats why all the lift kits are 09-13 and then 14-18.
If it were a EAPS issue wouldn’t the dealer be able to connect up to the CAN bus and monitor it? The F250 trucks also use the same type system though probably use a different ratio, they don’t have a issue. If I remember correctly, I believe the 2018 max tow trucks get a different steering gear to slow steering response. This could be part of the problem.
For 2017: 20.0:1 122" WB, 141" WB, 17.0:1 145" WB, 157" WB, 164" WB
For 2014: 20.0:1 126" WB, 145" WB and 157" WB (with Max. Trailer Tow),
17.0:1 157" WB (without Trailer Tow) and 163" WB
Last edited by mass-hole; 11-22-2017 at 12:32 PM.
11-22-2017, 02:01 PM
#63
Senior Member
My '16 floats like crazy too. Tires inflated to 50psi, Timbrens, Blue Ox, been to the scales. Crazy thing is we pull the same trailer with a '14 157 HDPP Max Tow as well and it pulls like a mini SD.
I guess my next 2 stops are Hellwig Rear Sway bar, and then some good Michelins when these tires hit end of life.
I havent tried disabling the Trailer sway, but I thought it was more of an emergency thing when you got out of control (ie advance trac and ABS)
I guess my next 2 stops are Hellwig Rear Sway bar, and then some good Michelins when these tires hit end of life.
I havent tried disabling the Trailer sway, but I thought it was more of an emergency thing when you got out of control (ie advance trac and ABS)
11-22-2017, 02:05 PM
#64
Senior Member
I will say one thing though, Ive noticed a lot of the people swearing they have never had an issue talk about pulling at 60mph or something similar. 60mph is a pleasurable experience compared to getting out onto the interstates and rolling 70 to sometimes over 80 briefly passing vehicles. I get sucked into wakes like crazy.
11-22-2017, 02:45 PM
#65
Been following this thread and will add my experience and 2 cents...
Driving a 2016 5.0 XLT, Screw, 6.5 box, 4x4
Towing a 30' TT that weighs just over 6000# when fully loaded.
Using a Blue Ox hitch
Upgraded rear shocks to 5100's
Sticker payload: 1886 lb
Truck/trailer have hit the CAT scales and all weights verified and in the correct 'ballpark'.
My first trip with the trailer was driving about 600km after purchasing the trailer and I felt like I was at sea. I'd hit a bump and the truck would bounce along. This was on two-lane highways and over two mountain passes. I did a little research and upgraded the rear shocks to 5100's. This made a huge difference in the bounce and overall 'at sea' feeling. Now diving two-lane highways is easy going.
The interstate or a decent side wind is a different story. I will do up to 100kpm/63 mph when towing. Problem is on the interstate everyone is typically going faster than that, even semi's. The push/pull is certainly felt. The trailer does not sway, but I feel it in the wheel and the seat of my pants. Vehicles other than semi truck will cause this too. Sometimes a fast moving car or small truck. Then there are the crosswinds. I know the trailer is on the long side for an f150 (actual box part of the trailer is 27'), but man does it have an effect.
What I have noticed with the hitch is this:
When all connected and on a flat surface I can kick/push, at the hitch, in a sideways direction and there is a ton of lateral movement and play. I would think it should be way more solid side to side. Looking at my leaf springs, typically one end of the third leaf (overload/bottom leaf) is touching the middle leaf. The rear of the truck drops about 1.5" with the trailer and WD bars set up.
This side to side motion could easily start the trailer swaying and cause the 'at sea' feeling. My guess is the Blue Ox is handling the sway control really well, but the truck gets a little loose.
I plan to stiffen up the side to side for next summer and see if it helps. Couple options are sway bar, upgraded leaf/additional leaf spring, or sumo spring. Not sure what effect any of these options will have one the current WD set up.
Ideally, Ford would figure this out and provide a fix, but my guess is that will not happen anytime soon.
Would be interesting to get few trucks together on a Saturday and test all this out. Some 2014's and earlier and 2015+. Some 4x2 and 4x4.
Driving a 2016 5.0 XLT, Screw, 6.5 box, 4x4
Towing a 30' TT that weighs just over 6000# when fully loaded.
Using a Blue Ox hitch
Upgraded rear shocks to 5100's
Sticker payload: 1886 lb
Truck/trailer have hit the CAT scales and all weights verified and in the correct 'ballpark'.
My first trip with the trailer was driving about 600km after purchasing the trailer and I felt like I was at sea. I'd hit a bump and the truck would bounce along. This was on two-lane highways and over two mountain passes. I did a little research and upgraded the rear shocks to 5100's. This made a huge difference in the bounce and overall 'at sea' feeling. Now diving two-lane highways is easy going.
The interstate or a decent side wind is a different story. I will do up to 100kpm/63 mph when towing. Problem is on the interstate everyone is typically going faster than that, even semi's. The push/pull is certainly felt. The trailer does not sway, but I feel it in the wheel and the seat of my pants. Vehicles other than semi truck will cause this too. Sometimes a fast moving car or small truck. Then there are the crosswinds. I know the trailer is on the long side for an f150 (actual box part of the trailer is 27'), but man does it have an effect.
What I have noticed with the hitch is this:
When all connected and on a flat surface I can kick/push, at the hitch, in a sideways direction and there is a ton of lateral movement and play. I would think it should be way more solid side to side. Looking at my leaf springs, typically one end of the third leaf (overload/bottom leaf) is touching the middle leaf. The rear of the truck drops about 1.5" with the trailer and WD bars set up.
This side to side motion could easily start the trailer swaying and cause the 'at sea' feeling. My guess is the Blue Ox is handling the sway control really well, but the truck gets a little loose.
I plan to stiffen up the side to side for next summer and see if it helps. Couple options are sway bar, upgraded leaf/additional leaf spring, or sumo spring. Not sure what effect any of these options will have one the current WD set up.
Ideally, Ford would figure this out and provide a fix, but my guess is that will not happen anytime soon.
Would be interesting to get few trucks together on a Saturday and test all this out. Some 2014's and earlier and 2015+. Some 4x2 and 4x4.
11-22-2017, 03:11 PM
#66
Been following this thread and will add my experience and 2 cents...
Driving a 2016 5.0 XLT, Screw, 6.5 box, 4x4
Towing a 30' TT that weighs just over 6000# when fully loaded.
Using a Blue Ox hitch
Upgraded rear shocks to 5100's
Sticker payload: 1886 lb
Truck/trailer have hit the CAT scales and all weights verified and in the correct 'ballpark'.
My first trip with the trailer was driving about 600km after purchasing the trailer and I felt like I was at sea. I'd hit a bump and the truck would bounce along. This was on two-lane highways and over two mountain passes. I did a little research and upgraded the rear shocks to 5100's. This made a huge difference in the bounce and overall 'at sea' feeling. Now diving two-lane highways is easy going.
The interstate or a decent side wind is a different story. I will do up to 100kpm/63 mph when towing. Problem is on the interstate everyone is typically going faster than that, even semi's. The push/pull is certainly felt. The trailer does not sway, but I feel it in the wheel and the seat of my pants. Vehicles other than semi truck will cause this too. Sometimes a fast moving car or small truck. Then there are the crosswinds. I know the trailer is on the long side for an f150 (actual box part of the trailer is 27'), but man does it have an effect.
What I have noticed with the hitch is this:
When all connected and on a flat surface I can kick/push, at the hitch, in a sideways direction and there is a ton of lateral movement and play. I would think it should be way more solid side to side. Looking at my leaf springs, typically one end of the third leaf (overload/bottom leaf) is touching the middle leaf. The rear of the truck drops about 1.5" with the trailer and WD bars set up.
This side to side motion could easily start the trailer swaying and cause the 'at sea' feeling. My guess is the Blue Ox is handling the sway control really well, but the truck gets a little loose.
I plan to stiffen up the side to side for next summer and see if it helps. Couple options are sway bar, upgraded leaf/additional leaf spring, or sumo spring. Not sure what effect any of these options will have one the current WD set up.
Ideally, Ford would figure this out and provide a fix, but my guess is that will not happen anytime soon.
Would be interesting to get few trucks together on a Saturday and test all this out. Some 2014's and earlier and 2015+. Some 4x2 and 4x4.
Driving a 2016 5.0 XLT, Screw, 6.5 box, 4x4
Towing a 30' TT that weighs just over 6000# when fully loaded.
Using a Blue Ox hitch
Upgraded rear shocks to 5100's
Sticker payload: 1886 lb
Truck/trailer have hit the CAT scales and all weights verified and in the correct 'ballpark'.
My first trip with the trailer was driving about 600km after purchasing the trailer and I felt like I was at sea. I'd hit a bump and the truck would bounce along. This was on two-lane highways and over two mountain passes. I did a little research and upgraded the rear shocks to 5100's. This made a huge difference in the bounce and overall 'at sea' feeling. Now diving two-lane highways is easy going.
The interstate or a decent side wind is a different story. I will do up to 100kpm/63 mph when towing. Problem is on the interstate everyone is typically going faster than that, even semi's. The push/pull is certainly felt. The trailer does not sway, but I feel it in the wheel and the seat of my pants. Vehicles other than semi truck will cause this too. Sometimes a fast moving car or small truck. Then there are the crosswinds. I know the trailer is on the long side for an f150 (actual box part of the trailer is 27'), but man does it have an effect.
What I have noticed with the hitch is this:
When all connected and on a flat surface I can kick/push, at the hitch, in a sideways direction and there is a ton of lateral movement and play. I would think it should be way more solid side to side. Looking at my leaf springs, typically one end of the third leaf (overload/bottom leaf) is touching the middle leaf. The rear of the truck drops about 1.5" with the trailer and WD bars set up.
This side to side motion could easily start the trailer swaying and cause the 'at sea' feeling. My guess is the Blue Ox is handling the sway control really well, but the truck gets a little loose.
I plan to stiffen up the side to side for next summer and see if it helps. Couple options are sway bar, upgraded leaf/additional leaf spring, or sumo spring. Not sure what effect any of these options will have one the current WD set up.
Ideally, Ford would figure this out and provide a fix, but my guess is that will not happen anytime soon.
Would be interesting to get few trucks together on a Saturday and test all this out. Some 2014's and earlier and 2015+. Some 4x2 and 4x4.
Last edited by mass-hole; 11-22-2017 at 03:14 PM.
11-22-2017, 04:54 PM
#67
“Looking at my leaf springs, typically one end of the third leaf (overload/bottom leaf) is touching the middle leaf. The rear of the truck drops about 1.5" with the trailer and WD bars set up.“
I would suggest reducing the amount of WD until that lower overload is taking more weight. This will add lateral stiffness to the rear suspension and don’t be so concerned about being level. All the weight that isn’t transferred is being supported by those lighter springs and that’s not the way it should be.
I would suggest reducing the amount of WD until that lower overload is taking more weight. This will add lateral stiffness to the rear suspension and don’t be so concerned about being level. All the weight that isn’t transferred is being supported by those lighter springs and that’s not the way it should be.
Last edited by 8100hd; 11-22-2017 at 04:59 PM.
11-22-2017, 06:02 PM
#68
Member
Thread Starter
My '16 floats like crazy too. Tires inflated to 50psi, Timbrens, Blue Ox, been to the scales. Crazy thing is we pull the same trailer with a '14 157 HDPP Max Tow as well and it pulls like a mini SD.
I guess my next 2 stops are Hellwig Rear Sway bar, and then some good Michelins when these tires hit end of life.
I havent tried disabling the Trailer sway, but I thought it was more of an emergency thing when you got out of control (ie advance trac and ABS)
I guess my next 2 stops are Hellwig Rear Sway bar, and then some good Michelins when these tires hit end of life.
I havent tried disabling the Trailer sway, but I thought it was more of an emergency thing when you got out of control (ie advance trac and ABS)
Funny thing is that I have never tripped the Sway Control alarm, but the dealer tech can trip it anytime he wants on the highway without a trailer even attached.
I have tripped the hill start assist and the advance trac warning however with the WD and camper.
I hope to take the camper out after Thanksgiving to see if there is any difference without the Timbens and possibly with turning off the Sway Control.
11-22-2017, 06:52 PM
#69
Senior Member
Its weird because I dont have a wd hitch or timbrens(yet) and towing an 8500 lb or so loaded trailer is no issue with mine. Yes I feel the suck when semi blows by at at least 10 mph faster but it doesn't make my knuckles white at all. I do have the sway control on too
11-22-2017, 07:21 PM
#70
An airbag, and others of the same type don’t provide much lateral support just vertical. Even my 3/4 ton will feel a bit wiggly if I use too much WD and unload the bottom overload spring too much. The truck was designed for that spring to take the heavy loads, let it do it’s job.