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-   -   WDH w/Sway setup help wanted (https://www.f150forum.com/f82/wdh-w-sway-setup-help-wanted-380294/)

Scoops286 04-22-2017 08:02 PM

WDH w/Sway setup help wanted
 
Posting photos from my phone then I will describe in more detail
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...d0db962c07.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...e89fc11477.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...638dbe86b2.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...b17ac02ac6.jpg

Scoops286 04-22-2017 08:17 PM

I have a 2015 SCREW 4x4 with 2.7 EB & 145 WB. 6500 Payload, 12800 GCVW, 7600 TowCap.
Hitching up a Coachmen Freedom Express 257BHS (about 5400 dry) with a E2 Fastway WDH with Sway Control.
I'm trying to dial in this WDH. Today I drove it about 25 miles round trip to the nearest CAT scale to be weighed (3000 Front, 3380 Rear, 5140 Trailer, 11520 GROSS)
I was hoping for a better tow experience, it wasn't awful, but enough sway felt to make my DW fairly nervous at times on the highway (65-70 mph)

Here are some numbers from my WDH setup (Truck wheel well & trailer frame)
Truck with no trailer: Front 37 & 3/8, Rear 39 & 1/4
Truck with with Trailer but no WDH: Front 38, Rear 36 & 3/4
Truck w Trailer & WDH: Front 37 & 5/8, Rear 37 & 1/2
TT hitched to Truck: Front Frame at 21&1/8, Rear Frame at 22&1/4 (so tipped down slightly)

From the CAT weighing, I come in slightly over my Trucks rear axle rating 3380 vs 3300 cap. Front has room to take some of that 3000 vs 3375 cap. I am also close to my payload 6380 vs 6500 cap. (Full tank of gas and full family of 4, not full gear in truck, camper packed close to what we will have camping)

My question is, what would the recommended adjustment be to shift some of the weight to the front axle? Will this help or hurt any sway I am already experiencing?
I have towed a boat for a few years, but new to towing a camper.

Thanks in advance for any tips.
-Brent

Steve Osborne 04-22-2017 09:27 PM

1 Attachment(s)
dash settings.....sway control is on???? any other/part of hitch package
also I use a friction bar sway with the truck..

Scoops286 04-23-2017 09:21 AM

Truck sway control setting is ON, E2 Fastway uses friction Sway Bars

Beachums 04-23-2017 10:48 AM

Shoot a pic of your hitch knuckle.....

Beachums 04-23-2017 10:53 AM

and BTW, in case you didn't know the CAT scales offer a reweigh price. I believe it's $3 vs the $10. You can reweigh as many times as you need to. When I was trying to dial in my Expedition with the auto load leveling suspension, I spent around $30 and an hour or so making adjustments.



This may help........

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15767586

Beachums 04-23-2017 11:22 AM

Okay, so I read the manual on your hitch looked at your measurements and here's what I would do....
1. Load the trailer up as you would if you were going camping. This is important...don't skimp.
2. Get back to that scale.
3. Weigh the trailer alone. Make sure you know what the true tongue weight is and your load bars are properly matched. If not, order the proper ones.
4. With the tongue weight in mind, make sure it is at least 10% of total trailer weight. 15% is better.
5. Adjust the WDH to ensure that you are not over gross on any axle and are still compliant with the instructions on the WDH manual.

Now, if you are looking for something quick and dirty (and possibly less safe) add 2 spacer washers to the head and test drive. What you are looking for is more effort to set the bars with that tool. That tells you that the weight is being pushed further forward on the truck.

As I am assuming that you are hauling the fam around, I would highly recommend you do the above bullet points. Only after I did all of that, did I find an enjoyable towing experience. Guessing is not good when it comes to these systems.

Scoops286 04-23-2017 12:00 PM

Actually just sent DW to get more washers while I mow the lawn. Dealer had it set up with 4 and didn't give me the extra. I had planned on trying to add 2 more like you suggest. I worry about trying to weigh the trailer alone as I would tie up the CAT scale for 15 mins during that process. Here is a google image of my hitch (mine is disassembled at the moment), I know mine is rated for 1000 / 10000. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...a47a110444.jpg

Scoops286 04-23-2017 02:31 PM

Added 2 washers, seemed to help but now wd/stabilizer bars are much harder get into place, have a slight visible flex to them.
measurements from before/after, need to return to CAT Scale yet

No trailer: Front 37&3/8, Rear 39&1/4
Trailer no WD: Front 38, Rear 36&3/4
Trailer & WD: Front 37&5/8, Rear 37&1/2
TT hitch 2 Truck: Front 21&1/8, Rear 22&1/4

+2 washers
Trailer & WD: Front 37&1/2 Rear 38
TT hitch 2 Truck: Front 21&1/2, Rear 22

after photos
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...b1ff04e740.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...e510fee73f.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...771c77d890.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...046f30fd7b.jpg

Scoops286 04-23-2017 02:34 PM

Anyone know of alternative manual jack cranks, better cheater bars, or other ideas to help get the stabilizer/WD bars in place? I use the power jack when I can connect to house power, but where I store it I don't have power and it drains the RV battery fast.


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