W22 Towing - The Tail Wagging The Dog

[Thomas28]

I have a 2005 W22 chassis, Fleetwood Southwind. By itsself, it handles OK.

However, while towing a Toyota RAV4, I will get random, side-to-side nudges while going down a straight road and correcting too quickly can make it worse.

Does anyone have a suggestion for modifications to the Southwind or RAV4 that might minimize this problem??

Thanks,
Tom C.

[Thomas28]

I have a 2005 W22 chassis, Fleetwood Southwind. By itsself, it handles OK.

However, while towing a Toyota RAV4, I will get random, side-to-side nudges while going down a straight road and correcting too quickly can make it worse.

Does anyone have a suggestion for modifications to the Southwind or RAV4 that might minimize this problem??

Thanks,
Tom C.

[Brazels RV Performance]

At our shop we would install a rear trac bar to cure that problem.We have the UltraTrac bars available at a special IRV2 price.

[oemtech]

I did a write on the front and rear UtraTrac bars.
Rront UltraTrac Install
Rear UltraTrac Install

[wa7hra]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Thomas28:
I have a 2005 W22 chassis, Fleetwood Southwind. By itsself, it handles OK.

However, while towing a Toyota RAV4, I will get random, side-to-side nudges while going down a straight road and correcting too quickly can make it worse.

Does anyone have a suggestion for modifications to the Southwind or RAV4 that might minimize this problem??

Thanks,
Tom C. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


No problem with my RAV4 and no mods to the W22. You could have a front end alignment problem on the RAV4 or you could have too much of a load in the back of the RAV4.

Bob, wa7hra

[Bigdaddy]

Go through all the setup. Make sure the tow is level or almost level. Tire pressures are correct (toad and MH.
I had the same and in the end, I installed the rear track bar. It corrected the tail wagging the dog.

[Joe Gilbert]

I also have a 2005 W22 with Ultrapower and a new CAI but no chassis mods.

I tow a Jeep Wrangler and have no signs of the "tail-wagging-the-dog" syndrome. I run the W22 tire pressures towards the high end and use a Roadmaster Sterling hitch.

I've towed with the W22 for just over 20,000 miles with no issues.

[jbrnigan]

Agree with everything previously noted. I also tow a Wrangler and installed a trac bar to correct for the Jeep "push" when the Jeep is affected by uneven road surfaces ect, not affecting the coach because of wheel base differences.

[Trek-Cyclist]

Thomas,
I have a L300 Saturn and had not experenced any towing problems in the past 20,000 miles. Before spending big money on mods make sure the tow vehicle is loaded correctly. The tow bar is as level as can be, Very crutical, no more then a few inches from level. If using a breaking system on the toad make sure it is working and adjusted properly. Check and see if the Toad is free wheeling and steering correctly. Last but not least tire pressure, check it, and check it again! Wife says make sure the tow bar is locking in place and staying locked!

[Spoonman]

I would go for the rear trac bar if tires & alignment check out, last I knew there was one for sale in tj=he classified sect.
Check with the experts here to see if it would fit your coach, they won`t steer you wrong.
No pun intended

[rgrstndgby]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Wife says make sure the tow bar is locking in place and staying locked! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Good advice. I had a few episodes of Non Lock, after I "lubed" a hole on the tow bar, that shouldn't get lubed!!.. Wife keeps a close eye on the lock up now. The Toad will "wander" into your mirror view on deceleration, go back where (but now how) it belongs on acceleration.. , rgr...

[Thomas28]

Thankyou, everyone, for your responses. There is nothing like the voice(s) of experience.

Since alignments and tire pressures and individual handling and loading are OK, I didn't want to buy a mod like the rear trac unless someone else thought it might help.

I see from several responses that installing that mod might be a good thing. I'm going to give it some more thought and road trials, but I suspect I'll eventually try it.

Thanks again.

Tom

[turbo6gto]

Just a thought,if this is a new set up on your Toyota,check to make sure the brackets are installed evenly on center.

[Trek-Cyclist]

Level Tow Bar? I seen the outcome of a high MH tow hookup on a pusher no less. Did you know in a panic stop a Ford F-150 can lift the rear MH wheels off the ground? Yep they can and it really messed up the F-150 too!