Need help with swaying problems

[smurfsofwar]

Originally Posted by Menendez

The numbers aren't fiction. IME much common sense is nonsense. If sway is prevented in the first place what advantage would a bigger truck provide?

How will the F150 HD payload magically reduce or prevent sway? That's a pretty expensive gamble in my eyes. For a 34' possibly 9000lbs trailer, moving from one half ton to another is moving laterally no matter what the payload sticker says IMHO. If you're going to have to spend the money then might as well make sure you get the most bang for the buck. You're running under the assumption that the sway is in fact being caused by an over loaded half ton when in fact it could have very little to do with it at all but could actually have a lot to do with a poor hitch setup. Given that there are literally thousands of half tons running the highways with loads the same size or larger and likely over GVWR far more than OP who report smooth sailing (a rough number based on the forums I frequent) I am kind of leaning to it being a poor hitch setup or simply a bad length to wheelbase ratio. 3/4 ton territory.

[Menendez]

Originally Posted by smurfsofwar

How will the F150 HD payload magically reduce or prevent sway?

I haven't claimed it does. It does allow heavier trailers, such as the OP's, to now be used without going over payload. That was my point.

Originally Posted by smurfsofwar

You're running under the assumption that the sway is in fact being caused by an over loaded half ton when in fact it could have very little to do with it at all but could actually have a lot to do with a poor hitch setup.

You misunderstand me. I'm saying that if sway is caused by reasons other than TV size-- poor setup or a poor hitch say--then solving such problems and preventing sway in the first place should negate the claimed advantages of larger trucks in controlling sway--if no sway occurs it needn't be controlled. If my premise is valid my reasoning is sound. If.

[smurfsofwar]

Originally Posted by Menendez

I haven't claimed it does. It does allow heavier trailers, such as the OP's, to now be used without going over payload. That was my point.





You misunderstand me. I'm saying that if sway is caused by reasons other than TV size-- poor setup or a poor hitch say--then solving such problems and preventing sway in the first place should negate the claimed advantages of larger trucks in controlling sway--if no sway occurs it needn't be controlled. If my premise is valid my reasoning is sound. If.

Ooohh. Sorry, I misunderstood you entirely. Now I'm following. Thanks for clearing it up for me.

Back to our regularily scheduled programming [emoji4]

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Just curious, do you have ST tires on your trailer, and if so, have you checked the max speed rating? I didn't realize the ST tires I had on my previous travel trailer were rated at a max of 65 mph. I researched it after I blew a tire on the freeway in Florida while traveling 70 mph.

Yes, ST 65mph rated.
I have pushed that 65 limit a few times with no issues, but I do try to keep it in check.

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by smurfsofwar

The way that 2500 is squatting, I imagine it's a lot more than 500lbs. Have you taken a tongue weight? I'm not chastising- I'm curious

The tongue weight varies greatly with load: how full are propane tanks, how much is in the holding tanks at the back, we have the optional outside kitchen (also back weight).
It's not really squatting, though. The fender to tire gap at the back is still greater than the front. If anything, it's close to level compared to how it sits empty.

[twinboat]

Some here have said, sway is a truck to trailer weight thing. If the F150, F250 and F350 trucks weigh within 400 pounds of each other, how will that help in limiting sway. Does that mean you need to load your F350 up with heavy stuff?


Just thinking out loud.

[NFlcamper]

My GMC Z71 weighed 5300# my Dodge 2500 weighs 7260# , what math makes that 400#?

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by NFlcamper

My GMC Z71 weighed 5300# my Dodge 2500 weighs 7260# , what math makes that 400#?

When is the F150 F250 F350 in your figures?

[tuffr2]

Fyi...a 2014 (not the new aluminum) F-150 weighs approx 5,700lbs. The F-250 weighs approx 7,700lbs. That is a 2,000lb difference between a 1/2 ton truck and a 3/4 ton truck.

Ram and GM differences are about the same. Their 1/2 ton trucks are 2,000 lbs. lighter than their heavy duty trucks.

How did anyone figure there was a just a 400lb. diff? That is a bogus number.

[NFlcamper]

Thank you. I don't know the Ford numbers, but figured 400# wasn't right.

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Fyi...a 2014 (not the new aluminum) F-150 weighs approx 5,700lbs. The F-250 weighs approx 7,700lbs. That is a 2,000lb difference between a 1/2 ton truck and a 3/4 ton truck.

Ram and GM differences are about the same. Their 1/2 ton trucks are 2,000 lbs. lighter than their heavy duty trucks.

How did anyone figure there was a just a 400lb. diff? That is a bogus number.

Thought he said f250 to f350.
400lbs is the dual rear wheels.

[DTG173]

Thanks to my OCD, I bought a hitch scale. I have a toy hauler with a 110 gal. fresh tank so the tongue weight does vary depending on if I'm going boondocking or for a full hook up weekend. I can move some things around, or add water if I need to keep the tongue at 10-15%. Call it piece of mind I guess.

[TDI-Minnie]

Also, gas or diesel. In my Ram, the difference between the Cummins and Hemi is about 1,000 lbs. More! So the diesel make one heck of a good counterweight to what you hang off the rear.

But it also reduces your payload accordingly. The gasser can carry that much more than the diesel.

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by DTG173

Call it piece of mind I guess.

Another reason to have too much truck... you can add weight and not worry.

I'll call it peace of mind. ;-)