Need help with swaying problems

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by timetogo

If you want to tow that trailer with the Toyota, research Hensley and Propride hitches. Get your money back on whatever the dealer put on. Its just not adequate. Good luck.

Ditto on what Timetogo says. I have a Ford F-350, crew cab, used to tow a 27' Travel Trailer. Had a Hensley Arrow hitch, ($2,500.00 rebuilt from Hensley) or $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 used and I would not tow another travel trailer without the Hensley. I can't personally speak to the Propride, which was an evolution of the Hensley, some say a good one, some not, but like I said, I can only speak about he Hensley from PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Most of the people who speak poorly about the Hensley or Propride do so because of the price, and not because they have any personal knowledge of them. They're just talking out their . . . .well, they're releasing hot air! Anyway, totally eliminated any sway.

That being said, I still think you need a larger, more capable truck. The dealer that sold it to you did what he needed to do to get you out the door, and should be put out of business!

[tuffr2]

A 34' camping trailer does not even look right behind a little 1/2 ton truck. That is a big TT.

Try a fancy sway control hitch 1st. That might take enough sway out of your rig so you can drive without white knuckles.

The next time you take a trip in a car notice how slow 1/2 ton trucks are driving when towing a trailer. Just observe. Then notice 3/4 and 1 ton trucks towing trailers...again, just observe. Then notice dually trucks towing...my observations are such that as the truck gets bigger they can tow at faster speeds.

Just my observation.

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

A 34' camping trailer does not even look right behind a little 1/2 ton truck. That is a big TT.

Try a fancy sway control hitch 1st. That might take enough sway out of your rig so you can drive without white knuckles.

The next time you take a trip in a car notice how slow 1/2 ton trucks are driving when towing a trailer. Just observe. Then notice 3/4 and 1 ton trucks towing trailers...again, just observe. Then notice dually trucks towing...my observations are such that as the truck gets bigger they can tow at faster speeds.

Just my observation.

Totally agree. I can cruise in any lane at any speed with no concerns other than my tires (at speed).
But since I like to occasionally stir the conventional thought puddin'
Here is my hitch setup on a long wheelbase 3/4 ton diesel. The trailer is about 7 feet longer than the truck, but the truck is 1,000lbs heavier than the trailer:

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

Here is my hitch setup on a long wheelbase 3/4 ton diesel.

That trailer has a lot more than 500 pounds tongue weight. So towing that trailer with a weight-carrying hitch is asking for a huge surprise when you encounter the wrong set of conditions when on the road. For example. a wet (slick) highway on a curve and hit a chuckhole while meeting a huge 18-wheeler at speed with a high cross wind all at the same time. That doesn't happen very often, but when it does, I'm glad I have my ProPride hitch hooked up to prevent the resulting sway.

[mhbell]

I just got this video this morning in one of my news letters about trailer sway and what happens. below is the link to the video.
Mel


https://youtu.be/INyiMA3hfto or CLICK HERE

[Loraura]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

A 34' camping trailer does not even look right behind a little 1/2 ton truck. That is a big TT.

Try a fancy sway control hitch 1st. That might take enough sway out of your rig so you can drive without white knuckles.

The next time you take a trip in a car notice how slow 1/2 ton trucks are driving when towing a trailer. Just observe. Then notice 3/4 and 1 ton trucks towing trailers...again, just observe. Then notice dually trucks towing...my observations are such that as the truck gets bigger they can tow at faster speeds.

Just my observation.

This is not always true. I tow a 33 foot TT with a half ton, everything including payload is within specs, and with the Blue Ox I don't have sway problems. I DID have problems with the cheap friction setup the dealer sold me. I replaced it after 2 trips.

I just drove it today and had to watch myself from accidentally creeping up on 70mph. Rolling Texas Hillcountry terrain some wind, some interstate, some highway.

Additionally, towing faster is not everyone's goal. I prefer not to exceed my tire limits.

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

That trailer has a lot more than 500 pounds tongue weight. So towing that trailer with a weight-carrying hitch is asking for a huge surprise when you encounter the wrong set of conditions when on the road. For example. a wet (slick) highway on a curve and hit a chuckhole while meeting a huge 18-wheeler at speed with a high cross wind all at the same time. That doesn't happen very often, but when it does, I'm glad I have my ProPride hitch hooked up to prevent the resulting sway.

Yeah, it's a little over 500lbs, but not a lot. I've towed this setup 15,000+ miles including one particularly interesting run through TX from Amarillo to Dallas on 287 last June where we had 30-40mph wind gusts from the SW hitting us broadside. Passing semis got interesting because they actually acted as wind blockers, but I never had an issue other than them maintaining their lane.
That was a long day in the saddle.

[wandering1]

Been there, done that. You can use 100 wdh and sway bars and it will not solve your problem. You need a truck with a suspension system and wheel base that will control the trailer, at least a 3/4 ton. Good luck with the suicide rig, many others havent made it.

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

A 34' camping trailer does not even look right behind a little 1/2 ton truck. That is a big TT.

Try a fancy sway control hitch 1st. That might take enough sway out of your rig so you can drive without white knuckles.

The next time you take a trip in a car notice how slow 1/2 ton trucks are driving when towing a trailer. Just observe. Then notice 3/4 and 1 ton trucks towing trailers...again, just observe. Then notice dually trucks towing...my observations are such that as the truck gets bigger they can tow at faster speeds.

Just my observation.

Yep, I have noticed that too, but I wonder how many of those people who go hauling down the road with a Travel Trailer with ST tires at speeds of 70, 75 and 80 mph realize that their ST tires are generally speed rated for a MAX speed of 65 mph! I'll bet when they blow a tire at 80 mph, they'll scream long and loud about those crummy tires!

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

Totally agree. I can cruise in any lane at any speed with no concerns other than my tires (at speed).
But since I like to occasionally stir the conventional thought puddin'
Here is my hitch setup on a long wheelbase 3/4 ton diesel. The trailer is about 7 feet longer than the truck, but the truck is 1,000lbs heavier than the trailer:

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.

[Menendez]

The OP can solve his payload problems in a "half ton" truck with a new generation Ford F150 with the heavy duty payload package, which can exceed 3000 pounds payload.

http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/

Even standard suspension F150s now have very high payloads; I'm considering an extended cab 2WD XLT which has a basic payload of 2280 pounds.

If sway is prevented in the first place (by proper setup, a suitable hitch, etc) then the supposed ability of a super duty truck to control sway in progress is not needed. If the tail never wags it can't wag the dog.

[smurfsofwar]

I am skeptical of a half ton truck, HD payload or not, being able to properly control that trailer. The HD payload F150 is still significantly lighter than the trailer even when at full GVWR and is still a shorter wheelbase truck. Common sense will play more of a role than fictional numbers. Big trailer= big truck.

[smurfsofwar]

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

Yeah, it's a little over 500lbs, but not a lot. I've towed this setup 15,000+ miles including one particularly interesting run through TX from Amarillo to Dallas on 287 last June where we had 30-40mph wind gusts from the SW hitting us broadside. Passing semis got interesting because they actually acted as wind blockers, but I never had an issue other than them maintaining their lane.
That was a long day in the saddle.

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

[Menendez]

Originally Posted by smurfsofwar

I am skeptical of a half ton truck, HD payload or not, being able to properly control that trailer. The HD payload F150 is still significantly lighter than the trailer even when at full GVWR and is still a shorter wheelbase truck. Common sense will play more of a role than fictional numbers. Big trailer= big truck.

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?