Sway Bar Help

[2cutekids]

Hello, I am new to the forum so if this is not the correct place for this question I am sorry!

We have a 30' Coachman Capri and are currently pulling it from Huntsville, AL to Montevallo, AL (approx. 145 miles). We are pulling it with a GMC 1500 with weight distribution set up but NO sway control! We can only drive around 50-55mph on the interstate and the sway is a bit scary. What type of sway is best for our traveling? We usually only take it about 10 miles from the house so we've never experienced this! I've read we need one and I've read we need two!

PLEASE HELP! Thanks!

[timarti]

Would help to know what kind of WD hitch you have!

[vtbigdog]

What year is your GMC 1500? Are the tires properly inflated on both the truck and trailer?

Does it sway when you take a corner at 50-55 mph or does it sway only in a straight line? If so check the alignment on your truck.

[2cutekids]

WD is 1,000 lbs and tires are perfect, just put brand new ones on! 1997 GMC 1500, and it sways either way, straight and curves/turns!

[wingnut60]

One of 2 things could be wrong:
Weight distribution biased too much to rear of trailer axles;
WD hitch not adjusted correctly;
Joe

[timarti]

The reason I asked about the type of WD system was to see if you could add one or two friction sway bars. That would be $50 to $100 or so, depending on one or two and would probably be the cheapest fix.

[TXiceman]

A 30' TT is a lot for a 1/2 ton 1500 Chevy. Have you ever checked your weights to see if you have about 12% of the trailer weight on the tongue? It does need sway control and your best bet is to get a Reese Dual Cam HP hitch which has sway control integral with the hitch.

Ken

[tuffr2]

The problem might be the truck. In 1997 rust was still a problem. How is the feame of your truck? If the frame is ok remember that frame is no where as good as the newer much stiffer frames.

It seems to me to be a bad combination of old 1/2 ton truck pulling a big trailer.

Google 'what causes trailer sway'. There are a myriad of causes from trailer design to uneven weight of the trailer front to back and left to right. Does the trailer have an areodynamic front cap?

Lots of causes. Maybe an propride or hensley fancy hitch system would help.

Good luck

[2cutekids]

It does not have aerodynamic front cap. We plan to buy one sway bar this week to pull again this weekend. I'm wondering if my 2003 Explorer (v6) pull it better?

[2cutekids]

Is there a reason to buy or not to buy two sway bars?

[rssnape]

Originally Posted by 2cutekids

It does not have aerodynamic front cap. We plan to buy one sway bar this week to pull again this weekend. I'm wondering if my 2003 Explorer (v6) pull it better?

I think the explorer with that big of a trailer is asking to be on the traffic report on the 6 o'clock news!

[TXiceman]

Forget the Explorer with the 30' trailer.

Ken

[chawkins99]

We used to have a 27ft TT which we pulled with a 2003 Expedition and an Equalizer WD hitch. The Equalizer was rated at 10,000lb and the TT weighed in at around 7,500lb.
We never had any problems with Sway with that setup.
The key questions are:
What is the GVWR of the camper?
What is the towing capacity of the truck?
What WD hitch do you have?
If the Explorer has the factory tow package, it should be rated for around 5,000lbs. Probably under the GVWR of the TT. I would not want to tow with an Explorer. If no factory tow, it's rated at 3,500lbs.

[chawkins99]

BTW: If interested, we still have the Equalizer and live 10 miles from Montevallo.