Community Forums

1bigmess · 08-09-2016, 05:30 PM

That trailer's a little long for the lighter-weight 1/2 ton pickup maybe, as in the tail is wagging the dog. Look into sway control, or learn how to use what you have for that now.

Also play with increasing some of the tire pressures until you reach max tire pressure. You might also need LT rated tires if the tires you have are P rated.

Do you have TPMS for the trailer? It could be a life saver.

Batten54 · 08-09-2016, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkresge

Hard to tell from your pic, but that looks a lot like my Husky WD hitch, and the trailer looks to be close to 30'. Unfortunately, I can't see whether you've got anti-sway on there. If it's a Husky, their manuals call for TWO sway bars for anything longer than 26', one on either side of the hitch.

Having said that, your rig looks pretty close to level (maybe a little nose up on the TV), so I'm guessing your hitch & WD are set up pretty well. If so, the only issue should be sway control.

So the question is, what's your sway control situation?

Roger

I have a sway bar on the curb side. I was told to tighten it with "two fingers"...I crank it a little tighter but not so much that I bend the plate.

I run the air bags about 30-35lbs...when it gets bad I punch the button up to 55-60lbs. That helps...a little. My Air-Lift 5000 system is good for 100lbs in bags although I've never had them close to that.

Batten54 · 08-09-2016, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Lindy

As others have mentioned but, I'd also add look at your tire pressures, low pressure will also cause fish tailing, along with excessive speed, how fast are you towing?

I run the tires close to max on the sidewalls. The F150 has the stock P275/55R20s on it. Same size in a "LT" might help...?

Only run 65 once in a while...mostly around 60. I had to slow to 50-55 a lot going across NM & AZ on I40...twice in one month!

We are thinking about going to a 5th wheel. Possibly a light one made for 1/2 tons...but probably a F250 diesel.

1bigmess · 08-09-2016, 09:26 PM

The P tires have very flexible sidewalls for driving comfort. LT tires have stiffer sidewalls and can have a higher carrying capacity. You will likely notice the difference immediately. I wouldn't blame you for not switching the tires out until the current ones need replacement, but I don't think they're helping.

If you're thinking 250/2500 for a 5er, seriously consider a 350/3500. Not much difference in price from the 3/4 ton truck. No one has ever complained about having a little too much truck, especially when towing.

keymastr · 08-09-2016, 09:52 PM

Yeah, 5er and 1/2 ton do not go together well. Have to make em pretty flimsy to be light enough.

Batten54 · 08-10-2016, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bigmess

The P tires have very flexible sidewalls for driving comfort. LT tires have stiffer sidewalls and can have a higher carrying capacity. You will likely notice the difference immediately. I wouldn't blame you for not switching the tires out until the current ones need replacement, but I don't think they're helping.

If you're thinking 250/2500 for a 5er, seriously consider a 350/3500. Not much difference in price from the 3/4 ton truck. No one has ever complained about having a little too much truck, especially when towing.

I think if I went with a F350/3500 it would be a SRW. I had a RAM diesel dually, Longhorn 3500, great truck for pulling the 40' Cardinal we had...hated to drive it in crowded parking lots.

1bigmess · 08-10-2016, 08:41 AM

Oh yeah, I'm not suggesting you go DRW with the one ton. Just saying that the difference in purchase price isn't that much, and it gives you a very nice capacity cushion with a small 5er, but is also there already for a larger unit if you end up with one, sooner or later.

Cumminsfan · 08-10-2016, 08:56 AM

I think you have the cart before the horse. 1st most 1/2 ton 5th wheels are smaller and you'll compromise layout and CCC. If you're seriously looking at getting a 5th wheel, why not get the 3/4 or 1 ton truck 1st? Then you can get a larger 5th wheel with more amenities for not much more money.
Also if you're looking at a diesel you'll find that with a 3/4 ton you won't have much for payload. Diesel 3/4 tons generally have around 2100-2200lbs for payload. A 1 ton will give you 3500-4000lbs for payload.

As to your TT sway issue. You need two of the sway bars for any TT 26' and longer. Also you should really be using a friction based sway control WD. Like a Reese or Equalizer. Air bags shouldn't be needed on the ruck if you have a properly set up WD. You're making the bags do what the WD should. According to Ford you need to return the front of the truck to 50% or less of the difference between hitched and unhitched.

lynnmor · 08-11-2016, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batten54

I have a sway bar on the curb side. I was told to tighten it with "two fingers"...I crank it a little tighter but not so much that I bend the plate.

Whoever told you that doesn't have a clue. The handle is for turning the sway control on and off, the bolt is for adjusting it. Read the instructions.

I think that the plate you mentioned is actually the flat spring, if you don't bend it there is no significant friction.

RSchleder · 08-11-2016, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Bigger truck.

As usual----there's no problem that can't be cured with a BIGGER TRUCK!

Cumminsfan · 08-11-2016, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSchleder

As usual----there's no problem that can't be cured with a BIGGER TRUCK!

You don't see 3/4 ton guys coming on RV forums complaining about TT tow problems. Maybe 1 out of 50. 8400lbs and 31' is too much for a 1/2 ton. Only a couple 1/2 tons made are capable of towing that TT. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

keymastr · 08-11-2016, 11:03 AM

I agree you are pushing the limits and would ultimately be better off with a bigger truck but with the hitch set up properly you should have no big issues. I believe you probably have too little tongue weight and possibly not transfering enough weight through the hitch plus don't have the sway control loaded enough.

Go to youtube and search for "setting up xxxx weight distribution hitch" for good visuals.

mel s · 08-11-2016, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Bigger truck.

Smaller trailer?

1bigmess · 08-11-2016, 11:22 AM

Bigger truck == smaller trailer ???

I have a bigger truck and smaller trailer, and it tows so nice. The only time I don't like towing is on CALIFORNIA FREEWAYS!!!