Community Forums

muddyfox · 11-10-2012, 09:44 AM

We have a new Keystone Laredo TT and towed this behind our Chevrolet Silverado 1/2 ton ok. I have upgraded to the Ford F150 with the Eco Boost and max trailer package. Truck is rated to pull 12000 lbs. I am exp. some sway at 60mph. R/V dealer says we need to beef up by adding springs to truck. How about a Henley or Reese Dual Cam Hitch? Help

wonderer1 · 11-10-2012, 12:43 PM

you might also look at your tires, what are they rated at ? i'm talking about side wall flex. that's one reason i've always leaned toward duals, 4 sidewalls per side vs 2.

wingnut60 · 11-10-2012, 04:43 PM

What is the hitch you have now? I would lean toward it not being adjusted correctly for the Ford.
Joe

Groveite · 11-14-2012, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

What is the hitch you have now? I would lean toward it not being adjusted correctly for the Ford.
Joe

I agree Joe. I have a similar truck and have not had any sway problems, however the original Wranglers on my truck will soon be replaced with something a bit heavier (they are P and I will go to LT) and I have always found them a bit "squirmy" but they have towed some 11,000 miles with no trouble. They are not down to the tread wear indicators yet but getting close so new ones will be my Xmas present!
Ian

muddyfox · 11-15-2012, 08:02 AM

thanks for the feed back. My son and I are taking my rig to a truck scale here in town and after that will try re-setting the current hitch. Will do this before trying anything else. Have been thinking about a new hitch anyway. Any thoughts on that if it comes to getting a new one?

NFlcamper · 11-15-2012, 09:29 PM

Hitch height!
Properly set up, the truck and trailer frames should be level for traveling.
The trucks hitch should be slightly higher than the trailer tongue when un coupled and trailer frame level to the ground. The truck will squat down when coupled. Too much squat and a dangerously light steer axle can't control the two. A weight distribution hitch lifts the rear of the tow vehicle and pivots the weight to the both front and rear axles of the tow vehicle. How much weight distribution hitch rating depends on actual tongue weight of the trailer. Even lighter weight trailers can benefit from WD hitches.

pjones1969 · 11-16-2012, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddyfox

thanks for the feed back. My son and I are taking my rig to a truck scale here in town and after that will try re-setting the current hitch. Will do this before trying anything else. Have been thinking about a new hitch anyway. Any thoughts on that if it comes to getting a new one?

I really like the Equalizer I have, wdh and sway all in one, no need for additional sway attachment and no unhooking before backing up.

I pull a Puma Unleashed 27sbu with my F150 Ecoboost, have not experienced any sway, I did adjust it from where the dealer had it, not because of sway, front end seemed a little light, made a difference.

http://www.equalizerhitch.com/About%.../fourpoint.php

sherri330 · 11-16-2012, 05:01 PM

X2 on the Equalizer Hitch. We also have a F150 Eco Boost with max tow package. Towing a 33' travel trailer. After the first couple of trips, we started noticing sway. Turns out, the dealer that installed our hitch did not properly torque all the bolts. If they start to loosen, you will get sway. We tightened up all bolts and have not had any more problems. We now check for tightness after every 2nd or 3rd trip.

georgetown350 · 11-16-2012, 05:44 PM

Its expensive but I would get the Hensley hitch.

wandering1 · 11-17-2012, 05:34 PM

A different hitch will not solve the problem. Get a truck that will handle the trailer. 1/2 tons are overated for towing trailers. You need a stiffer, stronger suspension to control the trailer. 1/2 tons have soft suspensions so you wont complain about the ride. You probably have a short bed which is not the best for controlling trailers, get a long bed, the longer the wheelbasae the more contorl the truck has.

georgetown350 · 11-17-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

A different hitch will not solve the problem. Get a truck that will handle the trailer. 1/2 tons are overated for towing trailers. You need a stiffer, stronger suspension to control the trailer. 1/2 tons have soft suspensions so you wont complain about the ride. You probably have a short bed which is not the best for controlling trailers, get a long bed, the longer the wheelbasae the more contorl the truck has.

I completely disagree. The F 150 is definitely all the truck you will need. Just get a good hitch system.

Flagstaff206 · 11-17-2012, 08:30 PM

I would have to say that your hitch is not set up properly. A 1/2 ton truck should pull your camper just fine. I have pulled A LOT with my 2004 F150 and my Dads 2009 F150 both 5.4L. 3.73 gears. I have pulled my 7k pound boat with both with no problems, pulled flat bed trailers with tractor on it about 7k pounds and a crap load of tongue weight with NO problems. Also pulled lighter enclosed trailers with both trucks. Now with the tongue weight of a TT you should be using a weight distribution hitch. The F150 has alot stiffer frame and suspension than the chevy (probably going to start an argument but oh well).

muddyfox · 11-18-2012, 07:58 AM

Thanks for the great feedback. Will start with the hitch, already have wd hitch so will make sure that is properly set up and then will go from there. Friend of ours has the Henley and loves it, they are pricey but if they are as good as everyone claims may be worth the cost. New truck is out of the question, ours is under 2000 miles.

Flagstaff206 · 11-18-2012, 04:15 PM

I have towed with several brands of weight distribution hitches, I haven't seen a difference with any of the ones I have used. Not saying the high dollar ones aren't better, being I haven't used one but all the others I have used did the job just fine. My best friend had a 2000 GMC 1500 4x4 and we use it to pull his 28' 10k pound race car trailer. Now the truck is MAXED OUT but the weight distribution hitch does just fine, can't remember the brand but is not an expensive one