Trailer sway

Discuss with others about towing. What is the best tow vehicle, hitches, brake controllers, etc, keeping in mind that everybody has his/her favorite.

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shimano1
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Trailer sway

Post by shimano1 »

I am pulling a 2013 3450RL with a 2011 F-350 king ranch SRW and the trailer seems to sway quite a bit while going down the road @ 65-70 mph even with relatively low winds. My question is, is the trailer loaded incorrectly or is there other issues. I did upgrade tires and rims to Goodyear G114's for the heavier trailer and run them at about 115-118 psi. Any input would be appreciated. thanks
Kenny and Debbie Scholz
Kingsville TX
2019 Cardinal Luxury 3875 FBX
2019 F-350 SD, 6.7 king ranch srw
snoking

Re: Trailer sway

Post by snoking »

How level is the truck setting? Maybe you need air bags on the rear of the truck. How are the shocks on the trailer? Tires and inflation on the truck? Maybe you are ready for a duallie? Chris
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Olbird
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by Olbird »

The new trailers do not have shocks
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by Mike Clay »

They have not had shocks since early 2010 Like Chris said are you nose high or low?
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shimano1
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by shimano1 »

I have air bags on the truck and it and the trailer ride pretty level. I run the factory Michelin 20" tires at 80 psi on the rear and about 75-78 on the front. And no it's not time for a dually, these things are to $$$$$$$ :cry: The truck only has 12,000 miles on it so the tires on both rigs are almost brand new.
Kenny and Debbie Scholz
Kingsville TX
2019 Cardinal Luxury 3875 FBX
2019 F-350 SD, 6.7 king ranch srw
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Mike Clay
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by Mike Clay »

Well if you are sitting level there really should not be any sway. Question is it sway or feel like its rolling. Does your pin box have an air bag? Do you run with any fresh water? Have you weighed the trailer to see what your pin weight is? Does the suspension on the trailer seem tight? I know lots of questions but trying to narrow it down for you. You would really have to load the front of the trailer to pack it wrong. There is not that much room for storage in the rear. I had 20's on my srw Chevy and until I bought this new trailer I did not have a problem. Only difference I ran 75 psi in the rear and 65 psi in the front tires. Depending on where your hitch sits over the rear axle you really do not transfer that much to the front so you are running the front tires pretty high

Your trailer empty probably weighed 13,200 lbs or so.(check the yellow sticker) Pin on that trailer empty is around 2,400 lbs. Go weigh it and see where you are now.
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
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Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
shimano1
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by shimano1 »

My pin box does not have an air bag on it, it is a trailair but no air bag. Also i do not carry fresh water on board. Maybe I should slow down a little bit to 60-65 mph. I sure don't want to drop another 65K on a dually.
Kenny and Debbie Scholz
Kingsville TX
2019 Cardinal Luxury 3875 FBX
2019 F-350 SD, 6.7 king ranch srw
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Mike Clay
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by Mike Clay »

Well if it was me this is what I would consider. Lower your front tire air pressure down to 65 or 70 psi. Put 1/3 tank of fresh water in to balance out the load some and slowing down is always a good thing. Give these things a try and see if you notice a difference.
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by ike »

Is this a new hitch? If so it should be about 2" in front of the axel. Juse a thought....
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by shimano1 »

Thanks for all the good feedback guys, I will try these things out in August when I head to the Texas hill country. The hitch is new but the new Fords come with the bed pre rigged for the reese elite hitch. I just drop it in and lock it down.
Kenny and Debbie Scholz
Kingsville TX
2019 Cardinal Luxury 3875 FBX
2019 F-350 SD, 6.7 king ranch srw
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by Mike Clay »

ike wrote:Is this a new hitch? If so it should be about 2" in front of the axel. Juse a thought....
All depends on the make of truck. Chevy is pretty much centered over the axle. Don't know about Ford and Dodge.
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
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powerstroke1
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by powerstroke1 »

Fords are also pretty much centered over the axle.
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Rob & Cathy

Re: Trailer sway

Post by Rob & Cathy »

powerstroke1 wrote:Fords are also pretty much centered over the axle.
I think that's where most get installed but I believe Ford recommends 1-2" in front of the axle.

Rob
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by emtdave »

Puling a 2005 37 RL with a 2013 F350 PSD, crew cab SB, SRW. No sign of sway, even in cross wind. Trailair pin box, 20K Reese hitch, slider, 17/8" ahead of axle centerline, per Reese instructions. 20" Michelin 65 psi front, 80 psi rear per the truck sticker. Trailer tires are 14 ply, G rated running 110 psi. Towing attitude is just a hair nose high, truck is level. No water in the fresh water tank. I keep my road speed at 65-67 mph. Suggestion to add water may help balance issue, tire pressure and sidewall flex may have more of an impact, follow manufacturers recommendations when in doubt.

Have a good day, and good luck solving your issues. There is a wealth of information available within this group, these folks have helped me solve a number of problems.

Dave
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Re: Trailer sway

Post by shimano1 »

Maybe the issue is with the front tire pressure on the truck, I run them about 70 - 75 psi when towing the rv and 80 in the rear. I bought the Goodyear G114's @ truckandtrailertires.com and they recommended running them at 115-118 psi so I run them around 117 psi. Just noticed yesterday that both Michelins on the right side of the truck are missing big chunks of rubber from the same rib on the tires. So a trip to discount tire tomorrow to see what they will do about it, seeing that the truck only has 12,000 miles on it.$$$$$$$$ :(
Last edited by shimano1 on Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Kenny and Debbie Scholz
Kingsville TX
2019 Cardinal Luxury 3875 FBX
2019 F-350 SD, 6.7 king ranch srw
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