Sway on new 5th Wheel. Please HELP!!

[brian372lok]

I have had some sway issues on my Sierra 372LOK. I had a 2015 F350 short bed crew cabin with air bags. I had a Reese Elite installed in my truck and with a Reese Sidewinder for the trailer (with purchased wedge). I don't recall sway at on way to the first trip because i was nervous as all hell, way back was good going easy until i went North in highway with 30-40 mph winds but everyone had issues that day. The second trip i had slight sway, but i did have a new sidewinder because Camping world damaged it (IDIOTS). The third trip i had a new truck. I had a local truck shop go thru and adjust Sidewinder because CW are idiots. I left and drove 4 hours. 70mph was no issues, handled like a dream. Caught my self at 80 at one point and nothing (usually 70).Then on second leg of trip i had some sway and thought it was in my head. On way home i had sway. 10mph cross winds. Random f350 with 5th wheel trailer i was following had almost nothing (only when semi passed). Once i got out of corn fields and had trees on side of road it went mostly away but i assume something is still wrong.

I do get some noise stopping and going. (Chucking?) I don't get an other movement other than sway. So a clank when i accelerate from a stop doesn't bother me much. I am slightly noise high. Trailer place was going to adjust pin but with sidewinder i will have to trim the "frame" because it prevent Sidewinder from turning, this has the vin on it so I didn't trim it for now because i believe i am an inch or two high out of level on trailer)

I so want to level the front of my truck, but not sure this can happen. Old truck had 20" wheels and BF Goodrich, new platinum still has factory tires and wheels on it for now. It does ride a little more bouncier because the trailer is sitting right at the overload springs. The truck sits 1/4" higher in the back now (which sits about 3 -3.5" lower than stock with weight. If i put bags i will need to keep air to keep them off overload, which will raise the truck rear slightly, or remove the overload springs??? Trailer is 14,260 lbs. Clothes would add a couple more lbs to front of trailer. The tongue weight is 2860 lbs.

Sorry so long. So with no wind i am totally good but with 10, may 15 mph it sways? What can be doing this?

[m35a2]

You are towing a ~560 sq ft sail behind you. Wind will be a factor. At 43' length, steering input (whether it's you or the road) is going to be magnified. Try to keep your steering input minimal.

Could the truck be out of alignment? I know it's new but it just takes one pothole. Truck and trailer tire pressure? Lug nuts tight on the trailer?

My camper is only a foot shorter than yours, and I don't notice any sway or problems with semis passing. Pulled across NM through some high sidewind, no problem. Just slowed down to 65.

What's the new tow vehicle? What's it's ccc? I noticed when I bought my new truck that the next trim level up had over 1k less ccc according to the sticker on the door.

I don't think I'd remove any springs. It kinda sounds like your old truck was a better TV.

[ependydad]

I personally wonder about the camper's weight and pin weight percentage. I'd start with weighing it.

http://learntorv.com/how-to-weigh-a-...at-cat-scales/

Between low pin weight and being nose high- I wonder if that has some to do with it.

Though, I'm at 42' and 17% pin weight (overall around 16k trailer) and I only rarely experience sway.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Just trying to keep it simple....next time towing...throw a little more weight up front and see what difference it makes. Had to run mine in for repairs couple weeks ago and didn't realize the wife had taken a lot of stuff out of the trailer. 90% came out of the front and when I took it to dealer the entire characteristics of the trailer had changed and was noticeable.

[MIFarmer]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Though, I'm at 42' and 17% pin weight (overall around 16k trailer) and I only rarely experience sway.

Dually long bed vs srw short. He's got those two things working against him.

[brian372lok]

I have had this issue on both tow vehicles. Both are f350. Old had bags and new doesn't and the height are the same. pin weight is at 20 percent. When I towed with new one with no wind it was a dream. I know I'm srw but people do it all the time with no issues.

[elind]

Are your tires and suspension on the RV good? I just replaced my tires with GY Endurance and 80psi last spring. It keep the sway down better than the original Westlakes that came with the Wildcat.
How are the bushings on your RV suspension? You could have a loose suspension due to worn or broken parts. Something to think about.

[m35a2]

Looking at what the sidewinder is, I think it contributes to the problem as well.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by MIFarmer

Dually long bed vs srw short. He's got those two things working against him.

I agree and we don't know the difference of the stock tires on the new truck either.

[CaptnJohn]

I'm pulling 14,000# and 43' without a problem with a 2016 F350. TV has 80# in rear tires, Sailun tires on 5er and no Sidewinder.

[brian372lok]

Tires on new and old truck were both new , both the same size 20" wheels. The old truck has a little knobbier tire, the new have a stock 20" tire. I guess i left out the trailer is a 2017, as well as the truck. I don't assume i have an issue with anything worn because it is new and probably not 1500 miles on it. I know other do the same tow, with and without the sidewinder. I tried researching and everyone say sidewinder should not affect sway.

[5picker]

Also just want to point out, expectations of never having sway towing a 5th wheel are unjustified.

I've been towing 5'ers for 30 years and some days (depending on conditions) they can make you grip the wheel a little harder and make you say "ooh, I better pay attention here."

[ben31]

Gusty winds will induce some sway. Nothing like a pull-behind (come-along) will give you.

I had a little sway, when I first bought our 5er. However, I've since added a little more weight to the front storage bin and also fill my freshwater tank about a third full (for comfort stops along the way). The sways are now negligible. I don't get any sway from trucks going by. A little push/pull as in different stages as they go by, but nothing like sway. So, take a look at your weights and you can easily use the freshwater tank to try out more weight and sway comparisons. If that works, then rearrange your stuff accordingly.

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by brian372lok

I have had this issue on both tow vehicles. Both are f350. Old had bags and new doesn't and the height are the same. pin weight is at 20 percent. When I towed with new one with no wind it was a dream. I know I'm srw but people do it all the time with no issues.

Look at your tires on the tow vehicle what size and load rating are they?

I changed out my tires and rim package to a heavier tire rating and side wall, the tires I am using are 126R rated. This means that they support a load of 3750 LBS at 80 PSI. I run my tires at 70 PSI to support a load of 3415LBS. The R rating is the speed rating of the tires.

This made a world of difference in towing my two different 5er's. Tires are the weak link on any vehicle when towing.

Get rid of the 20" tires those are useless for towing. They do not have enough side wall stiffness and the load capacity is very minimal. I would look at 18" tires/rims with a stiffer side wall and higher load capacity. Use the 20" tires and rims for your winter tires when you are not towing your trailer.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

Look at your tires on the tow vehicle what size and load rating are they?

Get rid of the 20" tires those are useless for towing. They do not have enough side wall stiffness and the load capacity is very minimal. I would look at 18" tires/rims with a stiffer side wall and higher load capacity. Use the 20" tires and rims for your winter tires when you are not towing your trailer.

I would disagree about the 20 inch tires. Mine are Michelins LT that I have on my truck and work great and granted I no longer have a 5er. Never had sway issues with the 5ers I had but I did have a 3500 DRW tv and that is most likly why I never encountered sway. Later RJD

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

I would disagree about the 20 inch tires. Mine are Michelins LT that I have on my truck and work great and granted I no longer have a 5er. Never had sway issues with the 5ers I had but I did have a 3500 DRW tv and that is most likly why I never encountered sway. Later RJD

At least with the Ram trucks the DRW's still have 17" tires on them the last time I checked. The 20" tires on most trucks are low profile and can't carry anything.

P.S. I am a retired Mechanical Engineer.

[sconnors11]

Others have touched on weight distribution and tire ratings...

Once you do yet a little sway, reach over to the tow brake controller and give the lever a squeeze as you add power. This will generally pull everything straight and put an end to sway.

When you're underway at highway speeds the wind will generally put a drag on the trailer and pull everything straight. At slow speeds, like you're describing, the drag isn't there and it may chuck a bit.

Another question: When was the last time you adjusted brakes and wheel bearings?

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by m35a2

Looking at what the sidewinder is, I think it contributes to the problem as well.

Wrong. Just because it is different, doesn't mean the sidewinder is the problem. Never had sway in either of mine unless I didn't have enough weight up front or the cross wind is over 30mph. And I have a short bed.

[tahoe1840]

Curious, are you traveling with partially filled grey, black, or water tanks? If so the tanks are not baffled and the water shift can also cause sway.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

I would disagree about the 20 inch tires. Mine are Michelins LT that I have on my truck and work great and granted I no longer have a 5er. Never had sway issues with the 5ers I had but I did have a 3500 DRW tv and that is most likly why I never encountered sway. Later RJD

I have the 20" Michelins and have not had a sway problem at all. Keep them at 65 front, 80 rear at all times.