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Old 10-27-2016, 07:31 PM   #1
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Too Much Sway When Towing

I am having a problem with trailer sway. I have a 2016 F150, 3.5 eco boost with a tow package. I'm towing a 2015 Rockwood Mini Lite 2109s. I have a Blue Ox anti sway hitch which I have adjusted at different elevations. I have also tightened the tension on the hitch bars. I am experiencing sway at 55 mph and above. I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Old 10-27-2016, 07:34 PM   #2
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Sounds to me like your weight distribution is off...... Too light on the tongue and too heavy in the backend.
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Old 10-27-2016, 07:43 PM   #3
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Too Much Sway When Towing

Previously, I towed my trailer with a 2014 1500 Ram and had no sway issues.
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Old 10-27-2016, 07:51 PM   #4
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The Ford will have stronger suspension than the soft sprung Ram.
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Old 10-27-2016, 07:56 PM   #5
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Are both vehicles level when hitched? Are you carrying any water in the tanks? You could have a multitude of issues. Best thing is to go to CAT Scales a weigh it. Weight rig as if ready to camp with people, dogs and gear or whatever you camp with. Weigh the truck and camper with Blue Ox engaged, then disconnect BO spring bars and weigh again. Finally weigh only the truck. You will want the the front axle of truck to weigh the same or close as possible between the first weigh and last weigh. See if that helps but check back here with results.
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Old 10-27-2016, 08:11 PM   #6
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Also Passenger tires VS Light Truck tires. The biggest way to fix sway! Stiff tires. You can test by pumping up to max manufacturer pressure, id stock tires are on this might be 44 psi.
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Old 10-27-2016, 08:20 PM   #7
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Too Much Sway When Towing

Add some tongue weight if possible and/or just for drill, try turning off the built in sway control Ford has. Some folks, me included find the blue Ox sway pro may fight against the brake controlled Ford sway control making it worse.
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Old 10-27-2016, 08:32 PM   #8
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When you say you have tow package do, you mean max tow. I would suggest putting E rated tires on the truck and installing Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS.)
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Old 10-27-2016, 08:38 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by rspeechteach View Post
Previously, I towed my trailer with a 2014 1500 Ram and had no sway issues.
Take it down to the Speedway on Alexis Road at Hagman (by the landfill across from Meijers) and weigh it. Thats a split platform scale.

I don't live far from you, I'm over in Petersburg.

I bet you are light on the tongue.
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Old 10-27-2016, 10:03 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by rspeechteach View Post
I am having a problem with trailer sway. I have a 2016 F150, 3.5 eco boost with a tow package. I'm towing a 2015 Rockwood Mini Lite 2109s. I have a Blue Ox anti sway hitch which I have adjusted at different elevations. I have also tightened the tension on the hitch bars. I am experiencing sway at 55 mph and above. I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I have the same truck SCREW 3.55 and tow a 282RK Hemisphere. Had issue with sway at first until I made some adjustments to my WDH, inflated tires to reduce sidewall flex and added a set of Supersprings to beef up rear end and to reduce truck sway. Seems like these trucks are a little light in the rear and need a little extra help to add control.
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Old 10-28-2016, 12:54 AM   #11
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Simple way to add weight is fill your portable grey tank half full or full and place it just inside the tail gate until you get the sway resolved.
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Old 10-28-2016, 03:36 AM   #12
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See if you have a sway bar on the back and if not add a hell wig and it will help alot.
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Old 10-28-2016, 07:50 AM   #13
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See if you have a sway bar on the back and if not add a hell wig and it will help alot.
No these trucks do not have rear sway bars and that seems to be the issue when towing. I went with the Supersprings instead of the Hellwig sway bar because I also needed help with rear end sag but yes they do need it. Also make sure to put some weight in truck bed when towing of course without exceeding payload. I have actually done this with this truck and it makes the difference of towing white knuckle to towing comfortably.
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Old 10-28-2016, 09:30 AM   #14
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Too Much Sway When Towing

Thanks for everyone's input. It appears the light weight of the truck and the factory truck tires may be the issue.
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Old 10-28-2016, 12:19 PM   #15
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Also Passenger tires VS Light Truck tires. The biggest way to fix sway! Stiff tires. You can test by pumping up to max manufacturer pressure, id stock tires are on this might be 44 psi.
X2, I had the same problem with my Tacoma pulling my TT Zinger, until I replaced the VS tires for Light truck tires.
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Old 10-28-2016, 01:54 PM   #16
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To much sway

I had a 2014 f150 I tow a rock wood that was 34 foot long using the equalizer hitch never had a problem with sway. I do have the max tow ecobost.
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Old 10-28-2016, 02:10 PM   #17
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Too Much Sway When Towing

I had a 2013 F150 twin screw with the max tow and had no problem, I now have a 2016 twin screw with the max tow and have sway problems. If you look at your rear springs, they took leafs out when they lightened these trucks so I assume to get a better ride. I'm going to add helper springs or air bags on this one.
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Old 10-28-2016, 02:20 PM   #18
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I pull a Windjammer 3029W with an F150 using an Equil-i-zer hitch. Trailer weight is approx. 8500 lbs. Experience minimum sway (if at all) driving 60-62mph.
Definitely sounds like your weight distribution is off.
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Old 10-28-2016, 07:36 PM   #19
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I tow a 26 foot Rockwood 2604WS with a 2014 F-150 ecoboost screw. I am right up at the top of the weight box and always thought a 2109S would be a piece of cake to tow. I find that I get some sway depending on who is passing me and how fast I am going. Keep it in the 60 MPH range and it is not too bad. Go faster and it gets a bit more noticeable.

I do run the truck and trailer tires are their max sidewall rated pressure. Have to put air in the truck tires every time I have it services as Ford runs a lot lower pressure than that.

My theory... Ford does aim for a comfortable ride on their trucks. Sells more trucks that way. So they put softer springs in them which are great for empty trucks (which most are) but not so good for loaded trucks. This is especially true with the more completely optioned trucks like my FX4. After reading and researching and considering I just put a set of Firestone Ride Rite air bags under mine. The keys here for me is I can adjust the spring rate this way and stiffen it up when loaded/towing and these mount on the outside of the frame thereby providing maximum anti-roll benefit. The other brand air bags mounted inside and thus would not help with truck body lean as much.

I have not yet towed with the air bags so I cannot report if they are a miracle cure or something less. But I did read many positive reports on air bags for towing.
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Old 10-28-2016, 08:36 PM   #20
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My Tundra doesn't need a weight distributing hitch or sway control & it has passenger tires vs. truck tires. Maybe Rockwood has changed the design enough since 2013 & as others have suggested the 2109S is a little light on the hitch.

Using truck tires vs, passenger tires makes sense to me but it has no impact on sway control with my Tundra. I just gave my truck a pedicure & a manicure with Goodyear (P275/65R18 114T) passenger tires & it tows well.
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