Coach sways with bike in garage

[LairdT]

[Old Gold---
What I discovered was the selling dealer had installed a 10,000 lb rated anti sway hitch. A dealer in Florida upgraded us to a 14K lbs hitch and the rig behaved nicely all the way home to Montana. It made sense - the trailer weighs approx 9700 lbs empty. Add in a large motorcycle, groceries, water etc and the 10K Equalizer just wasn't up to the task. Also, check your hitch install directions or post for info on this site - Your Tow Vehicle should not "Squat" - the Hitch should be transferring weight back toward the front of the TV. Squatting made our rear tires wear prematurely- 3 thousand miles to Florida and you could see the wear. Our 2nd Equalizer came with directions on adjusting it and the 2nd dealer spent far more time setting it up properly. I even crossed Wyoming in a wind storm with minimal sway.
PS - nice looking rig! We really like our XLR - roomy -not too heavy - can haul the grandkids along.... Hope this helps.

[oldgold]

I just got a new truck and have only hooked up once to the new truck. It didn't squat near as bad, but it still goes down about 3". What's the max "squat" distance I need to stay above? How far does yours typically go down? We just switched to the XLR this past winter. Was originally pulling a 21ft ultra light and it really didn't matter with that TT. I couldn't hardly tell that one was back there. You can definitely tell all 37ft of the XLR is back there. It was slightly unnerving when I left the dealership. After a couple dry runs towing it became significantly less stressful. I am still waiting on my awning and roof repairs to be made after the squall we were in July 4th. After joining this site I have been chomping at the bit to get it back and start changing it up with what I have seen here. STARTING WITH THE GREY WATER DUMP CABLE!!!

[oldgold]

Here's another angle with the old truck. Too much squat? We have the chains on the 3rd link. The only way I can get it to that link is to pick up the truck with the tongue jack a couple inches.

[WolfWhistle]

I have the 29hfs and a Ram 2500 Reese dual-cam w/1200# bars. I don't look at squat. I really only care about the front. With the bike (960# TW) the rear "squats" 2-1/2"... front lifts 1-1/2". With 4 links hanging, I "get back" 1" in front... Heavy braking on slick pavement can cause the front tires to slide first. but, with 5 links hanging the front is perfect and now the front end tendency to slide first is gone. Heavy acceleration can spin, which I can live with. I realize how many links hanging is relative and unique. The Reese is picky. No bike loaded changes things... with no bike TW is 1200+#... I let 5 links hang all the times, every time.

[R3Jones]

Originally Posted by oldgold

Here's another angle with the old truck. Too much squat? We have the chains on the 3rd link. The only way I can get it to that link is to pick up the truck with the tongue jack a couple inches.


Attachment 84072

I've installed airbags. It's an easy install and relatively small cost. It made a huge difference in ride quality and really takes the stress off the suspension. I would recommend these to anyone. Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/57215-LoadLift.../dp/B00017YYIG


-R.Jones
Nitro 31FQSL

[oldgold]

Was thinking about airbags. I was up thinking about this last night and ended up looking up the manual for our hitch. It says that the vehicle should only squat an inch. Camping World set us up and I assumed they did it right. So much for assuming... Once I get the trailer back from the roof repairs I'm going to try going to the 4th link and see if that helps. At least they did give me a 14k hitch. The manual also said that the airbags should only be used to level out a load in the bed of the TV and not for leveling the tongue weight. I'm not quite getting this one. It's helping level out both.

[breezyhillfarm]

I finally got tired of worrying about weight and got a Ford 450 dually diesel crew cab. I could conceivably sit my 27HFS on the bed and go. It doesn't even know it's back there. I still use the WDH. not for everyone but a viable solution.

[WolfWhistle]

With your WDH. Make it so the front end lift is nullified.

I don't want to start a debate... but.... air bags don't lessen the weight on the RV rear axle nor does it add weight the the front axle, nor does it increase the ability (ratings and limits , etc) of the TV. It only levels the TV by augmenting the rear axle spring's.

If you can't level it with WDH you don't have "enough" WDH.

WDH (IMO), should be properly set up first... Then add air pressure to the bags, if you have them... and if you "need" them.

Typically, air bags are a kind of stop gap. I say all that; but wish my FR brothers and sisters only safe travels of those who choose this route.

Get it weighed, and it you are over, only you can decide what works for you and how far you are willing to push the envelope.

[breezyhillfarm]

I finally got tired of worrying about weight and got a Ford 450 dually diesel crew cab. I could conceivably sit my 27HFS on the bed and go. It doesn't even know it's back there when I'm towing. I still use the WDH. Not for everyone but a viable solution.

[Homebrew]

Originally Posted by breezyhillfarm

I finally got tired of worrying about weight and got a Ford 450 dually diesel crew cab. I could conceivably sit my 27HFS on the bed and go. It doesn't even know it's back there when I'm towing. I still use the WDH. Not for everyone but a viable solution.

Why not a F350 Dually ?


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[breezyhillfarm]

The F450 was a 2006 and on the lot. So we took it! No regrets. The Lariat package is very nice.

[oldgold]

Originally Posted by breezyhillfarm

The F450 was a 2006 and on the lot. So we took it! No regrets. The Lariat package is very nice.

How much is an oil change in that joker?

[breezyhillfarm]

$125. But only every 7500 miles. That's two years for me right now. But I'll do it every Spring regardless. I do that myself. Don't even need to jack it up.

[breezyhillfarm]

Originally Posted by breezyhillfarm

$125. But only every 7500 miles. That's two years for me right now. But I'll do it every Spring regardless. I do that myself. Don't even need to jack it up.