Trailer Swaying

[retcsm]

Hello Fellow RVers,
I have an issue and looking for some help. I have a 2019 Catalina Trail Blazer 29THS Toy Hauler. I pull it with a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi 4x4. We've had this TT for almost 2 months and taken it out 4 times. twice with my HD 2011 Road Glide Ultra, and twice garage was empty. The MC weights about 980 lbs.

We are very happy so far except for trailer swaying. I am white knuckling on all highways. I have followed many U-Tubes on setting up my hitch. I have the difference from empty to full load to 1/4 inch. The hitch is rated at 14,000 and tongue weight to 1,400. I don't drive over 65 and mainly stay at 60.

What can I do to reduce the sway.

[fonzie]

What is your hitch manufacturer and model. It will help members give you feedback. Also if you can post your truck yellow sticker capacity, it will help. see example

[wildcatter]

Does it sway when it is empty? or if the bike is in the back? or both? That will help answer the question. I used to tow a 27HFS with a streetglide in the back with a silverado 1500, it towed better with the bike in it. What a nightmare either way.

[Zoom]

My fresh water tank is in the front half and I usually load approximately 25 gallon to get more tongue weight. That may help but I ended up trading my 2014 RAM 1500 (tow package with 392 gears) for a 2016 F250 diesel. The RAM had plenty of power (5.7) but just wasn't heavy enough for my total camper weight of 10,000 lbs. Made a world of difference. My Ram had only 1390 pounds of payload and I was over weight on both payload and GCWR. I white knuckled the first short trip and traded the RAM. Also the "P" rated tires will allow more sway. BTW I haul two motorcycles with a total weight of 1400 lbs.

[babock]

Weigh your trailer and measure tongue weight with and without the MC. Without those 2 numbers, everything is a guess at this point.

I would invest in a Sherline scale.
https://smile.amazon.com/Sherline-LM...s%2C203&sr=8-3

[rockfordroo]

Toy haulers are typically tail-heavy, which negatively impacts sway. Might want to try putting some water in your FW tank to add some weight to the tongue. Make sure your FW tank is adequately attached first - see this thread for issues.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ks-181592.html

Also see this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2fkOVHAC8Q

[CentralMePistol]

More information on your hitch would help us- help you....

Does your hitch have sway control? What is the make and model of hitch? Have you done any "improvements" to your truck? What kind of tires are you running?

These are the quick questions I have to help diagnose a possible cause. Also, I am going to assume your trailer is level front to back while hauling.

[JohnD10]

Another 'Not enough truck for the load' topic threads...

[polishdon]

Bigger truck, I don't care what the dealer tells you, these big toy haulers shouldn't be pulled by a 1500. 1,200 lbs of tongue weight and your payload is around 1,900, doesn't leave a whole lot of room for you, other passengers, fuel, etc.....

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by babock

Weigh your trailer and measure tongue weight with and without the MC. Without those 2 numbers, everything is a guess at this point.

Agreed. Weigh the setup.

Here's how:
Towing Pin/Tongue Weight Calculator | Learn To RV

Plug the numbers into this once you have them:
Actual Weights - Travel Trailer/Bumper Pull Weights from CAT Scales - Towing Planner

[babock]

Originally Posted by polishdon

your payload is around 1,900

How did you come up with that number?

[retcsm]

Some great comments so far.

My hitch is an Equal-I-zer 14k 4 point sway control. Purchased at camping world.
Also my Ram has a 392 rear end. Rated at 11,300 towing. Will look at adding water to front tank. I was also thinking of a bigger truck.

[babock]

Originally Posted by retcsm

Some great comments so far.

My hitch is an Equal-I-zer 14k 4 point sway control. Purchased at camping world.
Also my Ram has a 392 rear end. Rated at 11,300 towing. Will look at adding water to front tank. I was also thinking of a bigger truck.

Out of curiosity, what does the payload sticker say inside your driver door?

[retcsm]

From what I can see and figure out, payload is 1603 lbs, GVWR 7100, GAWR front 3900, GAWR rear 4100.

[polishdon]

Originally Posted by babock

How did you come up with that number?

Just a quick google search, seems high to me.

[polishdon]

Originally Posted by retcsm

Some great comments so far.

My hitch is an Equal-I-zer 14k 4 point sway control. Purchased at camping world.
Also my Ram has a 392 rear end. Rated at 11,300 towing. Will look at adding water to front tank. I was also thinking of a bigger truck.

I use the same hitch with my 37' toy hauler and a 2500 Diesel, I've never experienced any sway that made me nervous.

[timfromma]

Fill your FW tank to add tongue weight.

[babock]

Originally Posted by polishdon

Just a quick google search, seems high to me.

He came back with 1603. Googling the payload tells you nothing about a particular vehicle. The Payload depends on the suspension of the truck and any options added to a truck. Pretty much every truck of a particular model and year will be different from each other.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by retcsm

Hello Fellow RVers,
I have an issue and looking for some help. I have a 2019 Catalina Trail Blazer 29THS Toy Hauler. I pull it with a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi 4x4. We've had this TT for almost 2 months and taken it out 4 times. twice with my HD 2011 Road Glide Ultra, and twice garage was empty. The MC weights about 980 lbs.

We are very happy so far except for trailer swaying. I am white knuckling on all highways. I have followed many U-Tubes on setting up my hitch. I have the difference from empty to full load to 1/4 inch. The hitch is rated at 14,000 and tongue weight to 1,400. I don't drive over 65 and mainly stay at 60.

What can I do to reduce the sway.

You need to post a lot more info . How's the trailer when hooked up ? nose high , low etc , TW ? loaded weight ? with and with out bike . maybe you have your WD set to distribute to much weight etc . lots of variables

[woo10-210]

You need a diesel. I'm not quite sure why but that's usually the most common answer.