|
|
06-26-2017, 05:07 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 86
|
RW MiniLite and sway?
Anyone out there pull a 25" MiniLite with a Ford Expedition? I have a Blu Ox Sway Pro hitch but still feel like I'm having sway when I shouldn't. Very frustrating ... or I'm just paranoid. . I've checked all the usual causes of sway. Considering a high end hitch like Hensley. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
|
|
|
06-26-2017, 05:16 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,694
|
I have the same hitch but heavier truck and bigger trailer and don't have sway now that I have it adjusted better.
How's the front axle weight or height without trailer and with?
How many free links.
Is the trailer even or slightly nose down?
__________________
2024 Artic Fox 3018 5th Wheel
Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021 - for sale
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW - on order
Prior TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload
|
|
|
06-26-2017, 05:25 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Warwick, RI
Posts: 381
|
I tow a 23' Micro Lite and the best modification I made that gave me the best results was changing the tires on my tow vehicle.
Went to LT series tires and I have never even felt the need to use the anti sway control on my hitch setup.
My truck always pulled the trailer fine, just thought I had a bit to much porpoising(?) and a little much sway/drift when larger trucks went by... plus having a bad case of OCD never helps either.
With the tire change it made all the difference in the world. You will notice a little rougher ride when not towing, but you quickly will forget about it when you feel the much improved ride when towing.
|
|
|
06-26-2017, 05:44 PM
|
#4
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 86
|
Thanks for the replies.
I have checked alignment on truck and trailer. It all seems very level when hitched. Not nose down at all. I don't tend to load up the Expedition too much when we camp . . . so not adding a lot of hitch weight. And the camper isn't much above dry weight of about 4700 lbs. On the Blu Ox hitch, there are 7 "free" links above the slot, which is what the dealer/installer marked for us to use.
Interesting about the LT tires. Never thought about that. I too feel like the Expedition pulls the weight very easily (9000 pound tow capacity!) . . . but I feel the side-to-side sway on highways and in winds. I'm a girl . . . so maybe I'm just a bit easily scared by that . . . although I've talked to "big guys" who also admit to white knuckle driving with sway issues (listen to me gender-typing! . . .
|
|
|
06-26-2017, 06:30 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,834
|
I have a 23' and a 3/4 ton. I had a "light" feeling when my hitch was adjusted per instructions. I lessened by a link, and was happy. Of course, I barely need the weight distribution to begin with. I have no sway hardware of any type.
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 09:05 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brazoria County, Texas
Posts: 1,460
|
Sway is the trailer actually swinging back and forth behind the TV. Many people get that confused with being pushed around (TV and trailer together) by wind, etc.
Assuming what you have is not actually sway, there is not much to be done. A few things that can make it worse or more noticeable are wheelbase (I've pulled similar size combos as you and the shorter wheelbase may add to the feeling), improperly set up WDH, and tire squirm on the rear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MT Biker
With the tire change it made all the difference in the world. You will notice a little rougher ride when not towing, but you quickly will forget about it when you feel the much improved ride when towing.
|
This is also one of the first things I did. At first, I thought the front end felt light and needed to adjust my WDH...found out that the sidewall was just flexing a little under the load. I'm not a big fan of LT tires for a vehicle that only carries weight 10% of the time. I use XL rated tires with about 45 PSI when towing and normal pressure when not. Gets rid of the rough ride for the 90% of the time I'm not towing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LLMRPh
On the Blu Ox hitch, there are 7 "free" links above the slot, which is what the dealer/installer marked for us to use.
|
My recommendation....read the instructions on the hitch then measure and adjust it yourself. I'm willing to bet that 90+% of dealerships don't adjust correctly. It's night and day when it's correct.
__________________
2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ - HD tow package
2017 Rockwood 2703WS Emerald Edition
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 09:30 AM
|
#8
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 86
|
Thanks, raspivey (and others). Goop point about sway vs being pushed around. Hard to tell sometimes. My Expedition already has some Hankook Dynapro ATM tires on it (not OEM). I bought it used. I'm going to bump up tire pressure. And check all WDH settings and weights. If I'm still feeling anxiety on the road after that, I may fork out the $$$ for a Hensley or ProPride hitch.
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 12:39 PM
|
#9
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BRANDON
Posts: 6
|
I pull a MINILITE 2502KS, about 25', with an Expedition with tow package, a Fastway E2 hitch and can't tell that it's back there.
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 02:10 PM
|
#10
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 86
|
Bozo1, did you do any adjusting of anything on the Expy? LT tires? Increased tire pressure in P tires? Disable sway control? Just wondering. Or maybe you are a better TV driver than I am!
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 02:27 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 340
|
Our MiniLite will act funny if we don't have enough tongue weight. I keep about 6 inches of water in the tank and with my tool box and other items under the front storage she drives and handles great with our 2015 Silverado 1500.
Bob
__________________
2013 Rockwood 2504
2015 Silverado 1500 4x4 Z71 Double Cab
Diablo and Lew Custom tuned
Tony & Catnis, campin' kitties
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 02:57 PM
|
#12
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 86
|
I also saw some posts about the Blu Ox Sway Pro. The manual does not say anything about adjusting the sway by tightening the bolts beneath the pivoting sway bar head. But the factory setting is apparently 40 ft lbs. but can be torqued up to 100 to adjust the sway. I am going to check the torque and up it a bit. I probably also need to check the other torque values. Of course, it would take about 2 of me to torque a. Only to 257 ft lb! LOL!
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 03:16 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,694
|
the bolts to adjust are only on the earlier version of the sway pro, mine doesn't have that.
hitch height, bar tension and bar size are the only adjustments on the newer versions.
Edit:
what size bars do you have? what is the tongue weight & trailer weight? Actual, not brochure. how many free links?
__________________
2024 Artic Fox 3018 5th Wheel
Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021 - for sale
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW - on order
Prior TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 03:35 PM
|
#14
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 86
|
Bummer! I was hoping to tighten those sway bars!
I'll check the weights. When I got the trailer and vehicle I checked all that but I'll do it again. I have it set at 7 free links (hanging loose above the slot). It all seems pretty correct. But I will pump up my TV tire pressure quite a bit. I have been keeping them near the 35PSI. But they have max 51 PSI. So I'll try about 41 and see if that helps to start.
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 06:52 PM
|
#15
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BRANDON
Posts: 6
|
Everything is stock, it is a 4 wheel drive with about 115,000 miles. My hitch is weight distribution and anti sway all in one.
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 07:21 PM
|
#16
|
Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,802
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by LLMRPh
It all seems pretty correct. But I will pump up my TV tire pressure quite a bit. I have been keeping them near the 35PSI. But they have max 51 PSI. So I'll try about 41 and see if that helps to start.
|
I'm certainly not an expert on WDHs, but honestly, 35psi when max cold inflation is upwards of 50psi seems very low to me. My TV, TT and WDH are different than yours. But I do run my load range "C" TV tires at 50psi cold without sway or other issues.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 07:26 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brazoria County, Texas
Posts: 1,460
|
That's because whoever owned it prior stuck way too much tire for that vehicle and 50 PSI under normal driving conditions would knock your teeth out.
__________________
2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ - HD tow package
2017 Rockwood 2703WS Emerald Edition
|
|
|
06-27-2017, 09:36 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,055
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by LLMRPh
Thanks, raspivey (and others). Goop point about sway vs being pushed around. Hard to tell sometimes. My Expedition already has some Hankook Dynapro ATM tires on it (not OEM). I bought it used. I'm going to bump up tire pressure. And check all WDH settings and weights. If I'm still feeling anxiety on the road after that, I may fork out the $$$ for a Hensley or ProPride hitch.
|
What is the load range of your tires? My F150 came with Hankook Dynapro ATMs. I have a load range of 113. Load range will be the numbers at the end of the tire size. ie. 275/55R20 113T.
If you have load range 113, there is no increase in weight carrying capacity over the recommended 35 PSI. And, while I have looked, I have not found any official source that recommended inflating them above 35 PSI.
FWIW, I tow with a ProPride and have no issues with sway. Side wind push is similar to what I experience when not towing. Also, while I have seen lots of posts on how hard it is to hitch up with a Hensley or Propride, after I started putting dry lube on the hitch stinger, I have had no issues hitching or unhitching.
__________________
Al
I am starting to think, that I will never be old enough--------to know better.
Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not to offend the imbeciles. Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, Russian Novelist
S.E. Mich. Flagstaff 26FKWS / 2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost SCrew Propride
|
|
|
06-28-2017, 05:08 AM
|
#19
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 86
|
Thanks, SailorSam20500. Those are the same tires on my Expy. Same numbers. They are P tires right? My understanding after reading many posts is that inflating them up a bit might take some of the "float" out of the ride and also help with sway. But I haven't investigated the exact tires.
Why did you decide on the ProPride? I'm deciding between that and the Hensley Swift Cub if I can't fix the sway with my current hitch. I want to be able to pull long distances without needing Ativan for the trip (sorry; pharmacist humor .
|
|
|
06-28-2017, 09:53 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,055
|
Yup, they are P rated. I did try mine at several different pressures and couldn't discern any difference.
I decided on the ProPride for two reasons. Primary was information I found in several threads on the Air Stream owners forum. There are a couple of long threads - one for each of ProPride and Hensley. At one point someone who had one of each did a pictorial comparison of the two. At least when the comparison was made, it looked to me as if the ProPride was better constructed. So that had me significantly leaning to the ProPride.
Then I found out that ProPride was located reasonably close to where I live (30 minute drive one way). So I was able to save about $200 by picking it up rather than having it shipped.
Sealing the deal was Sean, the owner. He answered all my questions sent by e-mail usually within 10 minutes! Including telling me how to correct the error the dealer made when the hitch was installed. Adjustable hitch bar was assembled up-side down! Met Sean when I picked up the hitch - really nice guy.
I understand the humor - my experience with my rig - no Ativan needed by me.
__________________
Al
I am starting to think, that I will never be old enough--------to know better.
Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not to offend the imbeciles. Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, Russian Novelist
S.E. Mich. Flagstaff 26FKWS / 2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost SCrew Propride
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|