Truck sagging / sway

[sdelano]

Hello.

I tow a Salem 24rlxl with a 2018 Ram 1500. A couple of questions:

1) the truck sags with a full load. Can I put heavy duty coils on the rear-end to overcome the sag?

2) should I engage the “tow load” the entire time I tow? What if the terrain is fairly flat?

3) what is a good sway bar for dependability and yet economical?

Thank you for your help everyone!

[Chuck_S]

What WDH are you using? Good ones like the Equalizer have build in sway control but you still need to check the weight on the ball is in the 10% to 15% of the trailer's total weight.

-- Chuck

[markb5900]

Helper springs or air bags will help with the sag. Check closely that the ones you pick will work with your truck.
As for tow mode, I leave mine on all the time when towing, but I have a GMC and their tow mode may act differently.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by sdelano

Hello.



I tow a Salem 24rlxl with a 2018 Ram 1500. A couple of questions:



1) the truck sags with a full load. Can I put heavy duty coils on the rear-end to overcome the sag?



2) should I engage the “tow load” the entire time I tow? What if the terrain is fairly flat?



3) what is a good sway bar for dependability and yet economical?



Thank you for your help everyone!

Let's start with what the payload capacity of the truck is. It will be on the Tires and Loading sticker on the driver's side door/frame. It'll say "Occupants and cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs". Older Ram 1500s are notorious for low payload capacities.
Now your trailer's loaded tongue weight will be around 750lbs ballpark.
We need to eliminate whether you're over payload capacity, which extra springs won't change.
What WDH are you using?

[sdelano]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is WDH?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by sdelano

Pardon my ignorance, but what is WDH?

Weight Distribution Hitch
Is this your first RV?

[JoePK]

Hello, check out the Timbren bump stops. They are pretty easy to install, and I have them on my trucks in the past.
Timbren DR1500DQ Ses Suspension Enhancement System Kit for 2009-23 Dodge Ram1500

[jjscsix]

Originally Posted by sdelano

Pardon my ignorance, but what is WDH?

Do some homework on them. It’s by far the best thing you can add. Even if you were to change springs or add air shocks or springs it should be after the WDH.

[sdelano]

Aware of a weight distribution hitch. I had not heard of them called WDH. And yes, this is my first RV. Thank you for the information. I’ll get with the local rv dealership and see what WDH they suggest.

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by sdelano

Hello.

I tow a Salem 24rlxl with a 2018 Ram 1500. A couple of questions:

1) the truck sags with a full load. Can I put heavy duty coils on the rear-end to overcome the sag?

2) should I engage the “tow load” the entire time I tow? What if the terrain is fairly flat?

3) what is a good sway bar for dependability and yet economical?

Thank you for your help everyone!

If you do not have one, you most likely need to use a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH). This will distribute the tongue weight better between the front wheels of the truck and the wheels of the trailer. Thus reducing the rear-end sag of the tow vehicle.

You need to determine the towing capacity of the truck. The gross cargo weight of the truck along with the tongue weight of the trailer and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVRW) of the trailer. Adding heavy-duty coils will not change the towing capacity of the truck.

And yes, we always use the TOW mode when towing our trailer. It has the advantages of changing the engine braking ability, it changes the alternator charger routine, along with changes in the torque converter lock-up speed.

As a rule, one should not exceed the cargo weight rating of the truck. Be sure to consider the trailer tongue weight as part of the truck cargo weight. The tongue weight should be between 10% and 15% of the trailer GVRW. Don't bother to use the Empty Weight of the trailer as it hasn't been empty since it left the factory.

We tow with a hitch obtained from Harbor Freight plus an added sway bar. Not the highest-rated hitch, but not the most expensive either. Seems everyone has their preference for WDH brands and types, just like everyone has their favorite flavor of ice cream.

Frankly, I'm a bit skeptical of RV dealer recommendations. Their primary job is to separate you from some of your money. I find it better to do a lot of reading on hitches and towing configurations. Also, there is a lot of good information available here on this site. Although sorting through some of it is much like sorting through comb cells in a bee hive.

I've always said there are two types of folks; (a) those who know what they are doing, and (b) those who think they know what they are doing. Group (a) is the better choice to obtain advice. How does one find a group (a) person? Dang if I know.

Bob

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by sdelano

Aware of a weight distribution hitch. I had not heard of them called WDH. And yes, this is my first RV. Thank you for the information. I’ll get with the local rv dealership and see what WDH they suggest.

Surprised that the dealer let you leave without a WDH.
Pulling a 29ft TT without a WDH, with a coil sprung Ram 1/2 ton, it's no wonder that you've got issues

[Aussieguy]

when you connect your trailer do you have a couple of long square bars
that run from the truck ball area towards the trailer
The bars typically will have a chain on the trailer end OR the bars will sit on top of some L brackets...
Pictures ---> https://www.google.com/search?client...&bih=891&dpr=1


I use the Equalizer ... with bars and L brackets ... power jack raises the trailer up to help put the bars in place

With coil springs ... watch the front of the truck does it go UP a lot
does the steering feel all loose.and vague

have someone help you set it up correctly and go through the procedures on how to fine tune adjust it ...

Make sure you load the trailer and the truck the same way ... until you are more comfortable using a WDH

-----------------------------------------------------------------
I add about 10 pounds more air to my rear tires on the truck while towing

If your Dodge has rear coils look for an air spring to make the truck more level...
BUT the air spring is/will NOT fix weight distribution and light steering problems .

setup weight distribution FIRST then use air spring to make truck more level if you need to

Pictures ---> https://www.google.com/search?q=2018...=firefox-b-1-d


I don't have a air spring and my Yukon it tows at 60 -65 mph and is stable
I did have my steering and front suspension (ball joints) replaced due to age and being sloppy
-------------------------------------------------------
Tow mode in the truck.... Listen to your truck it will tell you if you need to turn it on/off ... If it shifts up/down every few minutes drop your speed a little or try the tow mode
I try and keep my tow mode OFF to get the best gas mileage

[Aussieguy]

Originally Posted by sdelano

Aware of a weight distribution hitch. I had not heard of them called WDH. And yes, this is my first RV. Thank you for the information. I’ll get with the local rv dealership and see what WDH they suggest.

You can shop around... any trailer place or some Uhaul places can fit a

hitch for you.


https://www.google.com/search?q=jopl...-wiz-serp#ip=1

[Littleearn]

Originally Posted by sdelano

Hello.



I tow a Salem 24rlxl with a 2018 Ram 1500. A couple of questions:



1) the truck sags with a full load. Can I put heavy duty coils on the rear-end to overcome the sag?



2) should I engage the “tow load” the entire time I tow? What if the terrain is fairly flat?



3) what is a good sway bar for dependability and yet economical?



Thank you for your help everyone!

Before upgrading to a ram 2500 I towed with a 2015 ram 1500. Never had any issues towing a Rockwood 2614bs but was extremely close to maxing out payload. I did add airbags to truck to help with the sag. Worked great but remember airbags don’t add to payload capacity.

[jannjim]

I would research WDH before trusting the dealerships opinion. I have had an Equalizer with a 32' bumper pull on a 3/4 ton and was very pleased with it, I think it handled as well as my 5th wheel does now. All weight distribution hitches do NOT also control sway, so take your time doing your research.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by sdelano

Aware of a weight distribution hitch. I had not heard of them called WDH. And yes, this is my first RV. Thank you for the information. I’ll get with the local rv dealership and see what WDH they suggest.

Do your own research. Your dealership will recommend the brand they get the most profit from.
Lots of threads on this and other forums debating what is the "best" WDH. You need to determine what benefits make the most sense to you:
Best at controlling sway, price, weight, learning curve to use, safety factor while hitching/unhitching, how much towing are you going to do, the list goes on.
I've towed my 29' trailer with a F150 over 35,000 miles. The "best" hitch for me is a Propride.

[Brother Les]

I have had a set of Timbrens on my truck for over 150,000 miles. You need a WDHsystem when pulling your RV. Timbrens will enhance at all times, pulling or in overall general use. no squat, no side to side 'roll'.

[sdelano]

Thank you everyone for your input and information! I have some studying to do.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by sdelano

Thank you everyone for your input and information! I have some studying to do.

Just want to confirm that you bought the trailer from a dealer and they didn't suggest that you install a WDH and you've been towing the trailer without one.?

[sdelano]

I did buy it from a dealer and they suggested that IF I have an issue, I might want to look into a weight distribution hitch. Obviously it seems it probably should have been mandatory but I didn’t know that at that time.