TT Sway

[Glaizerman]

I have a 32' Wildcat Rear Kitchen. Pulling it with my 2017 Ram. Hitch has sway bars but still have issues on major highways. I've tried loading more 'stuff' up front, due to the RK, but still have a problem.

[Boomerweps]

Where is your fresh water tank located. If ahead of the axles, try adding some water to increase tongue weight.

[bikendan]

Give some specs on your Ram.

[24_Byron_fan]

You might need to upgrade your hitch if you're using a add-on friction bar. I use the hitch below to tow my 33" Salem Cruise-lite and I've only had a couple issues at highway speeds if hit by a strong gust and even those are fairly minor. I've towed mine a little over 3,000 miles and only had one "Oh crap" moment that was easily solved by activating the trailer brake controller.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Glaizerman]

It's a hemi capable of towing 10,000

[The Evil Twin]

First step would be to get some weights taken. If your truck has the rear coil springs, that could be a contributing factor too.

[Glaizerman]

My hitch looks very similar to yours

[Glaizerman]

yeah it does have coil springs. Would you recommend air bags?

[TitanMike]

If you are having sway issues with a trailer one often overlooked "fixes" is to inflate the Tow Vehicle's rear tires to the max amount printed on the sidewall of the tire.

I keep my rear tires at 41 lbs (44 lbs max on my XL tires) where the manufacturer only recommends 36 lbs. I have NO sway issues even when passed by semi's or in wind.

[rockfordroo]

P tires or LT?

32' is awfully big for a 1500, especially a RAM.

What's your payload and tongue weight? Tow capacity doesn't mean squat if you don't have the payload.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Glaizerman

It's a hemi capable of towing 10,000

Payload capacity is more important than towing capacity.

[thebrakeman]

"hitch has sway bars..."
Can you be more specific? Does that mean you are using 2 friction sway controllers? Or does that mean you have a 2-bar WDH with integrated sway control?
More specific: What WDH system are you using?

[The Evil Twin]

Quick look shows all but Rebel on P metrics. The Rebel is on LT tires. P definitely do not have the sidewall rigidity and coil springs provide a nice ride but they are soft.
Before doing anything, I would first inflate the tires to near max sidewall rating. Then get weighed. Without knowing the weight distribution, it is all a shot in the dark. I know quite a few folks with bags on their 1500 but that was in addition to proper loading and hitch set up.

[CentralMePistol]

The information you provided is incomplete.... It would be helpful to know exactly what kind of truck you are driving and what features it carries. Simply saying "a hemi" and 10,000lbs is dangerous. It leads us to believe you are neglecting things like payload capacity.

For my short answer to try to help you most with the least effort/ cost.

DO NOT GET AIRBAGS. Airbags are not appropriate in this situation. (This is my opinion that is back up with research.) They will only raise your rear end, which actually lowers your front axel weight.

(Listed least expensive to most)
1. Check the level of your rig with weight bars applied. Raise or lower so that it is pulling level.

2. Hit the scales. This will tell you if you are over/under loaded on the tongue.

3. Sumo Springs- these are similar to air bags but work in a different way. They help to stiffen the rear of your truck and hold it steady when the trailer attempts to sway. (Air bags can do this job but must be set up correctly by someone experienced and checked on the scales)

4. E rated tires. These heavier tires have very little side to side roll and will hold your truck firmly in place.


Sway is always a challenge, and determining the correct factor is more likely finding the correct combination of factors. I have done all of the above with my rig. I tow a 32' trailer with a half ton and with these changes it tows wonderfully. It can be done.

Do your research- trial and error- you will find the right adjustments eventually.

[Glaizerman]

2 bar wdh with integration sway control

[mwdilday]

It's either going to be light tongue weight, overloaded trailer, overloaded TV or low tire pressure on TV to TT. A trailer should not sway even without a sway bar if it is set up properly.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by Glaizerman

2 bar wdh with integration sway control

thanks for the incredible amount of detail

[mxtreme30]

Originally Posted by upflying

thanks for the incredible amount of detail

Let me guess the next answer will be "Tires are Goodyear and hold air". Maybe I'm a pessimist, but sounds like a fishing expedition IMHO.