Coach sways with bike in garage

[LairdT]

Ok - the Harley weighs 850, the water tank holds 100 gallons (8.343 lbs per gallon) makes for a balanced load. We pulled the trailer about 700 miles in October without the Mcycle. No sway problems at all. I have considered that changing the hitch may be part of the solution, but I stopped at a dealership in Phoenix who told me that upgrading my current Equalizer hitch from a 10k lbs to 12k lbs rating would add to the problem. Not much help. I am going to relocate the bike to the middle of the garage but am still disappointed in a trailer design that really would be unusable with TWO cycles instead of the ONE I now struggle with.

[LairdT]

I am intrigued with finding out more about the Pro Pride or Hensley brand hitches. What makes them different from the Equalizer I currently use?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by LairdT

I am intrigued with finding out more about the Pro Pride or Hensley brand hitches. What makes them different from the Equalizer I currently use?

PRICE!

[ependydad]

LairdT, the people that are recommending that you switch hitches are saying to go with a special hitch like the Hensley or Pro Ride over a standard WDH.

On edit: I see that you've figured this out already.

The difference is that they bill themselves as sway eliminating due to their unique design. (If you believe their marketing and user testimonials.)

[Mark S]

I don't think relocating the bike to the center will affect the sway issue. If it is swaying because the tongue weight is too light it doesn't matter where you place the bike as it will still affect the tongue weight the same.

Are you using a WDH? What if you try reduce the amount of weight you are distributing it? Set your bars to their lowest setting.

Out of curiosity, how fast are you traveling when the sway starts?

And as I said earlier, I added a second cheap friction sway bar and was really impressed with the improvement. I would spend the $40 before I start making more expensive changes. Just my $0.02.

[taken]

Originally Posted by LairdT

I am intrigued with finding out more about the Pro Pride or Hensley brand hitches. What makes them different from the Equalizer I currently use?

Apples and oranges really. I used an Equalizer E4 with great success in the past but it was with a nose heavy TT that wasn't sway prone. In theory, the PP and Hensley use the term pivot point projection that is supposed to move the tongue weight forward over the rear axle making the rv trailer more like a 5th wheel. Whether I believe that or dismiss it as fancy marketing, one thing is for sure. I have never read a post about someone regretting buying one of the two. They do indeed function as advertised. That said, if it was me, I'd go with the PP. Same exact hitch but from a company with a much greater sense of integrity.

Like I said earlier though, loading the garage will always add a measure of sway to the rig. My last 5th toyhauler towed like an arrow with the garage empty. OK with one motorcycle or ATV in the garage. And would keep you on your toes with two back there. (2000#)

[wbdavey]

It might be informative to get side to side weights for your trailer with the Harley loaded. On one hand, the Harley is opposite the kitchen and associated heavy stuff. But it's also on the same side as the big slide out. I'm wondering if the Harley makes the road side dramatically heavier than the curb side?

[OldCoot]

With spring suspension, I would also consider installing some 50-50 shocks.

[rockfordroo]

Is it possible to move the axles back toward the rear??

[FandRChambers]

I had an xlr 27hfs and it did the same thing when I had my golf cart and bike in the rear. When I filled my fresh water tank, it took the sway away for me.

[egladden]

I have a 29hfs and I haul two bikes a street glide and a sportster I have them as far forward in the garage as possible and close to the middle and I use two of the harbor freight chocks. Then I move any coolers or other stuff to the center of the TT. I have dual batteries on the front two 20 pound propane tanks full and a storage box for all of my sewer hose on the tongue plus half a tank of clean water. I pull with a 3/4 ton V10 ford and use a Blue Ox WDH and have no problem with sway at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[rocrider50]

Well I finally go tired of resetting my hitch every time I pulled my trailer empty, full (two 900lb Harleys in the garage), wind, rain, water in tank and water out, etc.... Every combination require hitch adjustments to avoid major trailer sway. Even with the adjustments sway would begin between 55mph and 70mph and drop 10 mph due to rain and/or wind, small car passing, etc. Short of buying a F350 dully I finally bought a Hensley hitch. I looked at Propride and Hensley and chose Hensley because they were 50 miles from my house. I go tomorrow to have it installed at the factory and drop $2500. Anyone have advice before I drop the $2500 on the final solution? Hensley claims it will stop the sway (so does Propride). If so it's worth the $2500 if I can pull without issue.

[Campingnut]

You will have no regrets

[rocrider50]

Well I did it, drove there empty, barely able to do 60 mph dancing in the wind and the passing of trucks, both hands white knuckled on the wheel. 2 hours later Dennis at Hensley had it installed, I hooked it up (it can be done with a little knowledge) and away we went. A few miles on the highway and I was one handing it drinking my coffee. My wife mentioned that I was much more relaxed and doing 80 mph. I slowed down of course and enjoyed the rest of the ride. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. Next stop was used trailer land if it wasn't fixed. Amazing what piece of mind $2500 will buy you.

[Campingnut]

I Hate to Say I told you so lol...

DW doesn't let me so I thought I would try it here.

[WolfWhistle]

How hard is it...RR... To backup and align the stinger into your hitch (sounds kinky but how else can it be asked?)

[Big Red and 30WR]

I know year ago Hensley had a period like 30 or 60 days to try the hitch. Money back if you didn't like it. 2500 is a lot to pay if you don`t like it or doesn`t help your problem.

[rocrider50]

Hooking up was pretty easy with my back up camera. We'll see after I do it a few more times but it seems OK. Different than a ball hitch but close enough that I'm not struggling with it. Hensley sells a neat little screw jack that you replace the foot of your tongue jack with to move tongue side to side to help alignment, works well and is only $30. Don't think I will be returning it, towing is amazingly smooth verses a ball hitch. Wouldn't have thought it could make such a difference.

[WolfWhistle]

Thanks for the good report

[oldgold]

Originally Posted by LairdT

Ok - the Harley weighs 850, the water tank holds 100 gallons (8.343 lbs per gallon) makes for a balanced load. We pulled the trailer about 700 miles in October without the Mcycle. No sway problems at all. I have considered that changing the hitch may be part of the solution, but I stopped at a dealership in Phoenix who told me that upgrading my current Equalizer hitch from a 10k lbs to 12k lbs rating would add to the problem. Not much help. I am going to relocate the bike to the middle of the garage but am still disappointed in a trailer design that really would be unusable with TWO cycles instead of the ONE I now struggle with.

LairdT,
How did this turn out? All you do is add water when hauling your bike?

We have the 30fqsl as well. I'm having a hard time with the idea of not enough tongue weight with this model. Ours actually towed better once I put our 4 wheeler and 2 packed yeti coolers in the back. Whether ours has nothing in the back or it is slap full, our trailer hasn't swayed yet, thankfully. It towed so well I actually quit using the friction bar. We do have an Onan and 30# tanks up front along with random stuff in the storage hatch on the curb side. Still just trying to wrap my brain around it not having enough tongue weight.

This is a pic the day I brought it home. It made my old F250 squat pretty good.



Just curious..