Truck Rear End Sway While Towing

[Restcure]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

JD, the truck bed is moving, OP said nothing of trailer sway. This is a truck problem, not a hitch problem.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

After re-reading it I see you're right. I agree that if the wiggle originates with the truck, no hitch is going to make it go away. If the trailer is causing it, that's a different story.

[Highway]

I have installed Timbren axle stops on the last three trucks/RV's I have owned. A Dodge D250, Ford F150, and a Forest River Mercedes Sprinter Solaris. They extend the normal axle stop clear to the axle which limits the amount of travel before the chassis can sway before it hits the axle. They have made a huge difference in handling...Highly recommended. There is a good visual of it at this site...

Timbren Suspension Enhancement System - TruckSpring.com

Hope this helps...


Marty, Carla, Gabby and our ankle biter Rocky
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn 4x4 Hemi 5.7
Forest River Wildwood 30KQBSS[/QUOTE]

[ov845]

I would be curious to see what the CAT Scales say. I had similar rear end sway, installed air bags and readjusted weight on the trailer, now it's gone.


Happy Camping!

2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 5'7" Bed
4 X 4 Engine 5.7L Hemi Gear 3.92
Airlift 1000
2015 2809W Windjammer (Diamond Package)
Husky Centerline WDH

[SilverArrowPro]

My Pops had that issue with his 1500 Ram and installed airbags to balance weight and upgraded to D rated LT tires. He had no further issues.

[CaptnJohn]

No hitch is going to eliminate a truck suspension/tire problem. Once done a properly set Equalizer 4 point is all that is needed unless he has extra cash to throw away.

[GaryHowe]

You might want to try a Hellwig rear anti-sway bar. I installed one on my F150, and it made the truck much more stable.

[rlocicero]

I have discoverer HT3 Load range E 10 ply on my 2014 F150 and TowMax Load range E 10 ply on my 829FKSS. No sway problems. I actually swpaaed tires from my 2011 F150 to the new truck and gave the dealer the P rated mushballs. I won't tow with P rated tires.

[Stormrider151]

I had the same issue with my F150. It wasn't really a sway but better describe as a wiggle. Ditched the P's and put LT E's on it and run them at 65 psi. Problem solved.

[eyeguy1]

Thanks everyone


Marty, Carla, Gabby and our ankle biters Rocky and Addy
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn 4x4 Hemi 5.7
Forest River Wildwood 30KQBSS

[sunnyinfla]

Do you have a 6.5 bed or an 8 foot ,the longer the wheelbase the less sway you will get ,and the hensley hitch will help...

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by sunnyinfla

Do you have a 6.5 bed or an 8 foot ,the longer the wheelbase the less sway you will get ,and the hensley hitch will help...

At this point, the OP has no choice, he has whatever length bed he has. Didn't read anywhere that he was contemplating a 6.5' or 8' bed.

[eyeguy1]

I have the 6.5 bed. The coopers did very well on my 07 Ram with my equalizer hitch.
The only difference is the 11 ram has coil spring rear suspension.
IMO that is where the problem arises. But my opinion is often wrong. That is why I can here.
If the Coopers worked fine on the 07 then I would think the same performance would be on the 11.
I don't see the need to by new tires or hitch since they worked fine on the 07. It seems that I am getting the lateral movement from the coils.
I you guys opinion would the air bags work to stiffen the rear up?


Marty, Carla, Gabby and our ankle biters Rocky and Addy
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn 4x4 Hemi 5.7
Forest River Wildwood 30KQBSS

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by eyeguy1

I have the 6.5 bed. The coopers did very well on my 07 Ram with my equalizer hitch.
The only difference is the 11 ram has coil spring rear suspension.
IMO that is where the problem arises. But my opinion is often wrong. That is why I can here.
If the Coopers worked fine on the 07 then I would think the same performance would be on the 11.
I don't see the need to by new tires or hitch since they worked fine on the 07. It seems that I am getting the lateral movement from the coils.
I you guys opinion would the air bags work to stiffen the rear up?

Do you have a sway bar on the 11? I would also check ALL bushings and bolts on the trailing arms for wear/deterioration as well as the hitch bolts holding the hitch to the frame.

[guyster]

Bag it. Those coils on the rear are for a mushy cushy ride. When you hook your trailer up that mushy cushy ride turns into what you are experiencing. E rated tires are very important to the mix.

[eyeguy1]

Yes it has both front and rear seat bars. All bolts are tight. Tires are cooper discoverer ht plus xl tires
Bags should arrive this am. Hope to have them on this pm


Marty, Carla, Gabby and our ankle biters Rocky and Addy
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn 4x4 Hemi 5.7
Forest River Wildwood 30KQBSS

[emm-dee]

Not sure how much sway reduction the bags provide while towing because I had the bags before I got the TT. But, I did see a remarkable improvement in handling of the truck when I put the bags in. They are cheap (well under way $100) and money well spent.

My truck came with a rear sway bar and two shops told me I wouldn't see any improvement by changing to a heavier bar. Nice to know there are honest shops that will tell you not to spend money with them.

FWIW, I talked directly to Equal-I-Zer, Blue Ox and Camco (Eaz-lift) and all three said to be sure the bags were fully inflated (35 psi for mine) BEFORE doing the hitch setup.

[eyeguy1]

Thanks emm dee


Marty, Carla, Gabby and our ankle biters Rocky and Addy
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn 4x4 Hemi 5.7
Forest River Wildwood 30KQBSS

[GeeTee]

So i`m happy to have come across this post. I have towed an older TT with a fair amount of success (ie, i didn't total it) - this was on a 3000mile round trip to FL. Anycase, i installed the Firestone Ride Rite air suspension, it made a huge difference to the mushy ride. TT was 26ft, 6800lbs loaded more or less. I now have a 28DBUD and gross weight should be the same. To woed her home yesterday empty, and yes, there was some cross wind - the wiggle is definitely present and feel it more now than before because the trailer is slighlty longer and definately taller. TV is a 2014 F150 Ecoboost. I also have P rated tyres, never heard of anyone saying that having P rated tyres could be the reason why i have that wiggle when going past trucks and in cross winds. I have a sway control bar, not the fancy ones but i have one.

I`m sitting here reading this and thinking i need to get new tires - HT rates. Are the Cooper Discoverers HT PLus sufficient or is there another brand that is preferred or recommended?

Thanks for listening

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by GeeTee

So i`m happy to have come across this post. I have towed an older TT with a fair amount of success (ie, i didn't total it) - this was on a 3000mile round trip to FL. Anycase, i installed the Firestone Ride Rite air suspension, it made a huge difference to the mushy ride. TT was 26ft, 6800lbs loaded more or less. I now have a 28DBUD and gross weight should be the same. To woed her home yesterday empty, and yes, there was some cross wind - the wiggle is definitely present and feel it more now than before because the trailer is slighlty longer and definately taller. TV is a 2014 F150 Ecoboost. I also have P rated tyres, never heard of anyone saying that having P rated tyres could be the reason why i have that wiggle when going past trucks and in cross winds. I have a sway control bar, not the fancy ones but i have one.

I`m sitting here reading this and thinking i need to get new tires - HT rates. Are the Cooper Discoverers HT PLus sufficient or is there another brand that is preferred or recommended?

Thanks for listening

No one should tow with P rated tires ~ P for Passenger. Too little sidewall strength and too low a load rating. I have heard people say they like Cooper but have not run them myself in decades. Check the axel weights on the side of your TT and your tire dealer will set you up with the load rating you need ~~ go 1 higher if you can as a margin. I'd never tow a light trailer without at least D rated, currently E on my truck as they are OEM. Max pressure as marked on the sidewall even on P will help.

[eyeguy1]

Originally Posted by GeeTee

So i`m happy to have come across this post. I have towed an older TT with a fair amount of success (ie, i didn't total it) - this was on a 3000mile round trip to FL. Anycase, i installed the Firestone Ride Rite air suspension, it made a huge difference to the mushy ride. TT was 26ft, 6800lbs loaded more or less. I now have a 28DBUD and gross weight should be the same. To woed her home yesterday empty, and yes, there was some cross wind - the wiggle is definitely present and feel it more now than before because the trailer is slighlty longer and definately taller. TV is a 2014 F150 Ecoboost. I also have P rated tyres, never heard of anyone saying that having P rated tyres could be the reason why i have that wiggle when going past trucks and in cross winds. I have a sway control bar, not the fancy ones but i have one.

I`m sitting here reading this and thinking i need to get new tires - HT rates. Are the Cooper Discoverers HT PLus sufficient or is there another brand that is preferred or recommended?

Thanks for listening

CaptnJohn

I have Cooper Discoverer HT Plus on or 2011 Ram 5.7 Hemi 4x4 Big Horn. I took them off my 2007 which was basically the same vehicle when we traded.
On the 07 they worked great. No sway or wiggle. Max pressure is 50psi. I always ran about 45psi when towing to allow for the air expansion when they heated up a bit and was about perfect.
We pulled from Indiana to Orlando Florida about 2 months ago. 2000 mile trip with the 07 and ran about 70mph the entire way. No sway or wiggle unless the dreaded semi passed us and got a little push and pull.
Since we got the 11 model I have some rear vehicle wiggle now. Since the set up and trucks are basically identical I am blaming it on the coil spring rear suspension on the 11 (the 07 had leaf springs).
I have air lift 1000 air bags I am installing today or tomorrow. From research and talking with airlift, equalizer, dealership and other towers, this should tighten up the springs somewhat and reduce the "flex" in them. We will see?
We/I pull a Wildwood 30KQBSS which is 7000lbs dry and 980lbs tongue weight. That's not including the wife loading up the kitchen sink, 3 weeks worth of clothes for a weekend or her wanting to take landscape blocks to "pretty up the campsite". Lol just joking.


Marty, Carla, Gabby and our ankle biters Rocky and Addy
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn 4x4 Hemi 5.7
Forest River Wildwood 30KQBSS