Need to improve my tow rig.

[SGBARRACUDA]

I just return from my shake down trip with my new Toy hauler. I have a 07 Dodge 4x4 CTD SRW Quad cab short bed with the 48re trans 3. 73 gears and 18x9 DC-1 mags and 285 x75x 18 BFG AT tires. The trailer is a tag 30 WR work and play by Forest River which measures 35. 8' from ball mount to tail gate. Trailer weight is 8100 lbs empty and a GVWR of 13,500. I figure the weight as pulled was 11-12K. For an estimated total weight truck and trailer of 19-20K.

Now for the problems I need your advise on.

1) I found out that when I removed the muffler back when it was new crated a terrible DRONE in the cab while pulling the trailer so I need to ad a good non restrictive muffler that will help kill the DRONE.

2) While I had a load leveling Reese hitch i didn't have any form of sway control. At 65 -70 it wanted to start swaying especially when be passed by a semi. So i need a sway control suggestion.

3) I need a little more towing power aqnd was thinking about a Smarty jr?

4) Trans felt like a slush box with poor shift timing and quality even in tow/haul mode. Any suggestions.

One more thing My truck has the towing package but came with regular mirrors so I need a pair of flip out electric/heated mirrors.

Thanks for your time and any help you can give.

 

[DogramTD]

As far as the hitch is concerned, I always used the Equal-i-zer hitch when I had a bumper pull, worked great for sway and load leveling.

 

[aarlucas]

Based on your user name, I assume you tow a lot? I also tow a lot for racing and shows. I found that the sway is more of a product of tongue weight than anything else. I also use a weight distributing hitch but I have the sway control device too. However, I have never even installed the sway control device. I found that the distribution kit and proper loading in the trailer took away all sway. Another thing that helps is the longer bed too. My truck is a long bed. My last truck was a Ram2500 and the difference between the SRW and DRW is night and day for towing as well.



On a side note, do you have a barracuda? I have a 70 cuda440-6 and a 1971 AA/FC.



Rick

 

[GCroyle]

Might want to post this on Towing & Hauling section of TDR.



Good luck.

 

[CToney]

Get a smarty Jr for added towing performance. If your truck is just a 2500 add a set of Timbren SES to the suspension. Easy install half the price of air bags. They will firm up your suspension under load. Add a big donaldson muffler. Do a search on donaldon mufflers and find the right part #'s.

 

[gathomas]

My suggestion concerning your Transmission - Change it out and install Amsoil synthetic ATF. Don't take it to a shop that uses a "Machine" to pump out the old fluid & pump in the new, they never drop the pan so that you can inspect it and change the filter, not to mention adjusting the bands.

Also I'm not convinced that the converter gets completely changed out with that system.

Amsoil has info on how to change fluid the old fashioned way... or contact me.

BTW I'm not trying to sell you anything - it's your truck, your call...

 

[mpaulson]

Your tires on the truck may very well be one of your biggest culprits. I don't know anything about your particular tires, but if the side walls are to soft, they will cause the problems that you are having. I went from the stock americtrac tires to good year silent armours and regretted every mile of it. Even though they were rated the same as the oem tires, they sucked. Even with duals on the truck, the back end of the truck would squirm on the road. All you have to do is stand beside the back of your truck and push on the side of the truck and watch your sidewalls on the back of the truck and see how much the bulge squirms side to side. Air them up to 80 psi and add airbags or timbrens and use a weight distributing hitch.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Based on your user name, I assume you tow a lot? I also tow a lot for racing and shows. I found that the sway is more of a product of tongue weight than anything else. I also use a weight distributing hitch but I have the sway control device too. However, I have never even installed the sway control device. I found that the distribution kit and proper loading in the trailer took away all sway. Another thing that helps is the longer bed too. My truck is a long bed. My last truck was a Ram2500 and the difference between the SRW and DRW is night and day for towing as well.



On a side note, do you have a barracuda? I have a 70 cuda440-6 and a 1971 AA/FC.



Rick

Well I ran a 67 SG barracuda for years. Sold it to pay fr my daughters wedding. No regrets, I have a fine son in law. I have one year till I retire and have been collecting alot of parts for the next race car, a NSS A 68 540 Dart.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Your tires on the truck may very well be one of your biggest culprits. I don't know anything about your particular tires, but if the side walls are to soft, they will cause the problems that you are having. I went from the stock americtrac tires to good year silent armours and regretted every mile of it. Even though they were rated the same as the oem tires, they sucked. Even with duals on the truck, the back end of the truck would squirm on the road. All you have to do is stand beside the back of your truck and push on the side of the truck and watch your sidewalls on the back of the truck and see how much the bulge squirms side to side. Air them up to 80 psi and add airbags or timbrens and use a weight distributing hitch.

Well the tires are BFG All Terains load range E and I had them at 70 psi. And these are the tires I have always ran on my trucks?

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Based on your user name, I assume you tow a lot? I also tow a lot for racing and shows. I found that the sway is more of a product of tongue weight than anything else. I also use a weight distributing hitch but I have the sway control device too. However, I have never even installed the sway control device. I found that the distribution kit and proper loading in the trailer took away all sway. Another thing that helps is the longer bed too. My truck is a long bed. My last truck was a Ram2500 and the difference between the SRW and DRW is night and day for towing as well.



On a side note, do you have a barracuda? I have a 70 cuda440-6 and a 1971 AA/FC.



Rick

On the tongue weight, I think that may be most of the sway issue. This is a toy hauler so moving the weight is a little harder than most. It does have a generator platform on the tongue and as of yet I haven't bought one yet so that will add 200-300 lbs to the tongue which I'm sure will help.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

What is the Timbren SES ? Thanks for everyones help on this.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Might want to post this on Towing & Hauling section of TDR.



Good luck.

I know I'm dumb but I can't seem to find this section?

 

[GCroyle]

Towing and Hauling

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/towing-hauling-rv-forum/

 

[CToney]

Timbrens are a rubber "spring" that mounts in place of your factory bump stop. They act like overloads only better. Cheaper and easier install compared to air bags. They also need no adjustment like air bags. Go to their website to check them out. I have used them on my last 3 trucks with good results.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Thanks, i'll check it out.