Sway Baby Sway

[buttugly]

Just got back from towing my 20 foot enclosed V nose. When I pass or get passed by large vehicals this thing really sways! Need help?

 

[buttugly]

Originally posted by buttugly:
Just got back from towing my 20 foot enclosed V nose. When I pass or get passed by large vehicals this thing really sways! Need help?

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2001 2500Quad4X4 SB ETC Auto Black Leather Camper Package Loaded Isspro Boost and EGT gauges EDGE EZ DTTVB
1965 Corvette "396" 4 spd VERY FAST

 

[Bob Wagner]

are you using a drop hitch with anti -sway bars #ad


throw us a bone here we are your friends we need more info #ad


[This message has been edited by Bob Wagner (edited 05-20-2001). ]

 

[buttugly]

This is the stock DC hitch NO options. Reciever has a 4-5" drop 2 5/16 ball. Tongue weight is approx. 600 LBS.

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2001 2500Quad4X4 SB ETC Auto Black Leather Camper Package Loaded Isspro Boost and EGT gauges EDGE EZ DTTVB
1965 Corvette "396" 4 spd VERY FAST

 

[Okie-Go]

With a 600 lb tounge weight I wouldn't think you would Need the load leveler bars,they would help though. You need a device called an anti sway bar. You can get them at hitch places. The same kind that work on travel trailers will work on your trailer. For large trailers there are hitches that you can put two sway bars on it. They do help.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red,cab clearance lights, trailer tow package,camper special, lock-right locker, 3. 54 gears,ez edge, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[RustyJC]

A conventional pull trailer should have over 10% of its total weight on the hitch - 12% or more is better. If it's "front end light", it will sway like mad. Of course, with the factory hitch and no weight distributing bars, you're limited to 500 lbs, right? (1000 lb limit with weight distributing hitch. ) Since you didn't mention the total weight of your trailer, I don't know if 600 lb hitch weight gets you there or not. Also, the receiver bar drop should position the trailer as level as possible.

If you still have sway after checking both of these items, you might start looking at a Reese cam-type anti-sway setup, a Pull-Rite or a Hensley Arrow.

Rusty


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96 4x2 Driftwood 3500 Club Cab SLT V-10, automatic, 3. 54 axle, trailer & camper groups, all the 96 goodies, factory CD changer, Reese 14K 5ver hitch, B&M auxiliary trans cooler, 205* fan clutch, Smittybilt side step tubes

Towing a 13,500 lb 36' triple slide 2000 Jayco Designer XL 3610RLTS 5th wheel.

Looking for 2001. 5/waiting to order 2002 bright white/tan leather 4x2 Quad Cab 3500 SLT+ Sport ETH/DEE, 4. 10LS axle

2000 Durango SLT+ 5. 9L, bright white/tan leather, all the goodies (wife's ride)

 

[buttugly]

Thanks... good info. Trailer weight is approx. 5000 lbs. The scary thing is when I pass a semi the trailer wants to suck right into it. Would sway bars help?

 

[RustyJC]

Yep, they should. Don't know if they will get rid of all of it, but they should certainly improve your situation.

(Edit - I'm assuming you're referring to "sway bars" added to your hitch setup, not "sway bars" as in anti-roll bars for the truck. )


Good luck! #ad


Rusty


[This message has been edited by RustyJC (edited 05-21-2001). ]

 

[Okie-Go]

Yes,did you read my post? Sway bars are the same as anti-sway bars. They will definately help keep the trailer behind you instead of the wiggle you have now.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red,cab clearance lights, trailer tow package,camper special, lock-right locker, 3. 54 gears,ez edge, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[Pogodually]

Anti-sway bars / device will certainly help. Had them on two trailers, and the tighter I had them, the better they would control the sway of the trailer. Passing large big rigs I still had some sway, but was not severe. With the weight and size of your trailer you need some type of anti-sway device.
Some devices are bolt on and some require welding.

IMHO

 

[buttugly]

Thanks for the replies... If ya need help someones there!

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2001 2500Quad4X4 SB ETC Auto Black Leather Camper Package Loaded Isspro Boost and EGT gauges EDGE EZ DTTVB
1965 Corvette "396" 4 spd VERY FAST

 

[ARARAR]

Pullrite is the answer.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Hi buttugly
I agree with the anti-sway bars. I saw a Ford towing a "V" nose and just as he was passing a semi the trailer took over control and he almost rolled the whole set-up. The truck - a dually diesel was in one lane and the trailer in the other. The trailer was a heartbeat away from rolling. He got it stopped but I know he was looking for the T-paper.
Happy Trails.

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1993 250 4X2 - Banks Power Pack, BD Power Injectors, K&N Air Filter, 6 gauges and new 15% + pump. 27lbs boost unloaded. Horton fan, NV4500 5 speed and BD Exhaust Brake.

 

[Bob Horrell]

I used to work in the RV Industry and the best hitch by far is one by Lindon Hitch in Utah. It is a combination load leveling and anti-sway hitch. Instead of a chain for the load leveling device they use a solid bar which has to slide on plates when the vehicle turns. This is what also provides the anti-sway and it really works. They have various hitch capacities with the largest at 12,000lbs with a 14,000lb ball. I use one to pull my tractor on a 14,500lb equipment trailer. The tractor on the trailer has a lot of weight up high which can cause a bad towing situation, but with this hitch it is a breeze. Lindon Hitch has been in the business for a very long time and if they would just do some marketing they would own the hitch business, but they have always been a small very service oriented shop with a great product. They are priced about the same as other good hitches.
Hope this helps some. Let me know if you have any other questions about them. I believe their web site is www.equalizerhitch.com

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96 2500 4X4 5sp 4:10 215hp SLT Horton fan,TST plate,AFC spring kit, advanced timing,4"exhaust,GearVendors,BFG 285/75/16 on Mickey Thompson Challenger wheels, K&N, Detroit Locker,50#Boost and Pyro guages, Aluminim flatbed, gooseneck and bp hitches,Helwig air bags with compressor, Helwig sway bar, Rancho 2" front lift w/9000 shocks all around, Preluber w/aircraft hoses,Hytec rear cover,PacBrake,McCleod dual disc clutch,numerous other accessories. Pull 11,000lb aluminum gooseneck horse trlr. and 14,000lb equipment trlr.

[This message has been edited by Bob Horrell (edited 05-22-2001). ]

 

[Forrest]

Agree totally with Bob. I built my own out of pieces of 2 different mfgs anti-sway bars. The solid bars attach farther forward on the tongue than the chain hooks. The upward tension on the chains keeps the side to side tail wagging down. I had sway with just the 750lb equalizer bars. Adding the additional 'keepers' fixed it. #ad
My 1st sway problem was on a curve, downhill, after being passed by a Greyhound. #ad
31' Airstream in tow & large pucker factor.

The mobile home tow guys say 'floor it & apply the trailer breaks'. They are right, straightened it right out. #ad


[This message has been edited by Forrest (edited 05-25-2001). ]

 

[Powder Extreme]

One other VERY important issue that hasn't been mentioned, what tires does the trailer have on it? Anything less than load range E tires will sway with a trailer that big. I used to have a Pace 20ft car hauler, even with equalizers and a sway control (which did help alot) the dang thing would still sway under certain conditions. When I switched to 16" heavy sidewall tires, problem cured. Until then keep a tight grip on them trailer brakes when the fun starts #ad


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2001 Quad Cab Dually, 6 speed ETH, SLT Plus, Isspro Pyro & 50lb Boost, Dual Fuel Pressure Guage, EZ Box, 275 injectors, Banks Power Pack, custom airbox, amsoil dual bypass, 4" DD exhaust, Horton fan, Ceramic clutch, Air Lift airbags.

'94 SLT 4x4 V-10, straight pipes and a K&N (can't find anything else

 

[WCrovo]

Bob is 110% correct. I have towed with the equilizer set-up for over 100,000 miles. It needs to be set up correctly like all hitches. Angle of the ball is important also. My 34 foot TT weighing empty 7,000 lbs tows steady as a rock even at 75 plus passing semis in windy conditions. The hitch is not the only issue. Weight distribution of your load is critical. It takes alittle time to set it up correctly and don't trust the idiots at the RV centers. Once you get the setup dialed in you will love it. Most setups I see are incorrectly installed. I tow over 50,000 miles a year in all types of weather and hiway conditions.

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2001 2500 tow, camper, SWB, ETH/DEE, 3. 54 Bright white,4 wheel discs.