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Old 10-05-2015, 02:54 PM   #1
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Tail wagging the dog

We purchased a 2012 28' Cruiser Aire in late August and have pulled it three times recently for weekend camping. We have a 2013 Ford F150 of which has the 3.73 gear ratio and V8 engine. The thing that we've experienced is that the trailer wants to push the truck when at highway speeds. While adding air to the truck and trailer tires and tightening the sway bars has helped, what other suggestions would you have to help alleviate this condition. Typically, when we do tow, the fridge is filled for camping. There is no water being stored in the trailer. Any suggestions would be appreciated. From what I have been told, it's all about the weight distribution. Should we not fill the fridge? or put more weight towards the front of the trailer?
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Old 10-05-2015, 03:48 PM   #2
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We need more info on your truck. What packages you have, weight limits, etc. What model Cruiser Aire? I assume it is a travel trailer not a 5th wheel.
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Old 10-05-2015, 04:23 PM   #3
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tt cause he said sway bar. ...fill your fridge like you want to , that will have nothing to do with it. may want to add weight to front of tt weight dist hitch should compensate for the extra weight.
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Old 10-05-2015, 05:45 PM   #4
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The truck probably has 'P' tires, replace them with 'LTs'. Replace your current hitch system with a Hensley Arrow or ProPride system. Anything less than these two changes may work, but still second rate.
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Old 10-05-2015, 07:18 PM   #5
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What hitch system are you using?
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Old 10-06-2015, 06:46 AM   #6
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Thank you for your replies. I will look into the tires. Unfortunately, the truck only has 8900 miles.

The F150 is an extended cab 4x4. The gear ratio of 3.73 allows a total towing capacity of 9450 lbs. The trailer is a 28' TT with slide outs on both sides. When we brought the trailer home from the dealership, it towed fine. We hooked the chains to the sway bars as the dealership advised on our first trip. This is when we felt the sway effect of the trailer. We then changed the chain connection by two links and it pulled better. Then after filling the tires of the truck some, it helped even more. While the truck is fairly stable, it still seems to move when at highway speeds. We'll try shifting more weight to the front of the trailer and see if we have any improvement. Thanks again
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Old 10-06-2015, 07:24 AM   #7
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The chains are connected to the weight distribution bars that will raise or lower the front of the TT when you change links. (nothing to do with sway). The sway bar is the one with the tightening handle and the 2 smaller balls on the end. (I hope you have one of these.)
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Old 10-06-2015, 07:46 AM   #8
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Chris can you take and post pictures of your setup? It sounds like you are describing a Weight Distribution System but with out more specifics, its had to tell if it includes sway control. Not all of them do.
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Old 10-06-2015, 08:19 AM   #9
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Adding air bags could also help with a stabler ride. It doesn't technically increase your towing capacity but will take some of that sway away.
Great point above about LT tires. This too will help stabilize, but make sure you fill the existing tires to the max...probably 44#'s so so.
The reality is that the tow vehicle is pretty maxed out and an upgrade could help fix these issues.
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Old 10-06-2015, 08:33 AM   #10
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If you want to add something for stabilizing, check out Roadmaster Active Suspension. It levels and helps keep the truck from swaying. Check it out Roadmaster Active Suspension Kits | Helper Springs | Overload Springs
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Old 10-06-2015, 12:48 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dayle1 View Post
The truck probably has 'P' tires, replace them with 'LTs'. Replace your current hitch system with a Hensley Arrow or ProPride system. Anything less than these two changes may work, but still second rate.

x2,

I upgraded to PP hitch and drove cross country two years ago. No sway, even in serious windy conditions out west when the semis were dancing in an out of their lanes. Did have "woozy wheels" on the truck..you know, that little bit of play in the TV, so upgraded to 10 ply tires and now, solid as can be.

I don't get anything from the guys at Propride, but the hitch is really amazing.
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Old 10-07-2015, 12:19 PM   #12
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Thanks for everyone's feedback/help. Here is another update.

In regards to the sway bar, we are also using the weight distribution (sway bar) system. I checked the tires and they are Goodyear Wrangler P275/65R18's. Tire pressure is currently between 36-38. So from the sounds of it, I should increase the pressure to 44 or close to. Once we get the trailer hooked up tomorrow (for camping), I will take a picture of our set up, including the brand of our hitch.
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Old 10-07-2015, 04:51 PM   #13
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Yes , go 44#'s . If the truck is new ,there are tire places that will take your newer tires on trade for a new set of LT's. ..Don't have to wait for the tires to wear out.
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Old 10-10-2015, 02:40 PM   #14
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You need to go to the scales.

Without knowing what your tongue weight percentage is you may be wasting time and money trying to correct a basic problem that can be fixed by weight distribution that will not cost any money.

You need to make three passes on the scales.

1. Truck with trailer and WD system active and loaded as if you are ready to travel. Three weights. Truck front axle, Truck rear axle and trailer axles.

2. Same thing except disengage the WD system. Again three weights.

3. Disconnect the trailer and get truck front axle and rear axle.

From this your tongue weight percentage can be calculated.

You can also determine if the WD system is setup correctly.
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Old 10-10-2015, 09:12 PM   #15
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Are your tires P rated? I have never owned a 1/2 ton truck for a reason.
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Old 10-10-2015, 09:38 PM   #16
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Towed 21 foot fleetwood prowler toy hauler with a Chevy suburban tv. Any desel truck would pass me on the freeway the trailor would sway and pull me towards the big trucks. So added 2 sway bars with my distrubition hitch. New adjustable shocks. It's a little better, but when I changed to a 80 psi 10 ply tires all problems solved. No more white knuckles
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Old 10-11-2015, 12:22 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rcflyer View Post
You need to go to the scales.

Without knowing what your tongue weight percentage is you may be wasting time and money trying to correct a basic problem that can be fixed by weight distribution that will not cost any money.

You need to make three passes on the scales.

1. Truck with trailer and WD system active and loaded as if you are ready to travel. Three weights. Truck front axle, Truck rear axle and trailer axles.

2. Same thing except disengage the WD system. Again three weights.

3. Disconnect the trailer and get truck front axle and rear axle.

From this your tongue weight percentage can be calculated.

You can also determine if the WD system is setup correctly.
X2 on this. A trip to the cat scales tells you everything you need to know. Do the 3 passes and the com's back to tell us your weights. What wdh/swaymcontto are you running? Does the trailer sit level when hooked up? How about the truck?
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Old 10-19-2015, 12:13 AM   #18
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I had the same problem with sway. Tried almost everything. Finally installed a set of RAS and now I have no problem with sway at all. Just got back from a Denver to Seattle trip and no problems.
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