I have read some threads and you guys have mentioned having the RAS system. I checked out the website yesterday and I also came across another company. Check out www.timbren.com. Has anybody heard of this company or used them?

We just recently purchased a 24' Ttravel Trailer and pulled it for the first time a couple of weeks ago and now know what you guys talk about regarding the soft springs. I had some wonder in the front. I am trying to decide what system to go with. I really don't want to do the spring swap at this time. I like the ride in the Excursion during non-towing. I have rode in an F250 pickup and it feels like riding in a dump truck.

Oh, our EX is a 2001 V10 4wd. No mods at this time. We have only had the truck for a few months. Probably will be pruchasing the Rancho 9000's and hellwig sway bar.

 

RAS is going to do a lot more than timbren.

The Hellwig will help a lot, but it does hurt the ride quality. I have stiff springs and the Hellwig and my truck feels like a dump truck, when it was stock it felt more like a Lincoln. I have talked with the people at RAS and they assured me it would take some of the bounce out.

 

I had the Timbren's on my F250. When loaded they will ride like a dump truck. Unloaded you will never need them. With that said... they are no where near the technology or application of the RAS. The 9000's are the way to go. When towing adjust them to 9 (max clockwise) for a stiff, but controlled ride.

You state that you have a 24' TT. How heavy is your TT? Do you have a weight distribution hitch on it? Do you have any sway control devices on it? Tire pressure is another thing to look at both on the X and the TT.

 

So I should do the 9000's and the RAS system? Dry wright of trailer is 4181, GVWR is 5500 and hitch weight is 663.

 

I am in a similar boat. I have a 6k TT that I towed with the X for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Mine also wanders. My WD hitch is "not" setup correctly, so I believe that is what I will be doing first. I also plan to adjust my steering box (CLOCKWISE, thanks Snow) very soon. I am with you and don't really want to change out springs. I don't want my X taller if it is not necessary.

I am a cheapskate (frugal) and will "almost" always try to figure out the least expensive way to get something done. With that much weight, I would highly recommend a WD (weight distribution) hitch. The 9000's will help, but you really have to address the problem first. The X should ride level. If the nose is in the air then you will amplify the wandering problem. The "properly installed" WD will take care of the leveling problem. Once that is addressed then you can try to figure out why the front wanders. You can try reading through this list of links: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post6722938

 

I'd get the Hellwig also... It does hurt the ride because of the way it connects the suspension but you can't argue with the results.

The reason it hurts the ride is that it connects both sides of the suspension together so if you hit a bump with one rear wheel it feels like you hit it with both rear wheels.

 

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I do have a WD hitch. I also do not think it is setup properly. I got it from my dad. He used it when I was a kid and they had a TT. It does not have an adjustable ball on it. It was custom welded to meet the height of the trailer when level. He pulled the TT with an 89' ford F250 with the 410 in it. So his old truck and my Excursion is not set up too differently. The rear end of his pickup probably setup alittle more than my EX. I think I need to adjust the torsion bars alittle more to get the truck level. I do not have a sway bar. I don't really have a sway problem. The trailer tracked quite nicely.

 

I would try to get your front end down or a least level. The RAS will help with that, but I would still work on the WD hitch. See if this helps. They also have some helpful videos.

Common Weight Distribution and Sway Control Questions | etrailer.com

 

kconrad,

You are not that far from me...I am up in Fort Wayne...if we need to get together to try and figure this out...that could be our last resort.

If you have NOT attempted to set up the hitch via the fender height method...that should be your FIRST approach.

Basically do this.

1) Measure the height of your FRONT fender wheel well (go for the center highest most point)...measure from the ground up...measure it withOUT your trailer hitched up.
2) Hitch up your camper but do NOT latch up the WD bars...remeasure the front height of the fender well...very likely it will go UP
3) Latch up your WD bars...remeasure your front fender height...it should MATCH what you had in #1 above...
3a) If the height in #3 is HIGHER than in #1...you need more weight transfer from your WD bars...you can do this by 1) taking more links OUT OF tension or 2) tilting the head of your hitch head downward...
3b) If the height in #3 is LOWER than in #1 (unlikely)...you need to reduce the weight transfer

Continue to iterate #3 with the chains and hitch head tilt until the weight transfer gives you a fender height EQUAL to that in #1...then you will at least be CLOSE on the weight transfer...

Also you nee dot know if the front end of your Ex is solid...ball joints, steering box, tie rods as well as the tire pressures you are running.

For a trailer with a GVWR of 5500#'s...that should cause NO ISSUES what so ever for an Excursion...NONE...

Going to a CAT scale after you do the fender height measurement method will confirm all your weights.

I towed my previous 7500# 27' TT with my Ex with a Dual Cam hitch and a Hellwig rear sway bar added to my Ex...it wasn't until I went to the 9000# 31' TT that I felt I needed the RAS or any other rear spring assist device...I would be very surprised to find you need any rear end spring assitance with your current trailer...

I bet your WD isn't adjusted properly or you have something going on in the front end...just my $0.02...

Start with getting the WD dialed in, add the rear Hellwig and get the front end checked out.

Also what are your tire pressures you are running?...when I had 80psi in my tires...it felt like I was on ICE...I run 60 front and 70 rear...but I have 1100#'s+ of tongue weight...that is twice the tongue of your TT...sure you "should" get better mpgs with higher psi...but in my experience...you are sacrificing stability with the higher pressures too...

Joe.

 

Joe,

This is all great info, however, my hitch head is not adjustable at all. The one I am using was custom welded so the height is what it is. I haven't measured the trailer yet but I know the measurement in the fender measurement will go down. So my last trip I was trying to compensate with the torsion bars but I am close to running out of chain links which I know is not the proper way. I think I need to buy an adjustable hicth head with shank and start from there.

 

I have seen several on Craigslist pop up. Good luck in your hunt.

 

Since the hitch head is welded...I understand you can only tweak via the WD bars...and if you are running out of links...you could likely have too light of WD bars for your setup...are the bars stamped at all with their rating?

You can buy a brand new Equal-I-zer brand hitch which gives you very secure sway control in addition to WD functions for $450... with free shipping...

Equal-i-zer Hitch 1000/10000lbs Trailer Weight - RVWholesalers.com RV Parts

 

I found a company here just west of of me that has an entire husky system for $350. It is rated at 1200lbs. I am going to look at it on Saturday. I think this may be the cheapest route at this point. I will keep you all posted.

 

Everything said so far is good advice. I have a Airstream 25 ft and it weighs close to 8,000 loaded that I tow w/ my 4WD 7.3L EX. I am fully modified however but have little to no issues of any kind (wander, height, etc.). Check my signature for the modes but I did use RAS to "stabilize' the rear end for wander & height as well as the Hellwig. Search my handle for various results re RAS.

My tongue weight is over 900 Lb and I have leveled the truck out with the hitch (1200 lb bars) and the RAS (my second set) provides a good ride empty and great support while towing.

X-Hemi is spot on. Do the hitch set-up first and it will give you significant info upon which to make further decisions. The EX is an absolute Awesome tow platform when set up correctly.

Safe Towing and Travels, D

 

I am confident that husky system will not have any sway control and you will also have tax on top of that $350...by the time you add a friction sway bar to the Husky...

The Equal-I-zer link I posted above is for a hitch that INCLUDES sway control built in for $450 and is for a far superior hitch (IMO)...

I realize that it is $100 more for the Equal-I-zer...but you should really consider it an investment in the future to help avoid any unforseen issues while towing (sway induced by outside influences)...again...just my $0.02 with your money...but if you notice...I do practice what I preach in that I tow with a $3000 Hensley...do I need it...?...NO...does it make me comfortable knowing I should never have a sway issue...?...YES...Take a long look at the Equal-I-zer before making your decision.

And whatever hitch you get...make sure you get the weight distribution dialed in and verified via a CAT scale.

Good luck,
Joe.