Towing sway question
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Jonesboro, La
Towing sway question
Hi there my first question and thread been a lurker for several months and want yall to know theres been a lot of answers from this fourm with cop problems but all fixed for right now. I have a 2002 limited 4 x 4 with V- 10 that has 206,xxx miles. Just got back from 900 mile trip to Grand Isle, LA with wife and 30 ft tt for our 25th anniversary. I noticed a lot more sway than normal after new 33" mud tires is there a after market sway bar / link system yall recomend
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Tulsa, OK
1) Run max tire pressures when towing.
2) Hellwig sway bar on rear axle is best first investment in solving this problem that all Excursions have.
3) You probably need to rebuild the entire front suspension (ball joints, tie rod ends, track bar, drag link ends, steering box, and track rod).
4) Original springs? Go V/modB for best results.
2) Hellwig sway bar on rear axle is best first investment in solving this problem that all Excursions have.
3) You probably need to rebuild the entire front suspension (ball joints, tie rod ends, track bar, drag link ends, steering box, and track rod).
4) Original springs? Go V/modB for best results.
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From: Jonesboro, La
Tires are Kenda Kleever M/T load range e i had wore out bfg mud terrains before, hitch is a loadleveling with reese dual cam never saw one of these till ii got this trailer seems ti be good i do know that i have alack in front end. Planning a trip to Montana in spring n looking for ideas to work with between now n then
is a BAAAD MAN
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Winston Salem NC
A sway bar would help but I don't have one and use the dual cams with little sway. Are you sure you have the dual cams dialed in properly? It took me a while to dial mine in. Also if you have too much weight in the rear of the trailer it can cause bad sway. You need at least 10% of your weight on the trailer tongue.
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New User
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From: Jonesboro, La
I bought trailer off used car lot n dealer had no idea how to hook up i broght it home n watched a youtube cideo on setting up dual cam but i havent played with it much. Can u get bars to tight
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From: Winston Salem NC
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Jonesboro, La
Thank u i have never had proper instructions on this type of hitch every thing i,ve read said its the beat made. I want to be able ro pull double with small trailer n my motorcycle behind
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Ohio
Here's a pretty good write-up for hitch setup, including a section on Reese specific. Woodalls Open Roads Forum: Towing: Travel Trailer Hitch Set-up Procedure
I prefer to get it close using the measurement method, then verify and possibly tweek using a CAT scale. To do that, you'll weight it 3 times. Once all hooked up with the WD bars, once with the trailer attached and the WD bars off, and once with just the truck. Ideally you want it loaded as you would for travelling. You'll get something like this.
With WD set.
Steer 3400
Drive 4900
Trailer 5680
W/O WD
Steer 2920
Drive 5520
Trailer 5540
Truck alone
Steer 3440
Drive 3920
You want the steer axle to be just about the same without the trailer as it is with the trailer attached and the WD hooked up.
As mentioned, tongue weight is VERY important. Not enough and it will cause sway. You want minimum 10% of the trailer weight, and I prefer more like 12-15%. Some trailers require very careful loading to get that part right.
Next consideration is tire pressure. Some advocate running 80 PSI all the way around. That can make it twitchy depending on the tire. You may wish to try different pressures and see what feels best. I personally run 70r/60f towing.
I prefer to get it close using the measurement method, then verify and possibly tweek using a CAT scale. To do that, you'll weight it 3 times. Once all hooked up with the WD bars, once with the trailer attached and the WD bars off, and once with just the truck. Ideally you want it loaded as you would for travelling. You'll get something like this.
With WD set.
Steer 3400
Drive 4900
Trailer 5680
W/O WD
Steer 2920
Drive 5520
Trailer 5540
Truck alone
Steer 3440
Drive 3920
You want the steer axle to be just about the same without the trailer as it is with the trailer attached and the WD hooked up.
As mentioned, tongue weight is VERY important. Not enough and it will cause sway. You want minimum 10% of the trailer weight, and I prefer more like 12-15%. Some trailers require very careful loading to get that part right.
Next consideration is tire pressure. Some advocate running 80 PSI all the way around. That can make it twitchy depending on the tire. You may wish to try different pressures and see what feels best. I personally run 70r/60f towing.
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