Today I was towing my tent trailer in to get some service work done. While driving up there, doing about 65 mph, the trailer all of a sudden started swaying HARD!! I think I came really close to losing control. It seemed to almost jump to the other lane, so I pulled off onto the shoulder, thinking I must have lost a sway bar. NOPE...it was still there! Everything seemed fine, so I'm not really sure what to think. I used to tow the same trailer with my 2000, and didn't have a problem. In fact on the same freeway, I noticed I was at almost 90, (with the 2000), and it was going straight as an arrow. I'm sure the 2003 is capable, but concerned as to why this happened. Nothing out of the ordinary, like cross wind or passing a semi or anything like that. In fact I was slowing down approaching a construction area. Could it have anything to do with the different suspension setup of the 03? One other thought, was that since I've heard some less than stellar reviews of the stock Continentals....just wondering if it could have anything to do with them? I used to have Michelin LTX M&S on my 2000. I know this may be hard to diagnos online, but just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this, or might have some ideas??

 

I don't think it is a truck problem if your tire pressures in the rear are equal and adequate. It seems to be a trailer problem.

If the balance of the trailer were marginal, meaning not having 10 to 12% of the trailer weignt on the tongue, then a sudden change in speed can change the height of the tow vehicle hitch, causing a shift in the center of gravity of the trailer, when then can result in sway when the wind is applied in a different area than normal.

Also any shift of position in cargo weight in the trailer.. water, furniture, supplies, clothes, etc. could drastically effect a marginal tongue loading.

Also, if you had bikes or other cargo on the rear of the trailer that affected the aerodynamics , it can cause big time sway, even if it's light weight and the trailer is well balanced.

If you had sway bars on, and it swayed badly, then you need to tighten those suckers!

Since this was a sudden and unusual event for youi with the same vehicle and trailer, I suggest you look above for your answer, given that your trailer and vehicle tires are inflated to normal pressures, whcih for towing is the maximum rating molded into the side wall for the trailer and vehicle rear tires.

Hope this helps.

 

I had the same problem towing a 6500#, 24' travel trailer. Found the Continential tires the truck came with had sidewalls too soft for towing. They allow too much side-to-side movement. I think the independent rear suspension has something do do with it, too.

My remedies were: BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A's rated at 6 ply (load range C). Stiffer sidewalls = stiffer ride, but not by much, and
sway controller on the tounge.

Now I can do 65 with the trailer and not worry about anything but the CHP.

Hope this helps.

 

Interesting responses (and much appreciated). I do have the trailer a little lighter than normal. I took a bunch of stuff out of the front storage area, since I'm taking it to the dealer, to be left there for a week or two. Plus my camping season is over for the year. I did mention the problem to the RV place, and they too were a bit puzzled. When I go pick it up, they are going to check the sway bars, to make sure they are ok. When I hitched up with my 2000, I would have to raise my trailer as high as it would go to get the (friction) bars on. Now with the 2003, and a little lower ride height I don't seem to have to raise it near as high to get the bars on....but they "seem" to be on there firmly. I just want to exhaust all options before doing something unnecessarily! Although I wouldn't mind getting different tires, since I have heard some "less than stellar" reviews on the Conti's! Hey TSDRALLYER.....I see you've listed you have the Dueler Revos. How do you like them? I've heard a lot of good things about them. Maybe I can justify to the wife that it's the tires!! 8-)

 

mm7759,
I've got 10K miles on these and no noticeable wear. They are the best all round, all surface, all season tire I"ve seen in over 50 years of driving hard and fast on and off road. I've used Michelin since 1960 but switched last year to the Revos and was amazed at how well they perform in every kind of weather and condition. Quiet, tough, rock steady at 100mph, or 25mph on pure ice. I very highly recommend them.

 

Couple things - if you did in fact reduce the weight forward of the trailer axle by unloading items that have normally been there as ballast, it's safe to say that your sway issue was absolutely caused by inadequate tongue weight.

Another factor involved is any difference in the height of the hitch receiver between your old truck and your new one. If the new truck is higher or lower than the old one, the level of the trailer is different when towing. If the trailer is not towing level, you increase the potential for instability.

As for tires, I have the Contitrac TRs. Towed my #5500 travel trailer from Mississippi to northern Ohio and back this summer without much issue. Just pump 'em up to maximum pressure, and it should be fine for the load you're pulling.

Would LT tires be better for towing? Sure. Will they be better for normal driving (which for me is about 80% of the miles I drive)? Not particularly...

 

Everyone...thanks for the feedback. After seeing all the posts, and some other studying, I think it has to do with the height of the new hitch. I think it actually sits a little lower, so the bars are not giving the correct friction needed to prevent sway. I'm almost willing to bet that once we get that adjusted we'll be ok.

Also TSDRALLYER......thanks for the input on the tires. As soon as I'm able to convince the wife, I think I'd like to give the Revos a shot! Seems like you've had your fair share of experience with tires! If they can handle what you say....should be plenty good for Colorado winters (and summers)! Thanks again everyone!

 

I tow a 24ft Hybrid with my 03 Expy, I use the Equalizer sway one piece hitch from Lindon Hitch ! Next Hitch down from the Hensley. The HP is fine but it starts feeling a little unstable above 65mph. My thought is the 119in wheelbase. As I am still having issues with this vehicle, A/C and Electronics and have just started
the arbitration process. I may try to end up with a 04 F150 screw, but am a little afraid of being another design and engineering experiment. I also changed tires to Goodyear ATX because I didn't like the Contrac's stopping and handling characteristics.

I got the EXPY to haul our family and 2-3 of their friends camping, but after towing with it, a Pickup would have been a better choice, no doubt.