I know the topic of wandering has been covered, so sorry to bring it up again. But, I have searched my a$$ off and read a lot of posts and I still have problems. Here is what I have, 2001 7.3 PSD, 106,000 miles, Uniroyal Laredo tires. I have installed KYB heavy duty shocks, Helwig sway bar, and adjusted my steering box. All of which helped tremendously with the wandering. However, I just bought a 7000 lb travel trailer and had it on the interstate for the first time today. It was scary to say the least. Anything over 60mph starts the truck weaving terribly. It actually feels like the body is moving over the chassis. I have load distribution bars, but I do not have a trailer sway control yet, so that may be my next move. I have read a lot about installing f250 springs. So, is that the way to go? Can they be found used?, What does it usually cost to replace the springs? And, does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

I have spent money on steering stabilizers and air bags and new tires and mine still wanders too! Don't go out and spend lots of money it's just the nature of the Ex. I improved mine somewhat by tilting the tongue down slightly instead of having the trailer level while towing. I have considered doing the dually conversion but that will cost 3-4 k..........I still get pushed around by semi's and other RV's that pass by...........

 

Have you checked the ball joints and front end alignment? after I installed my Hellwig, the X now drives and tows like it should!

 

That sounds more like a tongue weight issue to me. What is your actual tongue weight? It needs to be within 10 to 15 % of the actual loaded trailer weight. If the tongue weight is too light, the trailer will weave all over the place, getting worse as you go faster. Te other thing is tongue angle. Is the tongue and trailer frame level when hooked up? If not, it can also cause weaving issues.

I can show you how to weigh the tongue with a bathroom scale and some boards if you need.

 

Housedad, I would appreciate the tongue weighing procedure. This is my first TT. The only other things I have towed have been utility trailers. I had a Reese WD hitch which came with the trailer (bought it used) that had hollow tube hitch. The first time I used it, the ball leveling pin actually broke through the hitch tube. I went to a camper dealer and he talked me into buying a whole new WD system and hitch. It is the round bar system with a 1000# capacity. It could be that I don't have it set up correctly. So I have to play with it some. I have been reading a lot about air bags on the rear, so I may go that route if I people in this forum think it is a good way to go.

 

017.3-

Search again, "landyot radius rods"

...and not just here.

Installing them stops Excursions from wandering.

The stuff you already did is fine and good, but the radius rod upgrade
actually cures the disease, the other stuff you have done only helps reduce the symptoms.

Enjoy your new ride!


Quietman
www.roenation.com
2005 EXCURSION LIMITED-options (everything) equipped Eddie Bauer edition 4X4 PSD
4" FabTech lift/level, Bilstein $$ mono-gas shocks, Rancho Steering Stabilizer
Silverstar 9005 fog and H13ST headlights + wiring mod to run high beam and fogs together,
BFG 315/75/16 AT KO's on Factory Mags, 22" front and 18" rear rain-x wipers,
LANDYOT Generation II Radius Rods, Ford factory hood insulator, Mojave Pin-Striping

 

Since your new to TT`s check out www.rv.net go to the towing forum! you will get more than you will ever need regarding towing and setting up a WD hitch. I would also recomend adding a Dual Cam sway control to your existing WD hitch setup.

 

The following is a good image and instructions posted by Barney S over on RV.net. Copy the image to your hard disk and print it.







Another description is available at the Curt Manufacturers site:

http://www.curtmfg.com/index.cfm?event=pageview&contentpieceid=1347



Tongue Weight


(TW) The downward force that is exerted on the hitch ball by the coupler. The tongue weight will vary depending on where the load is positioned in relationship to the trailer axle(s). To measure the tongue weight, use either a commercial scale or a bathroom scale with the coupler at towing height. When using a bathroom scale with heavier tongue weights, use the method shown and multiply the scale reading by 3.

 

that sounds like alot of trailer to pull without sway control. I would also suggest the dual cam setup before making anymore changes to the Ex. although I don't think it will work with the round bars. It is definitely worth the upgrade to the trunnion bars. The friction control systems might help, but not near as much as the dual cam setup.

 

The friction based anti-sway hitch rigs are death on wheels! Think about it.

The friction device (usually a break-pad gadget) is applying a resistance making it harder to modify the angle between the tow vehicle and the trailer.

So, when a dear jumps out, an accident occurs, someone slams on their brakes in front of you and you crank the wheel around to try and swerve to avoid it, you have to fight the resistance applied by the anti-sway device to change the direction of the tow vehicle.

Now that you have successfully changed the direction of the vow vehicle there is only one problem left - you are probably aimed at the side of the road/median/lane divider/concrete wall, and must again overcome the friction of the anti-sway device to right your vehicle to the road. Lots of accidents happen this way. Either because the friction device won't allow the initial correction, or because it restricts the recovery correction.

Dual cam systems (I use Hensly's Arrow but have no association with them - just a happy customer) provide no resistance when the tow vehicle tries to change the angle relative to the trailer, but doesn't let the trailer sway or "drive" the tow vehicle at all. Period.

My opinion - based on lots, and lots, AND LOTS of towing miles.

 

I agree with emptyd and x-70stang-f150. With a trailer that size Reese DC, Equalizer, Henesly(sp) or better is a must. rv.net is the place to get all of your answers.

 

The funny thing is, I took off the Reese DC and put on the round bars. DOH. I hadn't read up on it at that point and didn't know the difference. My dad and other campers I have seen have all used the friction sway controllers and I thought that was the only way to do it. I wondered why the Reese hitch didn't have a place to install the friction sway control. I will hopefully be getting some Landyot radius rods this weekend and am also getting a tow savvy neighbor to help me set up my hitch as I don't think I have it set correctly. I appreciate all the help you guys have given me. Always open to suggestions.

 

I really doubt if there is too much that NEEDS to be changed on the truck. The Ex is a really good & stable tow vehicle in my experience. My last trailer was only 5k lbs, but I used the DC system and 1 friction sway control together. I could pull that at 75 and 80 mph if I wanted to. But I also wonder if you did not have the WD set up correctly, i.e. too much or not enough tongue weight. When you snap up the spring bars the truck should settle evenly front to rear and the trailer should be level also.

 

017.3Ex,


A lot of GREAT information shared with you so far. I will add that what you have done to the Ex so far is right on par with what many of us have had to do to bring out the true towing vehicle this beast CAN be but Ford chose to screw up with those girly man springs!

It certainly sounds as if your WD setup needs adjustment and/or as housedad points out your tongue weight may be too low too.

Here is an EXCELLENT post on the "proper" setup of your WD using a tape measure.

http://www.campingworld.com/cforum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17730894.cfm

Ideally the only true way to tell is to hit a scale...but the above sticky gets you there...or at least close enough...some vehicles are harder to know for sure because of the front bump stops...your HEAVY PSD up front may be hitting the stops...but you can easily tell that too.

For you, ANY sway control will be better...but FIRST I think you need to get the TT towing straight...the sticky above I posted should get you to where you need to be from a "proper" balance standpoint. From there, the sway control will only improve things.

I am a HUGE fan of the DC. If you have the round bars...there is a bolt on kit out there that you can add to your bars. The moderator (Barney) on Open Roads Forum in the link above can help you out for that one...as I believe he did the upgrade himself...and if not him, LAdams (TT moderator) can help over there too...just tell them crappie_fisherman sent you!

As far as air bags...well I have them...I added them to shore up the paultry springs that Ford puts in the rear...BUT with a 7000# TT and an average sized family...the WD SHOULD be doing all the leveling you need...I added them since my new TT has such a heavy tongue...and now with the Hensley it is actually worse!

I would hold off on air bags for now...get the WD set up properly.

What pressure are you running in your tires on both Ex and TT?

What or who or how much weight are you carrying IN the Ex with you?

How LONG is your TT?

My experience with the Ex and my old 30' ball to bumper 7500# TT last year in near 7000 miles of towing thru varied terrain (Rockies, Big Horns) and weather (strong cross winds, etc) was very pleasurable and relaxed. The Ex CAN be an amazing TV with some help. IMO as is others...the Hellwig is one of the BEST improvements you can make. The radius rods I've heard are good too...

Follow the above WD setup first to get that balance. Then if your TT is OVER 25'...a DC is a must (IMO)...

Let us know how we can help.

Good luck

joe.

 

AN Excurions is not a sports car. An Excursion with a heavy trailer on back that has a lot of "wind sail" (such as my big car hauling box trailer) is DEFINITELY not a sports car.

My Excursion DEFINITELY has less - MUCH less side-sway then when towing the same loads with our 2500 series ( translation - 3/4 ton) Suburban ( a '91 - last of the solid axles - first with the computer controlled L80 tranny).

For several years after we sold the Suburban, we bought the ultimate cure for side sway and brake issues. A big diesel "tractor" - a GMC 6500 series, "rated" for 28,000 lbs GVW, 60,000 lbs CGVW. 7 Speed Spicer transmission. Now THAT'S a tow vehicle. NO side-sway - just about ANY grade at whatever speed you have the guts to go.

Have I made my point ? Its like the girls who work the cat-houses will tell you "there aint no substitute for beef...brawn...and cubic inches....".

Why did we sell the GMC & go back to an SUV ? BECAUSE BIG TRUCKS RIDE LIKE BIG TRUCKS ! BIG TRUCKS ARE BIG TRUCKS...SUV's are SUV's. ( is this too tough for some of you to grasp..? )

As I will "post" in another thread about my first towing impressions, given what it is, I am INCREDIBLY pleased with my "new" Excursion. Yes, there is a little side-sway. Yes, I reduced it down to the "annoying" level.

Buttom line, life is choices and compromises. I sure like this one !