So should I move the weight around. ( the answers are in the quote),
Nick

 

Nick,

Okay since you are having severe swaying issues with the trailer empty and configured as it came from the manufacture, then something in the axle or tongue geometry is more than likely messed up.

First thing i would do is make an appointment with your RV dealer and take the empty trailer and truck back to the RV dealer and road test it with them. Then tell them to fix the problem or give you a new trailer. Any trailer that sways from the manufacture is unsafe and needs to be corrected ASAP. If per chance the RV dealer insalled a flip kit on the axles they may have done this incorrectly.

Once the trailer tows properly empty then you can work on balancing the load you add.

IMO do not load and use this trailer until it will tow and track properly empty.

 

The delar is 1,000 miles away. We have never towed empty before. I forgot it had a full tank of water,
Nick

 

Nick, Sorry didn't get back to you sooner, Just got home from work. You have received some very good advice in the posts above. You have got to remember before you can do anything to even attempt to correct this problem is start from step one. I worked for an RV dealer for almost 5 years, installing hitches, doing anything needed to the trailers and motorhomes and even built trailers for hauling race cars, motorcycles, and equipment. If you want to contact me I work from noon to midnight. I am usually up by 8am. I check my emails and stuff and try to hit the sack by 1:30. Depending what machine I am running I can sometimes hear my cell rang at work, and could call you over my lunch. If there is a true problem with the trailer then you can talk to th dealer about another unit. You cannot just go back and demand he gives you another one.I am sure there is a way to get my cell number to you with out sending it worldwide but I am just about spent tonight. If I canfigure it out in the morning I will do it then. I have set up 30 to 40 trailers that are towed without any sway bars. I think that we should be able to help yours. Later, Skip

 

Nick, It seems to me by the picture you have included in your Avatar that the front end of the truck is riding high. My experience is that if you play with the distrution bars to move the wieght towards the front axle you will see a hanlding difference.

With an unladen truck take a tape measure and measure the top of the wheel well by the front tire and the back. Attach your trailer and draw bars and measure it again. If they are set up correctly you should not see more than a 1 or 2 difference front to back. Also, be sure the overall trailer has a balance look, not too high or low in front. Keep adjusting the chains and ball if needed. Remember, crank the tralier post up so you are actually lifting the truck with it and then attach the chains. This is a no cost fix so be sure to try it, what do you have to lose?

Also, I drag a heavy 21ft Ragen behind me and have a Draw-Tight Sway bar that I adjust for primarily for windy conditions. It does help when the air dam form those 18 wheelers pushes you.

 

It still shouldn't sway like that with only the water tank full.

Did you pick it up at the dealer and drive it home empty, how did you get the trailer home?

First thing you need to do is get it setup towing empty, then add weight and balance it.

See if you can find a reputable RV place close to were you live and take it to them, demonstrate the problem and then see if they can help you correct it.

Other thing you need to do is find a CAT scale close by and go weigh your truck and empty trailer so you can have a base line of axle weights and total weight. This will help you in setting up the balance. CAT scales only charge about $10 for you to weigh your rig.

 

Skip,

Click on Nicks user name and select send PM, then send him your cell number this way and it will not be posted for the world to see.

 

I used to have trailer sway really bad tell i quit drinking..

Ray

 

It does appear that the truck is nose high and the trailer is low on the nose. That will cause swaying.

Also, hard to tell from the picture, but have the trailer axles been flipped on that trailer to raise it up? If so, that raises the center of gravity and can cause some spooky handling.

 

Your WW trailer, very similar to my FSC 2800, has dual 75 gallon water tanks mounted forward of the axles. If they are full, 1,250 pounds of water, and the trailer is empty then you're tongue weight is way too high, especially if the trailer is not towed perfectly level.


You may want to check the axle U-bolts/nuts to ensure they are tight.

Where do you live in Kali? There's a WW service center in Montclair off the 10 freeway at Mountain, just East of the 57 freeway.

I have a Hensley Arrow on my trailer and it works very well. The 1,400# load bars are adjustable so I can easily compensate for the load in the trailer including the water tanks. It also practically eliminates trailer sway when passing or being passed by big rigs on the highway. It's expensive but I love the way it handles my trailer.

 

The picture in the avtar is my other truck towing it not the one the usaly tows it. The white truck is the 00 the one that tows is is the 04 in my galery.
Nick

 

Yes the trailer axles have been flipped from the factory. Tonight i will go take pic of the trailer and put the in my gallery for you to see,
Nick

 

I might be able to call you tomorrw is that good mambe aroun 2 let me know,
Nick

 

Could the trailer axles be to far fowar from the factory,
Nick

 

Axle location is determined by the loaded CG of the trailer when the engineer designs it. It is possible that the axles are in the wrong location, but generally the manufactures use a jig to locate components and so it is highly unlikely they are placed incorrectly on your trailer unless this is a common problem with this trailer.

One thing you can check on your axles is measure back from the same point on the front of the trailer to each axle on each side to determine if the axles are mounted square to the frame and tracking properly.

I notice you said the axles were flipped, did the manufacture flip the axles at the factory or did the RV dealer flip the axles? Reason i ask is when the axles are flipped the orientation of the axle must be manintained as the axles are cambered and if the axle orientation is changed and the camber is wrong it will cause handling problems.

If you have not done it yet hook up your trailer and weigh your truck and trailer empty at a CAT scale to get baseline axle weights and total weight. This will help you set up your trailer. You are then going to want to weigh your truck and trailer when fully loaded and ready to go, to determine proper axle loads and balance.