I have a 2005 Ex and I am having the notorious wandering problem. I pull a 30' travel trailer and would really like to fix the problem. I've read alot of different ways/ideas on how to fix it on another website, so I thought I'd come to the experts. Is a spring swap to F250 springs the fix-all? I like the idea, but cannot get any information from the Ford dealers around here.

Thanks,
Bart R

 

For me, the spring swap was indeed the cure-all.

Do a search using "wander" as your search word and you'll get tons of reading. If you search back far enough (a little over a year now) you'll find my thread where I've posted about my spring swap.

Do a bunch of reading and you'll find a great write up on the Roadmaster Active Suspension by X_Hemi_Guy.

What was the other website? Was it TDS? If so, the research you do here will basically give you the same answers. If it wasn't TDS, then you might get a different perspective.

As for the dealerships helping on something like this, I'd be surprised if any tech, parts guys, or service department manager even knows about an upgrade like this one.

Stewart

 

Bart, I just answered your PM over at TDS.

Stewart

 

Bart,

I was hoping Stewart would post for you...as he said he did the swap and has been very happy with it.

I never really had any "wander"...and I still actually "wonder" (sorry) if everyone's definition of "wander" is the same.

There are a BUNCH of things that can cause ill handling while towing. Many are related to the tow vehicle and many can be related to the WD setup or even the trailer itself. Let's take a look at some of the potentials I speak of.

First the Ex:

Tires and pressure. Make sure you have Load E tires...some Ex's have been known to have D range...you should run 70+ in the rear when towing and ~65 up front. This helps firm up the side walls. Side wall flex is a HUGE contributor to sway type issues.

Next do you have a REAR sway bar on your Ex? I did NOT and added the Hellwig. Made a HUGE difference for under $200...about 1-2 hours to install yourself...fairly easy.

Steering box ... Here is an excellent thread by dbtx that takes you thru the simple steering box adjustment.

http://https://www.ford-trucks.com/f...-steering.html

What I ended up doing was tightening the steering box about 3/4 turn in 1/4 turn increments until I was happy at the 3/4 number.

Front end ... I ALSO had my front end shop order some aftermarket adjustable camber/caster joints and install them during my front end alignment. The OEM joints do not allow for much if any adjustment in the camber/caster department. I wanted about 3/4 POSITIVE camber...factory they are spec'd at +1/4 +/-3/4 or could be a range of +1 to -1/2. Mine read -1/4 and -1/8 (drivers/passengers). So I was in spec but on the LOW end. For a vehicle to track straight"er" a slightly positive camber is better...or so I have been lead to believe...He ordered the aftermarket ones and dialed me into +3/4 both sides...

With the two things I have done (steering box tighten and camber) the Ex tracks VERY straight even with my 34' 9000# travel trailer behind me...MOST times I only need 1 hand on the wheel...and when on a stretch of road that is safe (i.e. I am alone)...I can remove BOTH hands and simply hold the wheel with my knee and the Ex goes EXACTLY where I need and STAYS exactly where I need...

Ball joints ... this one is highly unlikely as your Ex is an '05 BUT the SD front ends...ball joints in particular are prone to wear out from 40-70K miles...and they are NOT greasable!...you may want to have a front end shop or the dealer confirm all is well up front.


Next lets look at your WD setup:

You have not given any details as to what hitch and sway control you use or how you have adjusted the WD. If you can provide some details on your setup you use that would really help eliminate this as the culprit.

Also if you have any CAT scale numbers of the Ex loaded as ready for camping, and then the Ex as hitched up to a LOADED TT with WD engaged, and finally the Ex as hitched up to a LOADED TT but NO WD engaged. With these three numbers on individual axles we can see if your setup is balanced properly.

Next the trailer itself:

Tires on the TT should be aired up to max allowable on the sidewall.

Tongue weight...If you have the three weights I requested above we can make sure your tongue weight is more than 10%...

Where are your holding tanks located?

Fresh
Gray
Black

Do you haul with fresh water full only TOO the campground?

What is the layout of your trailer. Meaning front, mid, rear kitchen? Do you have a large front pass thru? Each of these configurations of trailers present different tongue weight challenges.

I'm not sure yet if the correlation of MORE wander issues "seems" to afflict PSD Ex's vs the V10 version that I have...the PSD's are 600#'s HEAVIER and I'm not sure if that factors into the equation yet...

Now I've given you WAY MORE than you asked for in your question about springs. My point is that once we determine that you have the setup tweaked and balanced properly...THEN we can look at modifying the Ex.

I went thru a similar situation earlier this year when I purchased my longer and heavier TT. 9000#'s and 34' ball to bumper behind the Ex. It was not a white knuckled ride by any means...I had a verified 15% + tongue weight which should have made for a very stable tow experience. I experienced small wiggles with passing semi's that I have NEVER experienced before. Prior to this TT i had a 30' ball to bumper 7500# TT that I tugged 7000 miles behind THIS SAME Ex with a DC hitch...so I know the truck is up to a little lesser task...but add 4' and things got a little wiggly on me.

Not saying you will need one but I ended up going with a Hensley Arrow hitch. I've seen MANY MANY Ex owners go this route...I tow LONG days and am the ONLY one that drives while towing. I'm talking 12-15 hour days...so I NEED TO BE COMFORTABLE. The Hensley on this LONG trailer behind this Ex has stabilized this setup very nicely...but that comes with a price...$$$...but for me it was worth it to be relaxed while towing...we can talk more about this if need be...it is NOT FOR EVERY SETUP...

So what do we do next. Well my suggestion is to make sure via a certified scale that you have your TT balanced properly with WD and that you have an effective sway control device (i.e. NOT A FRICTION BAR). Once we have that verified we can really begin to talk about your options.

As Stewart mentions I added the RoadMasters to the rear of my Ex. I did that for a couple of reasons. First as you know the rear springs ARE WEAKER on these beasts than the F250/350 they are based on. They SQUAT when you stick 1100#'s + of tongue weight back there plus your family and gear inside the Ex. I tried air bags...for me, I did not like the handling characteristics they gave both towing and not...so I took them off. The RoadMasters do help keep the rear of the Ex from squatting and more level. They are suppose to add ~2000#'s of capacity to the rear springs...I can definitely notice a height difference...for the good. I opted for the RoadMasters as I felt I could do that by myself...I wasn't comfortable with swapping the springs...BUT in hindsight...I think I still have a FRONT issue with the softer springs up there...Nothing white knucked in the 4500 miles I've tugged my 9000# TT this year including the Appalachians...but just enough to let you know.

I seriously believe what I "feel" is the TT is trying to stay straight behind me...and that imparts a moment (twisting type force) on the rear of the Ex which in turn imparts a moment on the FRONT of the Ex...the soft springs, compliance in the bushings, etc...all combine to give that "crabbing" or "yaw" feeling as the front pushes back...again nothing white knuckled and mostly I tow with only one hand on the wheel at the bottom of the wheel...so the Ex is very well behaved and PREDICTABLE in her current configuration...could she be better...well probably...but "better" is usually the enemy of "good enough"!

Sorry for the LONG WINDED typing...but I didn't want to say YES the springs will cure your issue without knowing for sure what your issue really is. Now if you have a good WD hitch and it is balanced properly...and your steering box is tightened up and you have a rear sway bar and your tires are E range aired up properly and you STILL have to make numerous course corrections while towing...well then we can help with the next step!

Let me know if I have confused the living...out of you.

joe.

 

My link above for the steering box adjustment didn't work and I can't edit the post any longer...try this link...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...-steering.html