Hey all, I've got a question about my '03 Expy. I am not new to towing, I have towed all kinds of loads with all kinds of vehicles, and have never had any problems. Friday was a different story...LOL First, I guess a little history. I had a '99 Expy that I used to tow my trailer and Jeep around with. I just recently traded it in for an '03 and just now tried to tow with it. It felt a little squirly over 55 or 60, but when I got up to about 70 on the interstate, and passed a big truck, I just plain lost control. The trailer was sliding sideways back and forth, the Expy was going the opposite ways back and forth. Kind of a scary ride...LOL I was able to get it back under control without any harm other than ruining a completely good pair of underwear... I tried to put the jeep on the trailer backwards to see if it helped any, but it just made it worse. I couldn't get over 40 before I would start to lose control. Why am I having problems towing with this Expy, but the 99 did it without a hiccup? They are both 4x4, 5.4 V8, Eddie Bauer, yada yada yada. Pretty much the same vehicle, just different years. Even the same color...LOL I know about the anti-sway bars for the trailers, but why would I need it with the 03 and not the 99? Oh, and it is a dual axle trailer if it helps any. Thanks in advance for the help all!!!

 

Is the tongue of your trailer between level and a slightly forward down pitch?
Are all of the tires properly inflated?
How are the shocks?

 

are the 03's IRS? Don't know if that would cause it, but might account for the difference.

Other than that, it sounds like maybe you didn't have enough tongue weight. That will cause excessive trailer sway like you're talking about, and is confirmed by it getting worse when you swapped the jeep around.

 

To answer the question, the tongue of the trailer is slightly down with a load on it. It is level, or slightly up empty. All tires are the same 65psi in them. No shocks, just springs. The shocks on the Expy are stock (35,000 miles on em). I would have to look to see if it is IRS, I'll do that tomorrow. As for the tongue weight, it is the same as when I pulled it with the other Expy. It is the same trailer, same jeep, positioned in the same spot. It is just a different tow vehicle, but the same kind.... I'm kinda stumped.

 

All things considered, I'd have to say the problem has to do with excessive winds that day, or hitch height. The height of the hitch off the ground between the 99 and this 03 could be different. As far as the winds go, it was interesting that you had an even harder time controlling the setup when you attempted to pass that truck and were exposed to bow winds.

 

You may have to invest in a "Sway Control" device. Check with a RV dealer. The big ones have these things in stock and can advise about the sway problem and the Sway Control device installation.

 

It has IRS. The stock Conti's are garbage for towing. Lot's of sidwall flex. I tow my TT which weighs around 8,300 loaded for camping. I use a reese dual cam for weight distribution that also keeps the sway in check. I think it is a fine tow vehicle for my needs

 

I tow an approx 6000 lb boat/trailer on my '06 without issue (without a weight dist. hitch). I get some squat in the rear, but the control is perfect at any speed up to 75 or so. It sounds as if the weight distribution of your trailer and/or tongue weight is off. Even though you had no problems in your previous Expy, the new one will be different due to a completely diff suspension setup.
It's not out of the question your shocks need replacement either since it is a 5 yr old vehicle. All of the F150's and Explorers I've had all needed new shocks within 3 years of new and no more than 36K miles. I think my Expy needs them too and I'm sitting at 38K.